Sony A550 vs Sony a1

Here is a thorough analysis of the Sony A550 vs Sony a1, one being a Entry-Level DSLR and the latter is a Pro Mirrorless and both are sold by Sony. There is a huge difference among the sensor resolutions of the A550 (14MP) and a1 (50MP) and the A550 (APS-C) and a1 (Full frame) boast totally different sensor sizes.

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The A550 was introduced 12 years prior to the a1 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony a1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting into a in-depth comparison, here is a quick view of how the A550 scores vs the a1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 and Sony Alpha a1. The whole galleries are provided at Sony A550 Gallery and Sony a1 Gallery.

If you're planning to carry your camera regularly, you have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Sony A550 has outside dimensions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") and a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs) and the Sony a1 has dimensions of 129mm x 97mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 737 grams (1.62 lbs).

See the Sony A550 vs Sony a1 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are working with during that time. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the A550 versus the a1.

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the A550 and a1 is 63 and 61 respectively.

In many cases, it can be tough to visualise the contrast in sensor sizing just by researching a spec sheet. The visual underneath should offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the A550 and a1.

Clearly, each of the cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The A550 with its smaller sensor will make achieving bokeh more difficult and the Sony a1 will result in extra detail using its extra 36MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop pictures more aggressively. The older A550 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.