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Sony A550 vs Sony G3

Portability
63
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Sony A550 vs Sony G3 Key Specs

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
  • Announced December 2009
  • Previous Model is Sony A100
Sony G3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-10.0) lens
  • 185g - 97 x 59 x 22mm
  • Launched January 2009
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Sony A550 vs Sony G3 Overview

Let's look a little more in depth at the Sony A550 versus Sony G3, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the other is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both produced by Sony. There is a considerable difference among the resolutions of the A550 (14MP) and G3 (10MP) and the A550 (APS-C) and G3 (1/2.3") possess different sensor sizes.

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The A550 was announced 12 months after the G3 and they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony G3 being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight into a thorough comparison, below is a simple view of how the A550 grades vs the G3 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Sony G3

 A550 G3 
LaunchedDecember 2009January 2009More modern by 12 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution922k921kSharper display (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony G3 over the Sony A550

 G3 A550 
Display sizing3.5"3"Larger display (+0.5")
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Sony A550 and Sony G3

 A550 G3 
Manually focus More accurate focus
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Sony A550 vs Sony G3 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry around your camera often, you have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Sony A550 has got 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) whilst the Sony G3 has dimensions of 97mm x 59mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9") and a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs).

Analyze the Sony A550 versus Sony G3 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have at that moment. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the A550 against the G3.

Sony A550 vs Sony G3 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the A550 and G3 is 63 and 94 respectively.

Sony A550 vs Sony G3 top view buttons comparison

Sony A550 vs Sony G3 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very tough to visualize the gap in sensor sizes simply by viewing specifications. The picture underneath will give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the A550 and G3.

To sum up, the two cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The A550 with its larger sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field less difficult and the Sony A550 will result in extra detail with its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop photos far more aggressively. The younger A550 should have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Sony A550 vs Sony G3 sensor size comparison

Sony A550 vs Sony G3 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A550 vs Sony G3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A550 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony G3 as a Portrait photography camera
72
manual focus
good MP (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features face detection focusing
exports RAW files
26
focusing manually
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Sony A550 as a Street photography camera
Sony G3 as a Street photography camera
74
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sony A550 Sports photography information
Sony G3 Sports photography information
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
low battery power (480 shots)
23
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max shutter speed is low (1/1,000 seconds)
low fps (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sony A550 Travel photography information
Sony G3 Travel photography information
52
good MP (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
low battery power (480 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
50
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution low (10MP)
does not feature selfie friendly display
wide angle not great (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A550 Landscape photography highlights
Sony G3 Landscape photography highlights
66
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
low battery power (480 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse recording
36
focusing manually
big screen (3.5 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not possible
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A550 Vlogging factors
Sony G3 Vlogging factors
9
no video
27
touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not feature selfie friendly display
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have mic port
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Sony A550 vs Sony G3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A550 and Sony G3
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A550Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3
Category Entry-Level DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2009-12-09 2009-01-08
Body design Compact SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Bionz -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.4 x 15.6mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 365.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4592 x 3056 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 12800 3200
Minimum native ISO 200 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens focal range - 35-140mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.5-10.0
Available lenses 143 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3.5 inch
Resolution of display 922k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 1 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 7.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m 4.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 640x480
Video format - Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 632 gr (1.39 pounds) 185 gr (0.41 pounds)
Dimensions 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") 97 x 59 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 66 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.9 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.8 not tested
DXO Low light score 807 not tested
Other
Battery life 480 pictures -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model NP-FM500H -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $749 $200