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Sony A550 vs Sony HX1

Portability
63
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 front
Portability
67
Imaging
32
Features
36
Overall
33

Sony A550 vs Sony HX1 Key Specs

Sony A550
(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
Sony HX1
(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
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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.

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The 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.

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Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Sony HX1

 A550 HX1 
RevealedDecember 2009April 2009More recent by 8 months
Screen resolution922k230kClearer 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 typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen sizing3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Sony A550 vs Sony HX1 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the A550 and HX1 is 63 and 67 respectively.

Sony A550 vs Sony HX1 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Sony A550 vs Sony HX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A550 vs Sony HX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A550 Portrait photography advice
Sony HX1 Portrait photography advice
72
you can focus manually
MP count good (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
27
you can focus manually
cannot use external flash
MP count low (9 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.4")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony A550 as a Street photography camera
Sony HX1 as a Street photography camera
74
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
50
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
tiny sensor size (1/2.4")
lack of RAW files
heavier than others (544g)
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Sports Comparison

Sony A550 as a Sports photography camera
Sony HX1 as a Sports photography camera
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
low battery life (480 shots)
36
long zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count low (9MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.4")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sony A550 Travel photography information
Sony HX1 Travel photography information
52
MP count good (14MP)
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse function
low battery life (480 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
48
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
very long zoom (560mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
heavier than others (544g)
MP count low (9 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A550 Landscape photography advice
Sony HX1 Landscape photography advice
66
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
low battery life (480 per charge)
lack of Timelapse function
39
you can focus manually
rather wide (28mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
MP count low (9MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.4")
lack of RAW files
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A550 Vlogging features
Sony HX1 Vlogging features
9
no video
22
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1440 x 1080 pxls)
missing external mic port
heavier than others (544 grams)
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Sony A550 vs Sony HX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A550 and Sony HX1
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A550Sony 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