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Sony A380 vs Sony A550

Portability
68
Imaging
54
Features
54
Overall
54
Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
Portability
63
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58

Sony A380 vs Sony A550 Key Specs

Sony A380
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 519g - 128 x 97 x 71mm
  • Launched August 2009
  • Earlier Model is Sony A350
  • Later Model is Sony A390
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
  • Announced December 2009
  • Old Model is Sony A100
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Sony A380 vs Sony A550 Overview

Following is a comprehensive overview of the Sony A380 vs Sony A550, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras and both of them are built by Sony. The image resolution of the A380 (14MP) and the A550 (14MP) is very close and both cameras have the same sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The A380 was brought out 3 months earlier than the A550 so they are of a similar generation. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before going straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a short highlight of how the A380 matches up against the A550 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony A380 over the Sony A550

 A380 A550 

Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Sony A380

 A550 A380 
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution922k230kSharper display (+692k dot)

Common features in the Sony A380 and Sony A550

 A380 A550 
AnnouncedAugust 2009December 2009Same generation
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Sony A380 vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry around your camera, you have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Sony A380 comes with outside dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 519 grams (1.14 lbs) while the Sony A550 has measurements of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") with a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

Look at the Sony A380 vs Sony A550 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have during that time. Following is a front view size comparison of the A380 vs the A550.

Sony A380 vs Sony A550 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the A380 and A550 is 68 and 63 respectively.

Sony A380 vs Sony A550 top view buttons comparison

Sony A380 vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be hard to visualize the difference in sensor sizes simply by viewing specifications. The picture underneath might give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the A380 and A550.

To sum up, both the cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the exact same megapixels so you should expect comparable quality of files however you really should take the production date of the cameras into account.

Sony A380 vs Sony A550 sensor size comparison

Sony A380 vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A380 vs Sony A550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A380 Portrait photography information
Sony A550 Portrait photography information
72
has manual focus
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
72
has manual focus
MP count decent (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sony A380 Street photography advice
Sony A550 Street photography advice
77
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
74
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sony A380
Sports photography with Sony A550
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
max fps very slow (3.0 frames per second)
terrible battery pack (500 shots)
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
low battery power (480 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony A380
Travel photography with Sony A550
54
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
no Timelapse mode
terrible battery pack (500 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
52
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse function
low battery power (480 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A380 Landscape photography details
Sony A550 Landscape photography details
61
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
tiny screen (2.7")
terrible battery pack (500 shots)
no Timelapse mode
66
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
low battery power (480 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A380 Vlogging features
Sony A550 Vlogging features
9
lack of video recording
9
no video recording
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Sony A380 vs Sony A550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A380 and Sony A550
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A380Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
General Information
Company Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2009-08-24 2009-12-09
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Bionz Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4592 x 3056 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 3200 12800
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type Sony/Minolta Alpha Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 143 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Tilting
Screen sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.49x 0.53x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 10.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/160 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Highest video resolution None None
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 519 grams (1.14 pounds) 632 grams (1.39 pounds)
Physical dimensions 128 x 97 x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 67 66
DXO Color Depth rating 22.6 21.9
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.8 11.8
DXO Low light rating 614 807
Other
Battery life 500 pictures 480 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FH50 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $899 $749