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Sony A550 vs Sony RX100 VA

Portability
63
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V(A) front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
77
Overall
63

Sony A550 vs Sony RX100 VA 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
  • Announced December 2009
  • Superseded the Sony A100
Sony RX100 VA
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-70mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
  • 299g - 102 x 58 x 41mm
  • Announced July 2018
Photography Glossary

Sony A550 vs Sony RX100 VA Overview

Here is a in-depth comparison of the Sony A550 and Sony RX100 VA, one being a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Large Sensor Compact and both are sold by Sony. There exists a significant gap between the image resolutions of the A550 (14MP) and RX100 VA (20MP) and the A550 (APS-C) and RX100 VA (1") offer totally different sensor sizes.

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The A550 was announced 9 years before the RX100 VA and that is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony RX100 VA being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before going right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick overview of how the A550 grades against the RX100 VA in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Sony RX100 VA

 A550 RX100 VA 

Reasons to pick Sony RX100 VA over the Sony A550

 RX100 VA A550 
AnnouncedJuly 2018December 2009Fresher by 104 months
Display resolution1229k922kSharper display (+307k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Sony A550 and Sony RX100 VA

 A550 RX100 VA 
Manually focus More precise focus
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display size3"3"Same display dimensions
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Sony A550 vs Sony RX100 VA Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry your camera frequently, you are going to need to consider its weight and size. The Sony A550 offers physical measurements of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs) while the Sony RX100 VA has specifications of 102mm x 58mm x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") having a weight of 299 grams (0.66 lbs).

Compare the Sony A550 and Sony RX100 VA in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you choose at that time. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the A550 against the RX100 VA.

Sony A550 vs Sony RX100 VA size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A550 and RX100 VA is 63 and 89 respectively.

Sony A550 vs Sony RX100 VA top view buttons comparison

Sony A550 vs Sony RX100 VA Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is tough to envision the contrast between sensor sizing merely by reviewing a spec sheet. The graphic below will give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the A550 and RX100 VA.

As you can see, both the cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The A550 having a larger sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field easier and the Sony RX100 VA will offer more detail with its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will let you crop photos way more aggressively. The older A550 is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Sony A550 vs Sony RX100 VA sensor size comparison

Sony A550 vs Sony RX100 VA Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Sony A550 Portrait photography details
Sony RX100 VA Portrait photography details
72
you can focus manually
MP count good (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection focus
supports RAW files
66
manual focus
flash sync speed is above average (1/2,000s)
megapixel count good (20MP)
decent sensor size (1")
has face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
no external flash support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Sony A550
Street photography with Sony RX100 VA
74
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
86
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor size (1")
saves RAW formats
lighter than others (299g)
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Sports Comparison

Sony A550 as a Sports photography camera
Sony RX100 VA as a Sports photography camera
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
not so great battery pack (480 per charge)
70
quiet shutter (1/32,000s)
high fps (24.0 fps)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (20MP)
decent sensor size (1")
has tracking autofocus
has phase detect AF
not so great battery (220 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Sony A550 Travel photography highlights
Sony RX100 VA Travel photography highlights
52
MP count good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
no Time Lapse function
not so great battery pack (480 per charge)
does not contain selfie friendly display
76
lighter than others (299g)
megapixel count good (20MP)
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
decently wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
no Timelapse mode
not so great battery (220 shots)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A550 Landscape photography details
Sony RX100 VA Landscape photography details
66
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
not so great battery pack (480 per charge)
no Time Lapse function
66
manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (1")
saves RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
not so great battery (220 per charge)
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony A550
Vlogging with Sony RX100 VA
9
can't shoot video
81
decently wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
display is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
high video quality (3840 x 2160 pxls)
lighter than others (299 grams)
no external microphone support
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Sony A550 vs Sony RX100 VA Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A550 and Sony RX100 VA
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A550Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V(A)
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V(A)
Category Entry-Level DSLR Large Sensor Compact
Announced 2009-12-09 2018-07-13
Physical type Compact SLR Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4592 x 3056 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 12800 12800
Highest boosted ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 200 125
RAW files
Minimum 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 focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 9 315
Lens
Lens support Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-70mm (2.9x)
Highest aperture - f/1.8-2.8
Macro focusing range - 5cm
Number of lenses 143 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 2.7
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 922k dots 1,229k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
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 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Maximum quiet shutter speed - 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 7.0fps 24.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 12.00 m 10.20 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Rear Sync, Flash Off
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/160 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution None 3840x2160
Video file format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) NP-BX1 lithium-ion battery & USB charger
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 632g (1.39 pounds) 299g (0.66 pounds)
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 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.9 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.8 not tested
DXO Low light rating 807 not tested
Other
Battery life 480 shots 220 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FM500H NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording
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
Pricing at launch $749 $998