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Sony A550 vs Sony H90

Portability
63
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H90 front
Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37

Sony A550 vs Sony H90 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
  • Launched December 2009
  • Replaced the Sony A100
Sony H90
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 222g - 105 x 60 x 34mm
  • Announced February 2012
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Sony A550 vs Sony H90 Overview

In this article, we are comparing the Sony A550 and Sony H90, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are created by Sony. The resolution of the A550 (14MP) and the H90 (16MP) is fairly comparable but the A550 (APS-C) and H90 (1/2.3") possess totally different sensor dimensions.

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The A550 was launched 3 years earlier than the H90 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony H90 being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple overview of how the A550 scores vs the H90 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Sony H90

 A550 H90 
Focus manually More precise focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution922k461kClearer display (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony H90 over the Sony A550

 H90 A550 
AnnouncedFebruary 2012December 2009Newer by 27 months

Common features in the Sony A550 and Sony H90

 A550 H90 
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Sony A550 vs Sony H90 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to travel with your camera often, you will need to take into account its weight and size. The Sony A550 features outer dimensions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs) and the Sony H90 has specifications of 105mm x 60mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 222 grams (0.49 lbs).

Examine the Sony A550 and Sony H90 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are utilising during that time. Below is the front view sizing comparison of the A550 versus the H90.

Sony A550 vs Sony H90 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the A550 and H90 is 63 and 91 respectively.

Sony A550 vs Sony H90 top view buttons comparison

Sony A550 vs Sony H90 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's difficult to see the difference in sensor dimensions merely by checking out specs. The image here will help give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the A550 and H90.

All in all, both the cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The A550 due to its larger sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field easier and the Sony H90 will provide more detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop images a little more aggressively. The more aged A550 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Sony A550 vs Sony H90 sensor size comparison

Sony A550 vs Sony H90 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A550 vs Sony H90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A550 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony H90 as a Portrait photography camera
72
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has face detection focus
exports RAW formats
36
good resolution (16MP)
comes with face detection focusing
manual focus not available
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Sony A550
Street photography with Sony H90
74
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (222g)
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sony A550 Sports photography factors
Sony H90 Sports photography factors
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
bad battery power (480 CIPA)
44
long zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Sony A550 Travel photography highlights
Sony H90 Travel photography highlights
52
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
no Time Lapse mode
bad battery power (480 per charge)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
69
lighter than competition in class (222 grams)
good resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
long zoom (384mm)
missing Timelapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A550 Landscape photography info
Sony H90 Landscape photography info
66
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
bad battery power (480 per charge)
no Time Lapse mode
44
fairly wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A550 as a Vlogging camera
Sony H90 as a Vlogging camera
9
no video shooting
32
fairly wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focusing
lighter than competition in class (222g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external microphone port
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Sony A550 vs Sony H90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A550 and Sony H90
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A550Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H90
General Information
Company Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H90
Type Entry-Level DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2009-12-09 2012-02-28
Body design Compact SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Bionz 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 surface area 365.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4592 x 3056 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 12800 3200
Minimum native ISO 200 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 9 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-384mm (16.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus distance - 5cm
Amount of lenses 143 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 922 thousand dot 461 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech - ClearPhoto TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed 7.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m 3.70 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1280x720
Video file format - MPEG-4
Microphone 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) 222 gr (0.49 pounds)
Dimensions 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") 105 x 60 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
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 shots 290 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-FM500H NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $749 $230