Sony A550 vs Sony HX1
63 Imaging
54 Features
65 Overall
58
67 Imaging
32 Features
36 Overall
33
Sony A550 vs Sony HX1 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
- Announced December 2009
- Previous Model is Sony A100
(Full Review)
- 9MP - 1/2.4" Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 125 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1440 x 1080 video
- 28-560mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
- 544g - 115 x 83 x 92mm
- Revealed April 2009
Sony A550 vs Sony HX1 Overview
In this article, we will be evaluating the Sony A550 and Sony HX1, former being a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are created by Sony. There is a large difference among the image resolutions of the A550 (14MP) and HX1 (9MP) and the A550 (APS-C) and HX1 (1/2.4") enjoy totally different sensor measurements.
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a LandslideThe A550 was unveiled 8 months later than the HX1 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both cameras offer different body type with the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony HX1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.
Before getting through a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the A550 matches up against the HX1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
Sony A550 vs Sony HX1 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery images for Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1. The full galleries are viewable at Sony A550 Gallery & Sony HX1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Sony HX1
A550 | HX1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | December 2009 | April 2009 | More recent by 8 months | |
Screen resolution | 922k | 230k | Clearer screen (+692k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony HX1 over the Sony A550
HX1 | A550 |
---|
Common features in the Sony A550 and Sony HX1
A550 | HX1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | Very accurate focus | |||
Screen type | Tilting | Tilting | Tilting screen | |
Screen sizing | 3" | 3" | Equivalent screen measurements | |
Selfie screen | Missing selfie screen | |||
Touch screen | Missing Touch screen |
Sony A550 vs Sony HX1 Physical Comparison
If you are aiming to lug around your camera often, you should think about its weight and size. The Sony A550 features outer dimensions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") along with a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs) and the Sony HX1 has specifications of 115mm x 83mm x 92mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.6") having a weight of 544 grams (1.20 lbs).
Compare the Sony A550 and Sony HX1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have at that moment. The following is the front view overall size comparison of the A550 against the HX1.
Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the A550 and HX1 is 63 and 67 respectively.
Sony A550 vs Sony HX1 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it is hard to see the gap in sensor measurements merely by looking through specifications. The graphic below will give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the A550 and HX1.
Plainly, each of these cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The A550 using its bigger sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field simpler and the Sony A550 will result in greater detail having an extra 5 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs far more aggressively. The younger A550 will have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.
Sony A550 vs Sony HX1 Screen and ViewFinder
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Street Comparison
Sports Comparison
Travel Comparison
Landscape Comparison
Vlogging Comparison
Sony A550 vs Sony HX1 Specifications
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Sony | Sony |
Model | Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 |
Category | Entry-Level DSLR | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Announced | 2009-12-09 | 2009-04-22 |
Body design | Compact SLR | SLR-like (bridge) |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Bionz | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | 1/2.4" |
Sensor dimensions | 23.4 x 15.6mm | 6.104 x 4.578mm |
Sensor area | 365.0mm² | 27.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14MP | 9MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4592 x 3056 | 3456 x 2592 |
Highest native ISO | 12800 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 200 | 125 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Sony/Minolta Alpha | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | - | 28-560mm (20.0x) |
Max aperture | - | f/2.8-5.2 |
Macro focus distance | - | 1cm |
Number of lenses | 143 | - |
Crop factor | 1.5 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Tilting | Tilting |
Screen sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 922k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentamirror) | Electronic |
Viewfinder coverage | 95 percent | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.53x | - |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 7.0 frames per sec | 10.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 12.00 m | 9.20 m |
Flash options | 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 |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | 1/160 secs | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | - | 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | None | 1440x1080 |
Video file format | - | H.264 |
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 | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 632 gr (1.39 lbs) | 544 gr (1.20 lbs) |
Dimensions | 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") | 115 x 83 x 92mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.6") |
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 images | - |
Battery form | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | NP-FM500H | NP-FH50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Launch pricing | $749 | $47,999 |