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Sony A550 vs Sony T900

Portability
63
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T900 front
Portability
96
Imaging
34
Features
30
Overall
32

Sony A550 vs Sony T900 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
  • Introduced December 2009
  • Superseded the Sony A100
Sony T900
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-10.0) lens
  • 143g - 98 x 58 x 16mm
  • Released February 2009
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Sony A550 vs Sony T900 Overview

In this write-up, we will be looking at the Sony A550 and Sony T900, former being a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Ultracompact and both are sold by Sony. The sensor resolution of the A550 (14MP) and the T900 (12MP) is relatively well matched but the A550 (APS-C) and T900 (1/2.3") come with different sensor sizes.

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The A550 was released 10 months later than the T900 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony T900 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before delving straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a short highlight of how the A550 grades against the T900 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Sony T900

 A550 T900 
ReleasedDecember 2009February 2009Fresher by 10 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Reasons to pick Sony T900 over the Sony A550

 T900 A550 
Screen sizing3.5"3"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Sony A550 and Sony T900

 A550 T900 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Screen resolution922k922kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Sony A550 vs Sony T900 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry your camera, you will have to factor its weight and measurements. The Sony A550 enjoys physical measurements 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 T900 has proportions of 98mm x 58mm x 16mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.6") accompanied by a weight of 143 grams (0.32 lbs).

Check out the Sony A550 and Sony T900 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you use during that time. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the A550 versus the T900.

Sony A550 vs Sony T900 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the A550 and T900 is 63 and 96 respectively.

Sony A550 vs Sony T900 top view buttons comparison

Sony A550 vs Sony T900 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's hard to imagine the gap between sensor sizing just by checking technical specs. The graphic underneath may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the A550 and T900.

As you have seen, both cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The A550 because of its bigger sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field easier and the Sony A550 will give extra detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots a little more aggressively. The more recent A550 provides a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Sony A550 vs Sony T900 sensor size comparison

Sony A550 vs Sony T900 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A550 vs Sony T900 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A550 Portrait photography details
Sony T900 Portrait photography details
72
you can focus manually
MP count good (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
27
you can focus manually
no manual control
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Sony A550
Street photography with Sony T900
74
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sony A550 Sports photography features
Sony T900 Sports photography features
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
bad battery power (480 shots)
24
built in image stabilization (Optical)
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,000s)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Sony A550 Travel photography information
Sony T900 Travel photography information
52
MP count good (14MP)
built-in flash
no Timelapse recording
bad battery power (480 shots)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
51
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse recording
sensor resolution low (12MP)
does not posses selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Sony A550 Landscape photography details
Sony T900 Landscape photography details
66
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
bad battery power (480 shots)
no Timelapse recording
36
you can focus manually
screen larger than average (3.5 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A550 Vlogging features
Sony T900 Vlogging features
9
no video shooting
28
touch screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
does not posses selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone socket
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Sony A550 vs Sony T900 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A550 and Sony T900
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A550Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T900
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T900
Type Entry-Level DSLR Ultracompact
Introduced 2009-12-09 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact SLR Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Powered by Bionz -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 23.4 x 15.6mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 365.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4592 x 3056 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 12800 3200
Lowest native ISO 200 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens focal range - 35-140mm (4.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.5-10.0
Number of lenses 143 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3.5 inch
Resolution of display 922 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 2 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 7.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m 2.90 m (Auto ISO)
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
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1280x720
Video file format - Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 632 grams (1.39 lb) 143 grams (0.32 lb)
Dimensions 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") 98 x 58 x 16mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 66 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.9 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.8 not tested
DXO Low light score 807 not tested
Other
Battery life 480 images -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery model NP-FM500H -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing $749 $300