Clicky

Sony A100 vs Sony A550

Portability
64
Imaging
49
Features
38
Overall
44
Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
Portability
63
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58

Sony A100 vs Sony A550 Key Specs

Sony A100
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 638g - 133 x 95 x 71mm
  • Announced July 2006
  • Superseded the Konica Minolta 5D
  • Updated by Sony A550
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
  • Launched December 2009
  • Superseded the Sony A100
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Sony A100 vs Sony A550 Overview

The following is a complete overview of the Sony A100 versus Sony A550, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras and both are built by Sony. There exists a sizable gap between the resolutions of the A100 (10MP) and A550 (14MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

The A100 was brought out 4 years before the A550 which is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before diving straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a brief summary of how the A100 scores versus the A550 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance
	
	

Reasons to pick Sony A100 over the Sony A550

 A100 A550 

Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Sony A100

 A550 A100 
LaunchedDecember 2009July 2006Newer by 40 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimensions3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution922k230kSharper display (+692k dot)

Common features in the Sony A100 and Sony A550

 A100 A550 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Sony A100 vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to travel with your camera often, you're going to have to factor its weight and measurements. The Sony A100 has got exterior measurements of 133mm x 95mm x 71mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 2.8") having a weight of 638 grams (1.41 lbs) while 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).

Take a look at the Sony A100 versus Sony A550 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are using at that moment. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the A100 against the A550.

Sony A100 vs Sony A550 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the A100 and A550 is 64 and 63 respectively.

Sony A100 vs Sony A550 top view buttons comparison

Sony A100 vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very tough to picture the difference between sensor dimensions just by going over a spec sheet. The image here may give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the A100 and A550.

Clearly, both of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different megapixels. You can expect to see the Sony A550 to deliver greater detail having its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop images a bit more aggressively. The more aged A100 is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Sony A100 vs Sony A550 sensor size comparison

Sony A100 vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A100 vs Sony A550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A100 Portrait photography details
Sony A550 Portrait photography details
53
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
low MP (10 megapixels)
72
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Street Comparison

Sony A100 as a Street photography camera
Sony A550 as a Street photography camera
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
no articulating screen
74
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Sports Comparison

Sony A100 Sports photography information
Sony A550 Sports photography information
49
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
doesn't have liveview
max fps very slow (3.0 frames/s)
low MP (10 megapixels)
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
terrible battery power (480 CIPA)
Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony A100
Travel photography with Sony A550
45
built-in flash
no Time Lapse function
low MP (10 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
52
decent megapixels (14MP)
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse mode
terrible battery power (480 per charge)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Landscape Comparison

Sony A100 Landscape photography advice
Sony A550 Landscape photography advice
53
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
doesn't have liveview
low MP (10 megapixels)
no Time Lapse function
66
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
terrible battery power (480 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse mode
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Vlogging Comparison

Sony A100 Vlogging advice
Sony A550 Vlogging advice
9
no video shooting
9
can't shoot video
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Sony A100 vs Sony A550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A100 and Sony A550
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A100Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
General Information
Company Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2006-07-31 2009-12-09
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 372.9mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 3872 x 2592 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 1600 12800
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type Sony/Minolta Alpha Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 143 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 2.5 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x 0.53x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames per second 7.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 12.00 m
Flash options Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/160s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Max video resolution None None
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None 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 638 grams (1.41 lbs) 632 grams (1.39 lbs)
Physical dimensions 133 x 95 x 71mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 2.8") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 61 66
DXO Color Depth rating 22.0 21.9
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.2 11.8
DXO Low light rating 476 807
Other
Battery life - 480 shots
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FM55H NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II) SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Launch pricing $1,000 $749