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Sony A550 vs Sony NEX-5T

Portability
63
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5T front
Portability
89
Imaging
58
Features
79
Overall
66

Sony A550 vs Sony NEX-5T Key Specs

Sony A550
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 632g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Announced December 2009
  • Superseded the Sony A100
Sony NEX-5T
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 276g - 111 x 59 x 39mm
  • Launched August 2013
  • Succeeded the Sony NEX-5R
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Sony A550 vs Sony NEX-5T Overview

The following is a extensive assessment of the Sony A550 vs Sony NEX-5T, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and they are both created by Sony. The resolution of the A550 (14MP) and the NEX-5T (16MP) is very well matched and they feature the exact same sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The A550 was unveiled 4 years prior to the NEX-5T which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony NEX-5T being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving in to a detailed comparison, below is a quick overview of how the A550 grades versus the NEX-5T in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Sony NEX-5T

 A550 NEX-5T 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5T over the Sony A550

 NEX-5T A550 
LaunchedAugust 2013December 2009Newer by 45 months
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Sony A550 and Sony NEX-5T

 A550 NEX-5T 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display dimensions
Display resolution922k922kIdentical display resolution

Sony A550 vs Sony NEX-5T Physical Comparison

If you're planning to travel with your camera regularly, you need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Sony A550 comes with exterior measurements of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") having a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs) and the Sony NEX-5T has dimensions of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") with a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs).

Take a look at the Sony A550 vs Sony NEX-5T in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are using during that time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the A550 compared to the NEX-5T.

Sony A550 vs Sony NEX-5T size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the A550 and NEX-5T is 63 and 89 respectively.

Sony A550 vs Sony NEX-5T top view buttons comparison

Sony A550 vs Sony NEX-5T Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor dimensions just by reading through technical specs. The image underneath will offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the A550 and NEX-5T.

As you have seen, both cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but different megapixels. You can expect to see the Sony NEX-5T to give you extra detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop pics much more aggressively. The more aged A550 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Sony A550 vs Sony NEX-5T sensor size comparison

Sony A550 vs Sony NEX-5T Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A550 vs Sony NEX-5T Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony A550
Portrait photography with Sony NEX-5T
72
focusing manually
good megapixels (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
supports RAW files
74
focusing manually
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony A550 Street photography advice
Sony NEX-5T Street photography advice
74
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
80
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
includes touch to focus
great ISO range (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sony A550 Sports photography advice
Sony NEX-5T Sports photography advice
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
low battery pack (480 per charge)
69
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
has phase detect autofocus
lack of image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Sony A550 Travel photography advice
Sony NEX-5T Travel photography advice
52
good megapixels (14MP)
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
low battery pack (480 shots)
does not feature selfie friendly display
77
includes touch to focus
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
selfie friendly display
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony A550
Landscape photography with Sony NEX-5T
66
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
low battery pack (480 shots)
does not have Time Lapse function
70
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3")
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
great ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A550 Vlogging info
Sony NEX-5T Vlogging info
9
lack of video recording
73
selfie friendly display
touchscreen capability
has face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lack of image stabilization
lack of external mic support
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Sony A550 vs Sony NEX-5T Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A550 and Sony NEX-5T
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A550Sony Alpha NEX-5T
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 Sony Alpha NEX-5T
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2009-12-09 2013-08-27
Physical type Compact SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Bionz Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.4 x 15.6mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 365.0mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4592 x 3056 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 12800 25600
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 99
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount Sony/Minolta Alpha Sony E
Amount of lenses 143 121
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 922 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology - Tilt Up 180° Down 50° TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 95% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 7.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 12.00 m 7.00 m (ISO100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/160 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x1080 (60p/60i/24p)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 632 gr (1.39 pounds) 276 gr (0.61 pounds)
Dimensions 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") 111 x 59 x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 66 78
DXO Color Depth score 21.9 23.6
DXO Dynamic range score 11.8 13.0
DXO Low light score 807 1015
Other
Battery life 480 photographs 330 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-FM500H NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ((10/2 sec. delay), Self-timer (Cont.) (with 10 sec. delay; 3/5 exposures))
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $749 $400