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Sony A550 vs Sony RX100 VII

Portability
63
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII front
Portability
88
Imaging
54
Features
78
Overall
63

Sony A550 vs Sony RX100 VII 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
  • Revealed December 2009
  • Previous Model is Sony A100
Sony RX100 VII
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 125 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-200mm (F2.8-4.5) lens
  • 302g - 102 x 58 x 43mm
  • Revealed July 2019
  • Replaced the Sony RX100 VI
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Sony A550 vs Sony RX100 VII Overview

Here, we are analyzing the Sony A550 vs Sony RX100 VII, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the other is a Large Sensor Compact and they are both offered by Sony. There is a substantial difference among the resolutions of the A550 (14MP) and RX100 VII (20MP) and the A550 (APS-C) and RX100 VII (1") have totally different sensor measurements.

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The A550 was brought out 10 years earlier than the RX100 VII which is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony RX100 VII being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before delving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief overview of how the A550 grades vs the RX100 VII with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Sony RX100 VII

 A550 RX100 VII 
Display resolution922k921kClearer display (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony RX100 VII over the Sony A550

 RX100 VII A550 
RevealedJuly 2019December 2009Newer by 117 months
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Sony A550 and Sony RX100 VII

 A550 RX100 VII 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display size3"3"Same display measurements

Sony A550 vs Sony RX100 VII Physical Comparison

When you are intending to travel with your camera frequently, you need to take into account its weight and size. The Sony A550 has exterior 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 RX100 VII has specifications of 102mm x 58mm x 43mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.7") with a weight of 302 grams (0.67 lbs).

See the Sony A550 vs Sony RX100 VII in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are using at that time. The following is a front view scale comparison of the A550 versus the RX100 VII.

Sony A550 vs Sony RX100 VII size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the A550 and RX100 VII is 63 and 88 respectively.

Sony A550 vs Sony RX100 VII top view buttons comparison

Sony A550 vs Sony RX100 VII Sensor Comparison

Usually, its hard to see the difference in sensor dimensions purely by looking through specifications. The picture underneath may provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the A550 and RX100 VII.

To sum up, both cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The A550 due to its larger sensor will make achieving shallow DOF simpler and the Sony RX100 VII will render extra detail having its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The more aged A550 will be behind in sensor technology.

Sony A550 vs Sony RX100 VII sensor size comparison

Sony A550 vs Sony RX100 VII Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A550 vs Sony RX100 VII Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A550 Portrait photography details
Sony RX100 VII Portrait photography details
72
focusing manually
good resolution (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
66
you can focus manually
high flash sync speed (1/2,000s)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
offers face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
cannot use external flash
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Street Comparison

Sony A550 Street photography advice
Sony RX100 VII Street photography advice
74
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
85
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
good sensor size (1")
exports RAW files
offers focus by touch
lighter than average (302g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sony A550
Sports photography with Sony RX100 VII
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
low battery life (480 shots)
70
quiet shooting (1/32,000s)
fast shooting (20.0 frames per second)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
offers tracking autofocus
sensor has phase detect autofocus
bad battery power (260 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Sony A550 Travel photography details
Sony RX100 VII Travel photography details
52
good resolution (14MP)
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse mode
low battery life (480 shots)
does not have selfie friendly display
77
lighter than average (302 grams)
connects via bluetooth
offers focus by touch
MP count good (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
decently wide (24mm)
bad battery power (260 shots)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A550 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony RX100 VII as a Landscape photography camera
66
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen is a good size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
low battery life (480 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
65
you can focus manually
decently wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (20MP)
good sensor size (1")
exports RAW files
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
bad battery power (260 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A550 Vlogging highlights
Sony RX100 VII Vlogging highlights
9
can't shoot video
81
decently wide (24mm)
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection autofocus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
includes external microphone socket
lighter than average (302g)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Sony A550 vs Sony RX100 VII Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A550 and Sony RX100 VII
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A550Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII
Category Entry-Level DSLR Large Sensor Compact
Revealed 2009-12-09 2019-07-25
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 area 365.0mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4592 x 3056 5472 x 3648
Maximum native ISO 12800 12800
Minimum native ISO 200 125
RAW pictures
Minimum boosted ISO - 64
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-200mm (8.3x)
Highest aperture - f/2.8-4.5
Macro focus range - 8cm
Amount of lenses 143 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 2.7
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of display 922k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,360k dots
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x 0.59x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Highest quiet shutter speed - 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 7.0 frames per sec 20.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m 5.90 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless -
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest 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
Maximum video resolution None 3840x2160
Video data 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) NP-BX1 lithium-ion battery & USB charger
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 632 gr (1.39 pounds) 302 gr (0.67 pounds)
Physical dimensions 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") 102 x 58 x 43mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 66 63
DXO Color Depth score 21.9 21.8
DXO Dynamic range score 11.8 12.4
DXO Low light score 807 418
Other
Battery life 480 photographs 260 photographs
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-FM500H NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots 1 1
Retail pricing $749 $1,298