Sony A550 vs Sony S980
63 Imaging
54 Features
65 Overall
58
94 Imaging
34 Features
17 Overall
27
Sony A550 vs Sony S980 Key Specs
(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
- Replaced the Sony A100
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- 1280 x 720 video
- 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
- 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
- Released February 2009
Sony A550 vs Sony S980 Overview
In this article, we will be contrasting the Sony A550 and Sony S980, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both are created by Sony. The sensor resolution of the A550 (14MP) and the S980 (12MP) is relatively close but the A550 (APS-C) and S980 (1/2.3") possess different sensor measurements.
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhoneThe A550 was brought out 10 months after the S980 so they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony S980 being a Compact camera.
Before getting in to a in depth comparison, below is a brief summary of how the A550 grades against the S980 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
Sony A550 vs Sony S980 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980. The entire galleries are viewable at Sony A550 Gallery and Sony S980 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Sony S980
A550 | S980 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | December 2009 | February 2009 | More modern by 10 months | |
Screen type | Tilting | Fixed | Tilting screen | |
Screen sizing | 3" | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") | |
Screen resolution | 922k | 230k | Sharper screen (+692k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Sony A550
S980 | A550 |
---|
Common features in the Sony A550 and Sony S980
A550 | S980 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | More precise focusing | |||
Selfie screen | Neither offers selfie screen | |||
Touch friendly screen | Neither offers Touch friendly screen |
Sony A550 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison
If you are going to carry around your camera, you'll have to factor in its weight and size. The Sony A550 offers physical measurements of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") having a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs) whilst the Sony S980 has specifications of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).
Check out the Sony A550 and Sony S980 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you select at that time. Underneath is the front view over all size comparison of the A550 compared to the S980.
Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the A550 and S980 is 63 and 94 respectively.
Sony A550 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it can be difficult to imagine the difference in sensor sizes just by viewing a spec sheet. The picture here will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the A550 and S980.
Clearly, both of these cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The A550 because of its bigger sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF less difficult and the Sony A550 will provide you with more detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop shots a little more aggressively. The more recent A550 should have a benefit in sensor innovation.
Sony A550 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Street Comparison
Sports Comparison
Travel Comparison
Landscape Comparison
Vlogging Comparison
Sony A550 vs Sony S980 Specifications
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Sony | Sony |
Model type | Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 |
Category | Entry-Level DSLR | Small Sensor Compact |
Announced | 2009-12-09 | 2009-02-17 |
Body design | Compact SLR | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Bionz | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
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 | 14 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4592 x 3056 | 4000 x 3000 |
Highest native ISO | 12800 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 200 | 80 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Sony/Minolta Alpha | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | - | 33-132mm (4.0x) |
Highest aperture | - | f/3.3-5.2 |
Macro focusing distance | - | 10cm |
Available lenses | 143 | - |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Tilting | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3 inches | 2.7 inches |
Display resolution | 922k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentamirror) | None |
Viewfinder coverage | 95 percent | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.53x | - |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30s | 2s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/1600s |
Continuous shooting speed | 7.0 frames per sec | 1.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 12.00 m | 3.50 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | 1/160s | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | - | 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | None | 1280x720 |
Video format | - | Motion JPEG |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 632g (1.39 lb) | 167g (0.37 lb) |
Dimensions | 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") | 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
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 | - |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | NP-FM500H | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail pricing | $749 | $300 |