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Sony A7R IV vs Sony A550

Portability
62
Imaging
81
Features
93
Overall
85
Sony Alpha A7R IV front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
Portability
63
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58

Sony A7R IV vs Sony A550 Key Specs

Sony A7R IV
(Full Review)
  • 61MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Raise to 102800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 665g - 129 x 96 x 78mm
  • Revealed July 2019
  • Replaced the Sony A7R III
  • Newer Model is Sony A7R V
Sony A550
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 632g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Announced December 2009
  • Superseded the Sony A100
Photography Glossary

Sony A7R IV vs Sony A550 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Sony A7R IV vs Sony A550, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR and both are offered by Sony. There exists a sizeable gap between the image resolutions of the A7R IV (61MP) and A550 (14MP) and the A7R IV (Full frame) and A550 (APS-C) offer totally different sensor dimensions.

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The A7R IV was launched 9 years later than the A550 and that is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Sony A7R IV being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting into a comprehensive comparison, here is a short highlight of how the A7R IV matches up vs the A550 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sony A7R IV over the Sony A550

 A7R IV A550 
AnnouncedJuly 2019December 2009More recent by 117 months
Display resolution1440k922kSharper display (+518k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Sony A7R IV

 A550 A7R IV 

Common features in the Sony A7R IV and Sony A550

 A7R IV A550 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display size3"3"Same display sizing
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Sony A7R IV vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to lug around your camera often, you will want to factor in its weight and proportions. The Sony A7R IV has got outside dimensions of 129mm x 96mm x 78mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.1") along with a weight of 665 grams (1.47 lbs) while the Sony A550 has measurements of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") and a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

Take a look at the Sony A7R IV vs Sony A550 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are using at the time. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the A7R IV and the A550.

Sony A7R IV vs Sony A550 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A7R IV and A550 is 62 and 63 respectively.

Sony A7R IV vs Sony A550 top view buttons comparison

Sony A7R IV vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is tough to visualise the difference between sensor measurements merely by checking a spec sheet. The photograph here should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the A7R IV and A550.

Clearly, the 2 cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The A7R IV due to its larger sensor will make achieving shallow DOF less difficult and the Sony A7R IV will give you more detail utilizing its extra 47MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images way more aggressively. The younger A7R IV will have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Sony A7R IV vs Sony A550 sensor size comparison

Sony A7R IV vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A7R IV vs Sony A550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A7R IV Portrait photography factors
Sony A550 Portrait photography factors
88
you can focus manually
great sensor resolution (61 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
includes face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
72
you can focus manually
good megapixels (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony A7R IV Street photography highlights
Sony A550 Street photography highlights
79
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
supports touch to focus
environment proofing
very good high ISO (32,000)
74
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sony A7R IV Sports photography information
Sony A550 Sports photography information
90
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor resolution (61 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proofing
great battery (670 per charge)
supports phase detect autofocus
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
terrible battery power (480 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Sony A7R IV as a Travel photography camera
Sony A550 as a Travel photography camera
74
great battery (670 shots)
environment proofing
has bluetooth
supports touch to focus
great sensor resolution (61 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
52
good megapixels (14MP)
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
terrible battery power (480 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony A7R IV
Landscape photography with Sony A550
88
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor resolution (61 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
very good high ISO (32,000)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
great battery (670 per charge)
has double storage slots
66
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
terrible battery power (480 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A7R IV Vlogging info
Sony A550 Vlogging info
37
touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection autofocus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
comes with external microphone port
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
9
can't shoot video
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Sony A7R IV vs Sony A550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A7R IV and Sony A550
 Sony Alpha A7R IVSony Alpha DSLR-A550
General Information
Company Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha A7R IV Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
Category Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2019-07-16 2009-12-09
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Bionz X Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor measurements 35.8 x 23.8mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 852.0mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 61 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 9504 x 6336 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 32000 12800
Highest boosted ISO 102800 -
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW images
Min boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 567 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Sony E Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 121 143
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Type of display Tilting Tilting
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Display resolution 1,440 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder resolution 5,760 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x 0.53x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames per sec 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 12.00 m
Flash options Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync. Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/250 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM -
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 None
Video data format MPEG-4, XAVC S, H.264 -
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 665 gr (1.47 pounds) 632 gr (1.39 pounds)
Physical dimensions 129 x 96 x 78mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.1") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 99 66
DXO Color Depth score 26.0 21.9
DXO Dynamic range score 14.8 11.8
DXO Low light score 3344 807
Other
Battery life 670 photographs 480 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-FZ100 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compatible) SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Dual Single
Pricing at launch $3,498 $749