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Sony A7 III vs Sony A550

Portability
63
Imaging
74
Features
92
Overall
81
Sony Alpha A7 III front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
Portability
63
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58

Sony A7 III vs Sony A550 Key Specs

Sony A7 III
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Raise to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 650g - 127 x 96 x 74mm
  • Revealed February 2018
  • Replaced the Sony A7 II
  • Replacement is Sony A7 IV
Sony A550
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 632g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Launched December 2009
  • Earlier Model is Sony A100
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Sony A7 III vs Sony A550 Overview

Below is a comprehensive assessment of the Sony A7 III vs Sony A550, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR and they are both offered by Sony. There exists a noticeable gap between the sensor resolutions of the A7 III (24MP) and A550 (14MP) and the A7 III (Full frame) and A550 (APS-C) use different sensor size.

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The A7 III was unveiled 8 years later than the A550 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Sony A7 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting in to a detailed comparison, below is a quick summation of how the A7 III scores versus the A550 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sony A7 III over the Sony A550

 A7 III A550 
LaunchedFebruary 2018December 2009More recent by 101 months
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Sony A7 III

 A550 A7 III 

Common features in the Sony A7 III and Sony A550

 A7 III A550 
Focus manually Very precise focus
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Screen resolution922k922kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Sony A7 III vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to lug around your camera, you'll need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Sony A7 III features outer dimensions of 127mm x 96mm x 74mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.9") and a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs) whilst the Sony A550 has dimensions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") with a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

Analyze the Sony A7 III vs Sony A550 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are using at that time. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the A7 III compared to the A550.

Sony A7 III vs Sony A550 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A7 III and A550 is 63 and 63 respectively.

Sony A7 III vs Sony A550 top view buttons comparison

Sony A7 III vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is difficult to visualize the contrast between sensor measurements just by reviewing specifications. The graphic below might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the A7 III and A550.

To sum up, both cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The A7 III having a bigger sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF less difficult and the Sony A7 III will deliver more detail having an extra 10 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots a little more aggressively. The more modern A7 III provides an edge in sensor technology.

Sony A7 III vs Sony A550 sensor size comparison

Sony A7 III vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A7 III vs Sony A550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A7 III Portrait photography details
Sony A550 Portrait photography details
84
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
provides face detect focus
saves RAW files
72
you can focus manually
MP count good (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection focus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony A7 III as a Street photography camera
Sony A550 as a Street photography camera
78
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW files
offers touch focus
weather proof
great high ISO (51,200)
74
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sony A7 III as a Sports photography camera
Sony A550 as a Sports photography camera
87
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
provides tracking focus
weather proof
great battery (610 shots)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
terrible battery life (480 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Sony A7 III as a Travel photography camera
Sony A550 as a Travel photography camera
73
great battery (610 shots)
weather proof
connects via bluetooth
offers touch focus
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
52
MP count good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse mode
terrible battery life (480 shots)
does not have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A7 III Landscape photography information
Sony A550 Landscape photography information
85
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
great high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW files
weather proof
great battery (610 CIPA)
2 card slots
66
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
terrible battery life (480 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A7 III Vlogging factors
Sony A550 Vlogging factors
36
touch screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detect focus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
includes microphone support
screen isn't selfie friendly
9
can't shoot video
Photography Glossary

Sony A7 III vs Sony A550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A7 III and Sony A550
 Sony Alpha A7 IIISony Alpha DSLR-A550
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha A7 III Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
Class Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2018-02-27 2009-12-09
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Bionz X Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor dimensions 35.8 x 23.8mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 852.0mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 6000 x 4000 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 51200 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO 204800 -
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW format
Min enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 693 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Sony E Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 121 143
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Range of display Tilting Tilting
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 922k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder resolution 2,359k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x 0.53x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames per sec 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 12.00 m
Flash options no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p) 1920 x 1080 (120p, 60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) -
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 None
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S, H.264 -
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 650 grams (1.43 lbs) 632 grams (1.39 lbs)
Dimensions 127 x 96 x 74mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.9") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 96 66
DXO Color Depth score 25.0 21.9
DXO Dynamic range score 14.7 11.8
DXO Low light score 3730 807
Other
Battery life 610 shots 480 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-FZ100 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Two 1
Cost at release $1,998 $749