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Sony A7S III vs Sony W550

Portability
61
Imaging
64
Features
92
Overall
75
Sony Alpha A7S III front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
28
Overall
33

Sony A7S III vs Sony W550 Key Specs

Sony A7S III
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 80 - 102400 (Push to 409600)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 699g - 129 x 97 x 81mm
  • Revealed July 2020
  • Replaced the Sony A7S II
Sony W550
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-104mm (F2.7-5.7) lens
  • 110g - 94 x 56 x 19mm
  • Released July 2011
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Sony A7S III vs Sony W550 Overview

Its time to look a little more closely at the Sony A7S III versus Sony W550, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Ultracompact and both are designed by Sony. The image resolution of the A7S III (12MP) and the W550 (14MP) is fairly well matched but the A7S III (Full frame) and W550 (1/2.3") have different sensor size.

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The A7S III was revealed 9 years later than the W550 and that is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Sony A7S III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony W550 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before delving straight to a in depth comparison, here is a concise view of how the A7S III grades vs the W550 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony A7S III over the Sony W550

 A7S III W550 
ReleasedJuly 2020July 2011Fresher by 110 months
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Display typeFully articulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1440k230kSharper display (+1210k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony W550 over the Sony A7S III

 W550 A7S III 

Common features in the Sony A7S III and Sony W550

 A7S III W550 
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display size

Sony A7S III vs Sony W550 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry your camera frequently, you need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Sony A7S III enjoys exterior measurements of 129mm x 97mm x 81mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.2") with a weight of 699 grams (1.54 lbs) whilst the Sony W550 has measurements of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") having a weight of 110 grams (0.24 lbs).

Take a look at the Sony A7S III versus Sony W550 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have attached at that moment. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the A7S III compared to the W550.

Sony A7S III vs Sony W550 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the A7S III and W550 is 61 and 96 respectively.

Sony A7S III vs Sony W550 top view buttons comparison

Sony A7S III vs Sony W550 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is hard to imagine the contrast between sensor sizing purely by checking specifications. The visual below should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the A7S III and W550.

To sum up, both cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The A7S III using its larger sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF easier and the Sony W550 will give you greater detail because of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos more aggressively. The more modern A7S III should have a benefit in sensor tech.

Sony A7S III vs Sony W550 sensor size comparison

Sony A7S III vs Sony W550 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A7S III vs Sony W550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A7S III Portrait photography factors
Sony W550 Portrait photography factors
70
manual focus
big sensor size (Full frame)
comes with face detect focusing
saves RAW files
low MP (12MP)
28
good MP (14MP)
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Sony A7S III as a Street photography camera
Sony W550 as a Street photography camera
76
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
features touch to focus
weather proofing
above average ISO range (102,400)
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sony A7S III
Sports photography with Sony W550
75
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
comes with tracking focus
weather proofing
great battery (600 CIPA)
supports phase detect AF
low MP (12 megapixels)
35
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14 megapixels)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sony A7S III Travel photography details
Sony W550 Travel photography details
70
great battery (600 CIPA)
weather proofing
connects via bluetooth
features touch to focus
selfie friendly display
low MP (12MP)
65
good MP (14MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (26mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A7S III Landscape photography advice
Sony W550 Landscape photography advice
77
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
above average ISO range (102,400)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
great battery (600 CIPA)
two card slots
low MP (12 megapixels)
42
fairly wide (26mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14MP)
lack of manual focus
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
no manual mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A7S III as a Vlogging camera
Sony W550 as a Vlogging camera
77
selfie friendly display
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detect focusing
good video quality (3840 x 2160 pxls)
comes with mic socket
29
fairly wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing mic port
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Sony A7S III vs Sony W550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A7S III and Sony W550
 Sony Alpha A7S IIISony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha A7S III Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
Class Pro Mirrorless Ultracompact
Revealed 2020-07-21 2011-07-24
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Bionz XR BIONZ
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size Full frame 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 35.6 x 23.8mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 847.3mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4240 x 2832 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 102400 3200
Max boosted ISO 409600 -
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Minimum boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 759 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Sony E fixed lens
Lens focal range - 26-104mm (4.0x)
Max aperture - f/2.7-5.7
Macro focus range - 5cm
Available lenses 121 -
Crop factor 1 5.8
Screen
Display type Fully articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 1,440 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology - Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 9,440 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.91x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 2s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 3.80 m
Flash settings no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 120p / 280 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 100p / 280 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 140 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 140 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 24p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, XAVC S, XAVC HS, XAVC S-1, H.264, H.265 MPEG-4
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.2 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 699g (1.54 pounds) 110g (0.24 pounds)
Physical dimensions 129 x 97 x 81mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.2") 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 85 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 13.3 not tested
DXO Low light score 2993 not tested
Other
Battery life 600 photos -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model NP-FZ100 NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures)) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting With downloadable app
Type of storage Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Dual -
Retail pricing $3,499 $119