Clicky

Sony A500 vs Sony A550

Portability
63
Imaging
52
Features
52
Overall
52
Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
Portability
63
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58

Sony A500 vs Sony A550 Key Specs

Sony A500
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 630g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Introduced August 2009
  • Later Model is Sony A560
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
  • Released December 2009
  • Previous Model is Sony A100
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Sony A500 vs Sony A550 Overview

The following is a extended overview of the Sony A500 versus Sony A550, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras and they are both sold by Sony. The image resolution of the A500 (12MP) and the A550 (14MP) is very similar and they possess the exact same sensor measurements (APS-C).

AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

The A500 was brought out 3 months earlier than the A550 and they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before getting straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the A500 scores against the A550 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance
	
	

Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Sony A550

 A500 A550 

Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Sony A500

 A550 A500 
Display resolution922k230kSharper display (+692k dot)

Common features in the Sony A500 and Sony A550

 A500 A550 
ReleasedAugust 2009December 2009Similar generation
Manually focus Very accurate focusing
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurements
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Sony A500 vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you will want to factor its weight and volume. The Sony A500 offers outside dimensions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") having a weight of 630 grams (1.39 lbs) while the Sony A550 has sizing of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

Look at the Sony A500 versus Sony A550 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are employing at the time. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the A500 against the A550.

Sony A500 vs Sony A550 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the A500 and A550 is 63 and 63 respectively.

Sony A500 vs Sony A550 top view buttons comparison

Sony A500 vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be difficult to visualise the gap between sensor dimensions purely by reviewing technical specs. The pic here should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the A500 and A550.

As you have seen, each of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Sony A550 to offer more detail having its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop pics much more aggressively.

Sony A500 vs Sony A550 sensor size comparison

Sony A500 vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A500 vs Sony A550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A500 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A550 as a Portrait photography camera
63
has manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with face detection focus
saves RAW formats
megapixel count low (12MP)
72
manual focus
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with face detect focus
saves RAW files
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Street Comparison

Sony A500 as a Street photography camera
Sony A550 as a Street photography camera
74
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
74
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Sports Comparison

Sony A500 Sports photography details
Sony A550 Sports photography details
51
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
low fps (5.0 fps)
megapixel count low (12MP)
low battery (520 per charge)
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
low battery (480 shots)
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Travel Comparison

Sony A500 Travel photography highlights
Sony A550 Travel photography highlights
43
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse mode
low battery (520 shots)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
52
megapixel count good (14MP)
has built in flash
no Time Lapse mode
low battery (480 per charge)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Landscape Comparison

Sony A500 Landscape photography highlights
Sony A550 Landscape photography highlights
60
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
megapixel count low (12MP)
low battery (520 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse mode
66
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
low battery (480 shots)
no Time Lapse mode
Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

Vlogging Comparison

Sony A500 Vlogging information
Sony A550 Vlogging information
9
no video recording
9
no video shooting
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Sony A500 vs Sony A550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A500 and Sony A550
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A500Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2009-08-27 2009-12-09
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Bionz Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4272 x 2848 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 12800 12800
Lowest native ISO 200 200
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount Sony/Minolta Alpha Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 143 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x 0.53x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 5.0 frames per sec 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m 12.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/160s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Highest video resolution None None
Mic 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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 630 grams (1.39 pounds) 632 grams (1.39 pounds)
Dimensions 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 64 66
DXO Color Depth score 21.8 21.9
DXO Dynamic range score 11.6 11.8
DXO Low light score 772 807
Other
Battery life 520 shots 480 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-FM500H NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $638 $749