Sony A550 vs Sony NEX-6
63 Imaging
53 Features
65 Overall
57
85 Imaging
57 Features
76 Overall
64
Sony A550 vs Sony NEX-6 Key Specs
(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
- Old Model is Sony A100
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 25600
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 345g - 120 x 67 x 43mm
- Released March 2013
- Later Model is Sony A6000
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Its time to look more closely at the Sony A550 versus Sony NEX-6, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless and both are produced by Sony. The image resolution of the A550 (14MP) and the NEX-6 (16MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras have the same sensor size (APS-C).
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next monthThe A550 was revealed 4 years before the NEX-6 which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony NEX-6 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before diving right into a complete comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the A550 scores versus the NEX-6 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
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Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 & Sony Alpha NEX-6. The full galleries are provided at Sony A550 Gallery & Sony NEX-6 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Sony NEX-6
| A550 | NEX-6 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen resolution | 922k | 921k | Sharper screen (+1k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-6 over the Sony A550
| NEX-6 | A550 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Released | March 2013 | December 2009 | Newer by 40 months |
Common features in the Sony A550 and Sony NEX-6
| A550 | NEX-6 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focus manually | Dial accurate focus | |||
| Screen type | Tilting | Tilting | Tilting screen | |
| Screen dimensions | 3" | 3" | Equal screen size | |
| Selfie screen | Neither has selfie screen | |||
| Touch friendly screen | Absent Touch friendly screen |
Sony A550 vs Sony NEX-6 Physical Comparison
For those who are intending to travel with your camera regularly, you'll need to consider its weight and measurements. The Sony A550 has exterior measurements of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") with a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs) while the Sony NEX-6 has proportions of 120mm x 67mm x 43mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 1.7") along with a weight of 345 grams (0.76 lbs).
See the Sony A550 versus Sony NEX-6 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have during that time. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the A550 versus the NEX-6.

Using size and weight, the portability score of the A550 and NEX-6 is 63 and 85 respectively.
Sony A550 vs Sony NEX-6 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it is very hard to picture the contrast between sensor dimensions just by checking a spec sheet. The image below will offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the A550 and NEX-6.
Clearly, both the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You can count on the Sony NEX-6 to give extra detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop photographs more aggressively. The more aged A550 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.
Sony A550 vs Sony NEX-6 Screen and ViewFinder
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Sony A550 vs Sony NEX-6 Specifications
| Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 | Sony Alpha NEX-6 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand Name | Sony | Sony |
| Model | Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 | Sony Alpha NEX-6 |
| Type | Entry-Level DSLR | Advanced Mirrorless |
| Announced | 2009-12-09 | 2013-03-25 |
| Body design | Compact SLR | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor | Bionz | Bionz |
| Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
| Sensor dimensions | 23.4 x 15.6mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
| Sensor area | 365.0mm² | 366.6mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 14MP | 16MP |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Max resolution | 4592 x 3056 | 4912 x 3264 |
| Max native ISO | 12800 | 25600 |
| Lowest native ISO | 200 | 100 |
| RAW photos | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focus | ||
| Touch focus | ||
| AF continuous | ||
| Single AF | ||
| Tracking AF | ||
| Selective AF | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| Multi area AF | ||
| AF live view | ||
| Face detection AF | ||
| Contract detection AF | ||
| Phase detection AF | ||
| Number of focus points | 9 | 99 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mounting type | Sony/Minolta Alpha | Sony E |
| Available lenses | 143 | 121 |
| Crop factor | 1.5 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen type | Tilting | Tilting |
| Screen size | 3 inches | 3 inches |
| Resolution of screen | 922k dot | 921k dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch display | ||
| Screen technology | - | Xtra Fine LCD with Tilt Up 90� and Down 45� |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | Optical (pentamirror) | Electronic |
| Viewfinder resolution | - | 2,359k dot |
| Viewfinder coverage | 95 percent | 100 percent |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.53x | 0.73x |
| Features | ||
| Min shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
| Max shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/4000s |
| Continuous shutter speed | 7.0fps | 10.0fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Change WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash range | 12.00 m | 6.00 m |
| Flash options | 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 |
| Hot shoe | ||
| Auto exposure bracketing | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Max flash sync | 1/160s | 1/160s |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment | ||
| Average | ||
| Spot | ||
| Partial | ||
| AF area | ||
| Center weighted | ||
| Video features | ||
| Video resolutions | - | 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Max video resolution | None | 1920x1080 |
| Video format | - | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
| Mic jack | ||
| Headphone jack | ||
| 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 | ||
| Environment seal | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 632g (1.39 lb) | 345g (0.76 lb) |
| Physical dimensions | 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") | 120 x 67 x 43mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 1.7") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall score | 66 | 78 |
| DXO Color Depth score | 21.9 | 23.7 |
| DXO Dynamic range score | 11.8 | 13.1 |
| DXO Low light score | 807 | 1018 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 480 photos | 360 photos |
| Battery form | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | NP-FM500H | NPFW50 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
| Time lapse feature | With downloadable app | |
| Type of storage | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
| Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
| Launch price | $749 | $365 |