Sony A550 vs Sony HX7V

In this article, we will be matching up the Sony A550 and Sony HX7V, former being a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are designed by Sony. The sensor resolution of the A550 (14MP) and the HX7V (16MP) is relatively close but the A550 (APS-C) and HX7V (1/2.3") enjoy different sensor dimensions.

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The A550 was brought out 19 months earlier than the HX7V which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. The two cameras offer different body type with the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony HX7V being a Compact camera.

Before delving through a in depth comparison, below is a concise summary of how the A550 grades against the HX7V when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V. The entire galleries are viewable at Sony A550 Gallery & Sony HX7V Gallery.

If you're aiming to lug around your camera, you need to think about its weight and proportions. The Sony A550 comes with outside 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) whilst the Sony HX7V has measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs).

Look at the Sony A550 and Sony HX7V in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilising at the time. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the A550 against the HX7V.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the A550 and HX7V is 63 and 92 respectively.

Quite often, it can be hard to imagine the gap in sensor measurements purely by viewing technical specs. The photograph here may offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the A550 and HX7V.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The A550 featuring a bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF less difficult and the Sony HX7V will result in greater detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures a little more aggressively. The older A550 will be behind with regard to sensor technology.