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Sony A99 II vs Sony A550

Portability
57
Imaging
77
Features
92
Overall
83
Sony Alpha A99 II front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
Portability
63
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58

Sony A99 II vs Sony A550 Key Specs

Sony A99 II
(Full Review)
  • 42MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Increase to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 849g - 143 x 104 x 76mm
  • Launched September 2016
  • Replaced the Sony A99
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
  • Replaced the Sony A100
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Sony A99 II vs Sony A550 Overview

Lets examine more in depth at the Sony A99 II versus Sony A550, former is a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR and they are both built by Sony. There is a substantial difference among the sensor resolutions of the A99 II (42MP) and A550 (14MP) and the A99 II (Full frame) and A550 (APS-C) come with different sensor measurements.

Photography Glossary

The A99 II was released 6 years after the A550 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Sony A99 II being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving straight into a detailed comparison, below is a concise summation of how the A99 II scores vs the A550 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony A99 II over the Sony A550

 A99 II A550 
LaunchedSeptember 2016December 2009Newer by 83 months
Screen typeFully articulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1229k922kClearer screen (+307k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Sony A99 II

 A550 A99 II 

Common features in the Sony A99 II and Sony A550

 A99 II A550 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurements
Touch friendly screen Neither offers Touch friendly screen

Sony A99 II vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to travel with your camera frequently, you have to consider its weight and proportions. The Sony A99 II offers external measurements of 143mm x 104mm x 76mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.0") having a weight of 849 grams (1.87 lbs) while the Sony A550 has measurements 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 A99 II versus Sony A550 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. Here is the front view sizing comparison of the A99 II vs the A550.

Sony A99 II vs Sony A550 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the A99 II and A550 is 57 and 63 respectively.

Sony A99 II vs Sony A550 top view buttons comparison

Sony A99 II vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its difficult to picture the gap in sensor dimensions only by looking through specs. The image here may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the A99 II and A550.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The A99 II featuring a bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field easier and the Sony A99 II will result in extra detail as a result of its extra 28MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The younger A99 II provides an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Sony A99 II vs Sony A550 sensor size comparison

Sony A99 II vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A99 II vs Sony A550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony A99 II
Portrait photography with Sony A550
86
manual focus
fantastic megapixels (42 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
includes face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
72
has manual focus
decent megapixels (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sony A99 II Street photography details
Sony A550 Street photography details
76
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
very good ISO range (25,600)
74
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Sony A99 II Sports photography factors
Sony A550 Sports photography factors
82
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
fantastic megapixels (42MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
environment proofing
supports phase detect AF
not so great battery pack (490 CIPA)
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
not so great battery pack (480 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Sony A99 II Travel photography information
Sony A550 Travel photography information
70
environment proofing
has bluetooth
fantastic megapixels (42 megapixels)
selfie friendly display
not so great battery pack (490 CIPA)
52
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse mode
not so great battery pack (480 per charge)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A99 II Landscape photography advice
Sony A550 Landscape photography advice
82
manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
fantastic megapixels (42 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
does not have low pass filter
very good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
has double storage slots
not so great battery pack (490 per charge)
66
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
decent sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
not so great battery pack (480 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A99 II Vlogging info
Sony A550 Vlogging info
78
selfie friendly display
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
comes with microphone port
9
no video shooting
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Sony A99 II vs Sony A550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A99 II and Sony A550
 Sony Alpha A99 IISony Alpha DSLR-A550
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha A99 II Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
Class Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2016-09-19 2009-12-09
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Bionz X Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 24mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 861.6mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 42 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 7952 x 5304 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 25600 12800
Max enhanced ISO 102400 -
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW images
Min enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 399 9
Cross type focus points 79 -
Lens
Lens support Sony/Minolta Alpha Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 143 143
Focal length multiplier 1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fully articulated Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 1,229k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder resolution 2,359k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x 0.53x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 12.0 frames per sec 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 12.00 m
Flash modes Off, auto, fill, slow sync, redeye reduction, rear sync, high-speed sync, wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max 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
Max video resolution 3840x2160 None
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S -
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 849 grams (1.87 lbs) 632 grams (1.39 lbs)
Dimensions 143 x 104 x 76mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.0") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 92 66
DXO Color Depth rating 25.4 21.9
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.4 11.8
DXO Low light rating 2317 807
Other
Battery life 490 pictures 480 pictures
Type of battery NP-FM500H lithium-ion battery & charger Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC/MS Duo slots SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Dual One
Launch cost $3,198 $749