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Sony A380 vs Sony A55

Portability
68
Imaging
53
Features
54
Overall
53
Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 front
 
Sony SLT-A55 front
Portability
67
Imaging
56
Features
80
Overall
65

Sony A380 vs Sony A55 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
  • Revealed August 2009
  • Old Model is Sony A350
  • Updated by Sony A390
Sony A55
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 500g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
  • Introduced August 2010
  • Refreshed by Sony A57
Photography Glossary

Sony A380 vs Sony A55 Overview

Lets look more in depth at the Sony A380 vs Sony A55, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras and both are manufactured by Sony. The image resolution of the A380 (14MP) and the A55 (16MP) is very close and both cameras posses the identical sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The A380 was released 12 months earlier than the A55 and they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before getting into a in-depth comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the A380 grades vs the A55 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony A380 over the Sony A55

 A380 A55 

Reasons to pick Sony A55 over the Sony A380

 A55 A380 
IntroducedAugust 2010August 2009Newer by 12 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kCrisper display (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Sony A380 and Sony A55

 A380 A55 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Sony A380 vs Sony A55 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to travel with your camera frequently, you will need to think about its weight and volume. The Sony A380 comes with exterior dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 519 grams (1.14 lbs) whilst the Sony A55 has sizing of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") along with a weight of 500 grams (1.10 lbs).

Take a look at the Sony A380 vs Sony A55 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have at that moment. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the A380 and the A55.

Sony A380 vs Sony A55 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A380 and A55 is 68 and 67 respectively.

Sony A380 vs Sony A55 top view buttons comparison

Sony A380 vs Sony A55 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's tough to visualize the gap in sensor dimensions just by looking through a spec sheet. The pic underneath should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the A380 and A55.

Clearly, the 2 cameras feature the identical sensor size but different megapixels. You should expect to see the Sony A55 to provide you with more detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos way more aggressively. The more aged A380 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Sony A380 vs Sony A55 sensor size comparison

Sony A380 vs Sony A55 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A380 vs Sony A55 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A380 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A55 as a Portrait photography camera
71
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
73
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides face detection focus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony A380 Street photography highlights
Sony A55 Street photography highlights
76
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
77
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sony A380 Sports photography highlights
Sony A55 Sports photography highlights
59
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
low fps (3.0 fps)
bad battery life (500 CIPA)
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
low battery (380 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Sony A380 Travel photography info
Sony A55 Travel photography info
53
megapixel count decent (14MP)
flash built-in
no Time Lapse mode
bad battery life (500 shots)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
62
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
no Time Lapse function
low battery (380 shots)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A380 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A55 as a Landscape photography camera
61
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen is small (2.7 inch)
bad battery life (500 CIPA)
no Time Lapse mode
67
manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is decent (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
low battery (380 CIPA)
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A380 Vlogging info
Sony A55 Vlogging info
9
no video shooting
78
selfie friendly screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have external mic port
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Sony A380 vs Sony A55 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A380 and Sony A55
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A380Sony SLT-A55
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 Sony SLT-A55
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2009-08-24 2010-08-24
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Bionz Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4592 x 3056 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 3200 12800
Maximum boosted ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 15
Cross focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mounting type Sony/Minolta Alpha Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 143 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fully Articulated
Screen size 2.7" 3"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,150 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.49x 0.73x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 3.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 10.00 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
Flash settings 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
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/160s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 519 grams (1.14 lb) 500 grams (1.10 lb)
Physical dimensions 128 x 97 x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8") 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 67 73
DXO Color Depth score 22.6 23.0
DXO Dynamic range score 11.8 12.4
DXO Low light score 614 816
Other
Battery life 500 photos 380 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-FH50 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Price at launch $899 $800