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Sony A550 vs Sony RX100 IV

Portability
63
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV front
Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
79
Overall
62

Sony A550 vs Sony RX100 IV 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
  • Earlier Model is Sony A100
Sony RX100 IV
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-70mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
  • 298g - 102 x 58 x 41mm
  • Announced June 2015
  • Succeeded the Sony RX100 III
  • Newer Model is Sony RX100 V
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Sony A550 vs Sony RX100 IV Overview

Here, we will be analyzing the Sony A550 vs Sony RX100 IV, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the latter is a Large Sensor Compact and both of them are designed by Sony. There exists a significant gap between the resolutions of the A550 (14MP) and RX100 IV (20MP) and the A550 (APS-C) and RX100 IV (1") boast totally different sensor size.

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The A550 was introduced 6 years earlier than the RX100 IV which is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony RX100 IV being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before getting straight to a thorough comparison, here is a concise summary of how the A550 scores vs the RX100 IV when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Sony RX100 IV

 A550 RX100 IV 

Reasons to pick Sony RX100 IV over the Sony A550

 RX100 IV A550 
AnnouncedJune 2015December 2009More modern by 66 months
Screen resolution1229k922kCrisper screen (+307k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Sony A550 and Sony RX100 IV

 A550 RX100 IV 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Sony A550 vs Sony RX100 IV Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you will need to factor its weight and proportions. The Sony A550 provides exterior dimensions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") with a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs) and the Sony RX100 IV has measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 298 grams (0.66 lbs).

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Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the A550 versus the RX100 IV.

Sony A550 vs Sony RX100 IV size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the A550 and RX100 IV is 63 and 89 respectively.

Sony A550 vs Sony RX100 IV top view buttons comparison

Sony A550 vs Sony RX100 IV Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be tough to envision the gap between sensor sizes just by reading technical specs. The image underneath will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the A550 and RX100 IV.

As you can tell, both the cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The A550 with its bigger sensor will make getting bokeh simpler and the Sony RX100 IV will offer greater detail using its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots way more aggressively. The more aged A550 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Sony A550 vs Sony RX100 IV sensor size comparison

Sony A550 vs Sony RX100 IV Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A550 vs Sony RX100 IV Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony A550
Portrait photography with Sony RX100 IV
72
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
65
you can focus manually
above average flash sync (1/2,000 seconds)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (1")
features face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
no external flash support
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Street Comparison

Sony A550 Street photography advice
Sony RX100 IV Street photography advice
74
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
85
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Optical)
nice sensor size (1")
saves RAW formats
lighter than others (298 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sony A550
Sports photography with Sony RX100 IV
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
terrible battery pack (480 per charge)
68
quiet mode (1/32,000s)
high frames per second (16.0 frames per second)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (1")
features tracking autofocus
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Sony A550 Travel photography features
Sony RX100 IV Travel photography features
52
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
built-in flash
no Timelapse mode
terrible battery pack (480 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
86
lighter than others (298g)
good resolution (20MP)
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
decently wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A550 Landscape photography details
Sony RX100 IV Landscape photography details
66
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
terrible battery pack (480 shots)
no Timelapse mode
74
you can focus manually
decently wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (20MP)
nice sensor size (1")
saves RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony A550
Vlogging with Sony RX100 IV
9
can't record video
81
decently wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
display is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection autofocus
high res video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
lighter than others (298 grams)
missing external microphone socket
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Sony A550 vs Sony RX100 IV Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A550 and Sony RX100 IV
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A550Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV
Type Entry-Level DSLR Large Sensor Compact
Launched 2009-12-09 2015-06-10
Physical type Compact SLR Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Bionz Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1"
Sensor measurements 23.4 x 15.6mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor surface area 365.0mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4592 x 3056 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 12800 12800
Max boosted ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 200 125
RAW format
Min boosted ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens mount type Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-70mm (2.9x)
Highest aperture - f/1.8-2.8
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Amount of lenses 143 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 2.7
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 922k dots 1,229k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dots
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x 0.59x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Maximum quiet shutter speed - 1/32000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 7.0fps 16.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless -
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/160 secs 1/2000 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 3840 x 2160 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/24p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p/24p/120p), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution None 3840x2160
Video format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 632g (1.39 lbs) 298g (0.66 lbs)
Physical dimensions 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") 102 x 58 x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 66 70
DXO Color Depth rating 21.9 22.9
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.8 12.6
DXO Low light rating 807 562
Other
Battery life 480 images 280 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FM500H NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Retail cost $749 $898