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Sony A350 vs Sony W550

Portability
62
Imaging
53
Features
47
Overall
50
Sony Alpha DSLR-A350 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
28
Overall
33

Sony A350 vs Sony W550 Key Specs

Sony A350
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 674g - 131 x 99 x 75mm
  • Revealed June 2008
  • Updated by Sony A380
Sony W550
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-104mm (F2.7-5.7) lens
  • 110g - 94 x 56 x 19mm
  • Announced July 2011
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Sony A350 vs Sony W550 Overview

Below, we will be evaluating the Sony A350 vs Sony W550, former being a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Ultracompact and they are both sold by Sony. The resolution of the A350 (14MP) and the W550 (14MP) is relatively comparable but the A350 (APS-C) and W550 (1/2.3") use totally different sensor size.

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The A350 was launched 4 years earlier than the W550 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Sony A350 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony W550 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before delving in to a in depth comparison, below is a short highlight of how the A350 grades versus the W550 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony A350 over the Sony W550

 A350 W550 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Reasons to pick Sony W550 over the Sony A350

 W550 A350 
AnnouncedJuly 2011June 2008Fresher by 38 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Sony A350 and Sony W550

 A350 W550 
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Sony A350 vs Sony W550 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry your camera regularly, you need to take into account its weight and volume. The Sony A350 enjoys outside measurements of 131mm x 99mm x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") having a weight of 674 grams (1.49 lbs) and the Sony W550 has sizing of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") and a weight of 110 grams (0.24 lbs).

Compare the Sony A350 vs Sony W550 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you use at the time. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the A350 against the W550.

Sony A350 vs Sony W550 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the A350 and W550 is 62 and 96 respectively.

Sony A350 vs Sony W550 top view buttons comparison

Sony A350 vs Sony W550 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's tough to envision the gap in sensor sizing just by seeing a spec sheet. The graphic here may give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the A350 and W550.

As you can see, both cameras have got the exact same resolution albeit not the same sensor sizing. The A350 contains the bigger sensor which is going to make getting bokeh simpler. The older A350 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Sony A350 vs Sony W550 sensor size comparison

Sony A350 vs Sony W550 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A350 vs Sony W550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A350 Portrait photography advice
Sony W550 Portrait photography advice
71
has manual focus
decent MP (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
28
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony A350 as a Street photography camera
Sony W550 as a Street photography camera
66
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
heavier than competitors in class (674 grams)
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Sony A350 Sports photography features
Sony W550 Sports photography features
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
max fps very slow (3.0 frames per second)
35
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sony A350 as a Travel photography camera
Sony W550 as a Travel photography camera
51
decent MP (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
no Time Lapse mode
heavier than competitors in class (674g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
65
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (26mm)
missing Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A350 Landscape photography highlights
Sony W550 Landscape photography highlights
64
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen is small (2.7")
no Time Lapse mode
42
rather wide (26mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
lack of manual mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A350 Vlogging advice
Sony W550 Vlogging advice
9
no video shooting
29
rather wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone port
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Sony A350 vs Sony W550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A350 and Sony W550
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A350Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha DSLR-A350 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
Category Entry-Level DSLR Ultracompact
Revealed 2008-06-06 2011-07-24
Body design Compact SLR Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - BIONZ
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.8mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 372.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4592 x 3056 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens focal range - 26-104mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture - f/2.7-5.7
Macro focus range - 5cm
Total lenses 143 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech - Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.49x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 2 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 3.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 3.80 m
Flash modes Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1280x720
Video file format - MPEG-4
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 674 grams (1.49 lbs) 110 grams (0.24 lbs)
Dimensions 131 x 99 x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 65 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.5 not tested
DXO Low light score 595 not tested
Other
Battery model - NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, UDMA Mode 5, Supports FAT12 / FAT16 / FAT32 SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 -
Launch pricing $600 $119