Sony A550 vs Sony A6000
63 Imaging
53 Features
65 Overall
57


85 Imaging
65 Features
78 Overall
70
Sony A550 vs Sony A6000 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
- Launched December 2009
- Previous Model is Sony A100
(Full Review)
- 24MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 25600 (Increase to 51200)
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 344g - 120 x 67 x 45mm
- Launched April 2014
- Older Model is Sony NEX-6
- Later Model is Sony A6300

Sony A550 vs Sony A6000 Overview
Here is a in-depth assessment of the Sony A550 vs Sony A6000, former being a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless and they are both created by Sony. There is a noticeable difference between the image resolutions of the A550 (14MP) and A6000 (24MP) but they possess the exact same sensor sizes (APS-C).

The A550 was announced 5 years earlier than the A6000 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras come with different body type with the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony A6000 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before diving through a full comparison, below is a short view of how the A550 grades versus the A6000 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Sony A550 vs Sony A6000 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 & Sony Alpha a6000. The whole galleries are viewable at Sony A550 Gallery & Sony A6000 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Sony A6000
A550 | A6000 |
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Reasons to pick Sony A6000 over the Sony A550
A6000 | A550 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | April 2014 | ![]() | December 2009 | Fresher by 53 months |
Common features in the Sony A550 and Sony A6000
A550 | A6000 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More precise focus | ||
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Tilting | Tilting screen |
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical screen dimensions |
Screen resolution | 922k | ![]() | 922k | Identical screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither features selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Lack of Touch friendly screen |
Sony A550 vs Sony A6000 Physical Comparison
In case you're intending to carry your camera, you'll need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Sony A550 enjoys 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) while the Sony A6000 has dimensions of 120mm x 67mm x 45mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 1.8") accompanied by a weight of 344 grams (0.76 lbs).
See the Sony A550 vs Sony A6000 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you choose at that time. The following is the front view size comparison of the A550 versus the A6000.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the A550 and A6000 is 63 and 85 respectively.

Sony A550 vs Sony A6000 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it's hard to envision the gap between sensor sizing only by going over a spec sheet. The graphic below will offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the A550 and A6000.
As you can see, both of these cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Sony A6000 to offer more detail with its extra 10MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots much more aggressively. The older A550 is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Sony A550 vs Sony A6000 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Sony A550 vs Sony A6000 Specifications
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 | Sony Alpha a6000 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Sony | Sony |
Model | Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 | Sony Alpha a6000 |
Category | Entry-Level DSLR | Advanced Mirrorless |
Launched | 2009-12-09 | 2014-04-23 |
Physical type | Compact SLR | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Bionz | Bionz X |
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 | 14 megapixels | 24 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 4592 x 3056 | 6000 x 4000 |
Max native ISO | 12800 | 25600 |
Max boosted ISO | - | 51200 |
Lowest native ISO | 200 | 100 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 179 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Sony/Minolta Alpha | Sony E |
Total lenses | 143 | 121 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Tilting | Tilting |
Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen resolution | 922 thousand dots | 922 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Screen technology | - | TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentamirror) | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 1,440 thousand dots |
Viewfinder coverage | 95% | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.53x | 0.7x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 7.0 frames/s | 11.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 12.00 m | 6.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless | Flash off, auto, fill-flaw, slow sync, redeye reduction, hi-speed sync, wireless control |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum 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 | ||
Supported video resolutions | - | 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) |
Max video resolution | None | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | - | MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
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 | 632g (1.39 lb) | 344g (0.76 lb) |
Dimensions | 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") | 120 x 67 x 45mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 1.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 66 | 82 |
DXO Color Depth score | 21.9 | 24.1 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 11.8 | 13.1 |
DXO Low light score | 807 | 1347 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 480 pictures | 360 pictures |
Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | NP-FM500H | NP-FW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, continuous (3-5 shot)) |
Time lapse recording | With downloadable app | |
Storage type | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Launch price | $749 | $548 |