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Sony A550 vs Sony S980

Portability
63
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Sony A550 vs Sony S980 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
  • Replaced the Sony A100
Sony S980
(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
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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.

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The 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.

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Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Sony S980

 A550 S980 
ReleasedDecember 2009February 2009More modern by 10 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution922k230kSharper 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Sony A550 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the A550 and S980 is 63 and 94 respectively.

Sony A550 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Sony A550 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A550 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A550 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony S980 as a Portrait photography camera
72
manual focus
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features face detect focus
supports RAW formats
27
has manual focus
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony A550 as a Street photography camera
Sony S980 as a Street photography camera
74
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
47
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sony A550 Sports photography factors
Sony S980 Sports photography factors
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
terrible battery pack (480 shots)
17
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony A550 Travel photography factors
Sony S980 Travel photography factors
52
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse recording
terrible battery pack (480 per charge)
does not posses selfie friendly display
51
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse recording
MP count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A550 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony S980 as a Landscape photography camera
66
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
terrible battery pack (480 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
27
has manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not possible
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A550 Vlogging information
Sony S980 Vlogging information
9
can't record video
22
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic jack
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Sony A550 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A550 and Sony S980
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A550Sony 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