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Sony A7S vs Sony W550

Portability
77
Imaging
60
Features
73
Overall
65
Sony Alpha A7S front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
28
Overall
33

Sony A7S vs Sony W550 Key Specs

Sony A7S
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 409600
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 489g - 127 x 94 x 48mm
  • Introduced April 2014
  • Refreshed by 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 vs Sony W550 Overview

Here is a in-depth comparison of the Sony A7S and Sony W550, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Ultracompact and they are both offered by Sony. The image resolution of the A7S (12MP) and the W550 (14MP) is fairly close but the A7S (Full frame) and W550 (1/2.3") have totally different sensor size.

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The A7S was manufactured 2 years later than the W550 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Sony A7S being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony W550 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before delving into a detailed comparison, here is a simple summation of how the A7S matches up vs the W550 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony A7S over the Sony W550

 A7S W550 
ReleasedApril 2014July 2011Fresher by 33 months
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1230k230kCrisper display (+1000k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W550 over the Sony A7S

 W550 A7S 

Common features in the Sony A7S and Sony W550

 A7S W550 
Display size3"3"Same display size
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Sony A7S vs Sony W550 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry your camera frequently, you have to consider its weight and size. The Sony A7S has outer dimensions of 127mm x 94mm x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") accompanied by a weight of 489 grams (1.08 lbs) while the Sony W550 has specifications of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") and a weight of 110 grams (0.24 lbs).

Examine the Sony A7S and Sony W550 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the A7S compared to the W550.

Sony A7S vs Sony W550 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A7S and W550 is 77 and 96 respectively.

Sony A7S vs Sony W550 top view buttons comparison

Sony A7S vs Sony W550 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be hard to envision the gap in sensor sizing just by viewing specs. The graphic underneath should give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the A7S and W550.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The A7S due to its larger sensor will make getting bokeh easier and the Sony W550 will render greater detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The younger A7S is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Sony A7S vs Sony W550 sensor size comparison

Sony A7S vs Sony W550 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A7S vs Sony W550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A7S Portrait photography factors
Sony W550 Portrait photography factors
68
has manual focus
great sensor size (Full frame)
has face detect focusing
saves RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
28
good megapixels (14MP)
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Sony A7S as a Street photography camera
Sony W550 as a Street photography camera
76
screen tilts up and down
great sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
environment proof
lighter than competition (489g)
great ISO range (409,600)
lack of image stabilization
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sony A7S Sports photography factors
Sony W550 Sports photography factors
52
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
great sensor size (Full frame)
has tracking focus
environment proof
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
low battery (360 per charge)
lacks phase detect AF
35
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14MP)
max frames per second low (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Sony A7S Travel photography advice
Sony W550 Travel photography advice
58
lighter than competition (489g)
environment proof
low battery (360 shots)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
65
good megapixels (14MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (26mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A7S Landscape photography features
Sony W550 Landscape photography features
66
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
great sensor size (Full frame)
great ISO range (409,600)
saves RAW files
environment proof
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
low battery (360 shots)
42
fairly wide (26mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14MP)
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
manual exposure not available
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A7S Vlogging features
Sony W550 Vlogging features
34
has face detect focusing
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
does have microphone support
lighter than competition (489g)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
29
fairly wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone support
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Sony A7S vs Sony W550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A7S and Sony W550
 Sony Alpha A7SSony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha A7S Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
Type Pro Mirrorless Ultracompact
Introduced 2014-04-06 2011-07-24
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Bionz X BIONZ
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Full frame 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 35.8 x 23.9mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 855.6mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4240 x 2832 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 409600 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 25 9
Lens
Lens mount Sony E fixed lens
Lens focal range - 26-104mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/2.7-5.7
Macro focus distance - 5cm
Total lenses 121 -
Focal length multiplier 1 5.8
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 1,230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech - Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,359k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.71x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 2 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate 5.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in 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
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160, XAVC S 1080 60p(50Mbps), 30p (50Mbps), 24p (50Mbps). 720 120p (50Mbps). AVCHD 60p (28Mbps), 60i (24Mbps/17Mbps), 24p (24Mbps/17Mbps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC MPEG-4
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 489 grams (1.08 pounds) 110 grams (0.24 pounds)
Physical dimensions 127 x 94 x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 87 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.9 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 13.2 not tested
DXO Low light score 3702 not tested
Other
Battery life 360 pictures -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery model NP-FW50 NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures)) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single -
Cost at launch $1,998 $119