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Sony A550 vs Sony HX50V

Portability
63
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50V front
Portability
89
Imaging
44
Features
57
Overall
49

Sony A550 vs Sony HX50V 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
  • Released December 2009
  • Succeeded the Sony A100
Sony HX50V
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Increase to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5 - 6.3) lens
  • 272g - 108 x 64 x 38mm
  • Revealed April 2013
  • Succeeded the Sony HX30V
Photography Glossary

Sony A550 vs Sony HX50V Overview

In this write-up, we are contrasting the Sony A550 vs Sony HX50V, one being a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are sold by Sony. There is a sizeable difference between the image resolutions of the A550 (14MP) and HX50V (20MP) and the A550 (APS-C) and HX50V (1/2.3") possess different sensor dimensions.

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The A550 was revealed 4 years before the HX50V and that is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony HX50V being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight into a complete comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the A550 grades versus the HX50V for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Sony HX50V

 A550 HX50V 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution922k921kCrisper display (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony HX50V over the Sony A550

 HX50V A550 
RevealedApril 2013December 2009Fresher by 41 months

Common features in the Sony A550 and Sony HX50V

 A550 HX50V 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Sony A550 vs Sony HX50V Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry your camera often, you will want to think about its weight and proportions. The Sony A550 features physical measurements of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") and a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs) whilst the Sony HX50V has measurements of 108mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 272 grams (0.60 lbs).

Take a look at the Sony A550 vs Sony HX50V in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are using at that moment. Here is the front view overall size comparison of the A550 against the HX50V.

Sony A550 vs Sony HX50V size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the A550 and HX50V is 63 and 89 respectively.

Sony A550 vs Sony HX50V top view buttons comparison

Sony A550 vs Sony HX50V Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be tough to visualize the gap between sensor sizing merely by looking at a spec sheet. The visual here will give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the A550 and HX50V.

Clearly, both of these cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The A550 having a larger sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field simpler and the Sony HX50V will give you greater detail because of its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images far more aggressively. The older A550 is going to be behind in sensor technology.

Sony A550 vs Sony HX50V sensor size comparison

Sony A550 vs Sony HX50V Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A550 vs Sony HX50V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A550 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony HX50V as a Portrait photography camera
72
you can focus manually
good resolution (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
50
you can focus manually
MP count good (20MP)
offers face detection focusing
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony A550 Street photography info
Sony HX50V Street photography info
74
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (272g)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sony A550 as a Sports photography camera
Sony HX50V as a Sports photography camera
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
low battery pack (480 shots)
57
long zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (20MP)
offers tracking autofocus
good battery pack (400 per charge)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony A550 as a Travel photography camera
Sony HX50V as a Travel photography camera
52
good resolution (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
no Timelapse mode
low battery pack (480 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
71
good battery pack (400 per charge)
lighter than others (272g)
MP count good (20MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
very long zoom (720mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5 )
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony A550
Landscape photography with Sony HX50V
66
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
low battery pack (480 CIPA)
no Timelapse mode
53
you can focus manually
relatively wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
good battery pack (400 shots)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5 )
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony A550
Vlogging with Sony HX50V
9
no video
34
relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others (272 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5 )
display isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have external mic jack
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Sony A550 vs Sony HX50V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A550 and Sony HX50V
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A550Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50V
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50V
Class Entry-Level DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2009-12-09 2013-04-24
Body design Compact SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Bionz -
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.4 x 15.6mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 365.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4592 x 3056 5184 x 2920
Maximum native ISO 12800 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO - 12800
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-720mm (30.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.5 - 6.3
Macro focus distance - 5cm
Number 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 922k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology - XtraFine LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 7.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m 5.60 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, Rear Sync, Advanced Flash
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 632 grams (1.39 lbs) 272 grams (0.60 lbs)
Dimensions 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") 108 x 64 x 38mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5")
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 400 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-FM500H NP-BX1
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 SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Price at release $749 $439