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Sony A550 vs Sony H20

Portability
63
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20 front
Portability
87
Imaging
33
Features
29
Overall
31

Sony A550 vs Sony H20 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
  • Revealed December 2009
  • Older Model is Sony A100
Sony H20
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 38-380mm (F3.5-4.4) lens
  • 250g - 107 x 69 x 47mm
  • Released May 2009
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Sony A550 vs Sony H20 Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Sony A550 versus Sony H20, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both manufactured by Sony. There is a large difference between the resolutions of the A550 (14MP) and H20 (10MP) and the A550 (APS-C) and H20 (1/2.3") provide totally different sensor size.

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The A550 was introduced 7 months after the H20 so they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony H20 being a Compact camera.

Before getting right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple overview of how the A550 grades against the H20 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Sony H20

 A550 H20 
ReleasedDecember 2009May 2009More modern by 7 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution922k230kSharper screen (+692k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony H20 over the Sony A550

 H20 A550 

Common features in the Sony A550 and Sony H20

 A550 H20 
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen size
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Sony A550 vs Sony H20 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry around your camera, you'll have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Sony A550 provides physical 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 H20 has proportions of 107mm x 69mm x 47mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.9") with a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs).

Examine the Sony A550 versus Sony H20 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilising during that time. Underneath is a front view over all size comparison of the A550 versus the H20.

Sony A550 vs Sony H20 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the A550 and H20 is 63 and 87 respectively.

Sony A550 vs Sony H20 top view buttons comparison

Sony A550 vs Sony H20 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is tough to see the contrast between sensor sizes only by checking specifications. The image here should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the A550 and H20.

Plainly, each of the cameras have different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The A550 with its bigger sensor will make achieving bokeh less difficult and the Sony A550 will give you more detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The fresher A550 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Sony A550 vs Sony H20 sensor size comparison

Sony A550 vs Sony H20 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A550 vs Sony H20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A550 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony H20 as a Portrait photography camera
72
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
27
you can focus manually
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Sony A550 Street photography advice
Sony H20 Street photography advice
74
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
51
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
more heavy than others (250 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sony A550 Sports photography details
Sony H20 Sports photography details
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
not so great battery life (480 shots)
26
image stabilization (Optical)
max fps low (2.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony A550 Travel photography highlights
Sony H20 Travel photography highlights
52
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse recording
not so great battery life (480 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
51
has built in flash
great reach (380mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
more heavy than others (250g)
megapixel count low (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (38mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A550 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony H20 as a Landscape photography camera
66
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
not so great battery life (480 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse recording
36
you can focus manually
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (38mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A550 Vlogging features
Sony H20 Vlogging features
9
can't shoot video
23
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (38mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external microphone support
more heavy than others (250g)
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Sony A550 vs Sony H20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A550 and Sony H20
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A550Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20
General Information
Company Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20
Type Entry-Level DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2009-12-09 2009-05-14
Physical type Compact SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Bionz -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 23.4 x 15.6mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 365.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4592 x 3056 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 12800 3200
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 38-380mm (10.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.5-4.4
Macro focusing distance - 2cm
Number of lenses 143 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of display 922k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate 7.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m 7.10 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1280x720
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 632 grams (1.39 lb) 250 grams (0.55 lb)
Physical dimensions 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") 107 x 69 x 47mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 66 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.9 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.8 not tested
DXO Low light rating 807 not tested
Other
Battery life 480 images -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID NP-FM500H NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $749 $249