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Sony A9 II vs Sony A550

Portability
62
Imaging
75
Features
93
Overall
82
Sony Alpha A9 Mark II front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
Portability
63
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58

Sony A9 II vs Sony A550 Key Specs

Sony A9 II
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Expand to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 678g - 129 x 96 x 76mm
  • Announced October 2019
  • Earlier Model is Sony A9
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
  • Released December 2009
  • Older Model is Sony A100
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Sony A9 II vs Sony A550 Overview

Let's look a bit more closely at the Sony A9 II vs Sony A550, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR and they are both designed by Sony. There is a significant difference between the image resolutions of the A9 II (24MP) and A550 (14MP) and the A9 II (Full frame) and A550 (APS-C) use totally different sensor dimensions.

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The A9 II was unveiled 9 years later than the A550 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Sony A9 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go straight into a complete comparison, below is a short highlight of how the A9 II scores vs the A550 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony A9 II over the Sony A550

 A9 II A550 
ReleasedOctober 2019December 2009Fresher by 120 months
Screen resolution1440k922kClearer screen (+518k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Sony A9 II

 A550 A9 II 

Common features in the Sony A9 II and Sony A550

 A9 II A550 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Sony A9 II vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry your camera, you will need to factor its weight and measurements. The Sony A9 II offers external measurements of 129mm x 96mm x 76mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.0") along with a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs) whilst the Sony A550 has proportions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") along with a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

Check the Sony A9 II vs Sony A550 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are utilising during that time. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the A9 II against the A550.

Sony A9 II vs Sony A550 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the A9 II and A550 is 62 and 63 respectively.

Sony A9 II vs Sony A550 top view buttons comparison

Sony A9 II vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's tough to envision the contrast between sensor sizing merely by reading through specifications. The photograph here should provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the A9 II and A550.

To sum up, both cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The A9 II with its bigger sensor will make shooting shallower DOF easier and the Sony A9 II will give you greater detail having an extra 10MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The more modern A9 II will have an edge in sensor tech.

Sony A9 II vs Sony A550 sensor size comparison

Sony A9 II vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A9 II vs Sony A550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A9 II as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A550 as a Portrait photography camera
85
manual focus
resolution is good (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
provides face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
72
manual focus
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Sony A9 II
Street photography with Sony A550
78
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
offers touch focus
environment proof
very good high ISO (51,200)
74
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Sony A9 II Sports photography information
Sony A550 Sports photography information
87
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
quiet shooting (1/32,000s)
high frames per second (20.0 frames/s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
provides tracking focus
environment proof
better than average battery life (690 shots)
sensor has phase detect AF
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
terrible battery life (480 CIPA)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Sony A9 II Travel photography information
Sony A550 Travel photography information
73
better than average battery life (690 per charge)
environment proof
supports bluetooth
offers touch focus
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
52
megapixel count good (14MP)
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse recording
terrible battery life (480 per charge)
does not have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony A9 II
Landscape photography with Sony A550
86
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
very good high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
better than average battery life (690 CIPA)
has double storage slots
66
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
terrible battery life (480 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A9 II Vlogging advice
Sony A550 Vlogging advice
36
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detect focusing
video res high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
includes mic port
display is not selfie friendly
9
lack of video recording
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Sony A9 II vs Sony A550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A9 II and Sony A550
 Sony Alpha A9 Mark IISony Alpha DSLR-A550
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha A9 Mark II Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
Type Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2019-10-03 2009-12-09
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor BIONZ X Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor measurements 35.6 x 23.8mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 847.3mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 6000 x 4000 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 51200 12800
Highest enhanced ISO 204800 -
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW photos
Min enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 693 9
Lens
Lens mount type Sony E Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 121 143
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Type of display Tilting Tilting
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 1,440 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder resolution 3,686 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x 0.53x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Fastest quiet shutter speed 1/32000s -
Continuous shutter rate 20.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 12.00 m
Flash modes 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
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM -
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 None
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 -
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 678 grams (1.49 lbs) 632 grams (1.39 lbs)
Dimensions 129 x 96 x 76mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.0") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 66
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 21.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.8
DXO Low light rating not tested 807
Other
Battery life 690 shots 480 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FZ100 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous, 3 or 5 frames) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Dual 1
Cost at release $4,498 $749