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Sony A550 vs Sony TF1

Portability
63
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TF1 front
Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
34
Overall
37

Sony A550 vs Sony TF1 Key Specs

Sony A550
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 632g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Released December 2009
  • Older Model is Sony A100
Sony TF1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-100mm (F3.6-4.7) lens
  • 152g - 102 x 62 x 23mm
  • Revealed June 2013
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Sony A550 vs Sony TF1 Overview

The following is a detailed review of the Sony A550 vs Sony TF1, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the other is a Waterproof and both are created by Sony. The sensor resolution of the A550 (14MP) and the TF1 (16MP) is very well matched but the A550 (APS-C) and TF1 (1/2.3") use different sensor sizes.

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The A550 was launched 4 years prior to the TF1 which is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony TF1 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the A550 grades against the TF1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Sony TF1

 A550 TF1 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution922k460kSharper display (+462k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony TF1 over the Sony A550

 TF1 A550 
RevealedJune 2013December 2009Newer by 43 months
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Sony A550 and Sony TF1

 A550 TF1 
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Sony A550 vs Sony TF1 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to travel with your camera regularly, you'll need to consider its weight and size. The Sony A550 has got physical dimensions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") along with a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs) while the Sony TF1 has specifications of 102mm x 62mm x 23mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 0.9") having a weight of 152 grams (0.34 lbs).

Compare the Sony A550 vs Sony TF1 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 dependant on the lens you are working with at that moment. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the A550 compared to the TF1.

Sony A550 vs Sony TF1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the A550 and TF1 is 63 and 94 respectively.

Sony A550 vs Sony TF1 top view buttons comparison

Sony A550 vs Sony TF1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be hard to picture the difference between sensor dimensions merely by checking specs. The pic underneath may provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the A550 and TF1.

As you can plainly see, both cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The A550 due to its larger sensor is going to make shooting bokeh easier and the Sony TF1 will give extra detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos far more aggressively. The more aged A550 is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Sony A550 vs Sony TF1 sensor size comparison

Sony A550 vs Sony TF1 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A550 vs Sony TF1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A550 Portrait photography info
Sony TF1 Portrait photography info
72
you can focus manually
good resolution (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detection focusing
exports RAW files
35
MP count decent (16MP)
comes with face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Sony A550 Street photography factors
Sony TF1 Street photography factors
74
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
69
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with focus by touch
environment proof
lighter than others in class (152 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sony A550 Sports photography advice
Sony TF1 Sports photography advice
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
not so great battery power (480 per charge)
42
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment proof
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (240 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Sony A550 Travel photography factors
Sony TF1 Travel photography factors
52
good resolution (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse recording
not so great battery power (480 shots)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
69
lighter than others in class (152g)
environment proof
comes with focus by touch
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
terrible battery power (240 per charge)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.6)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony A550
Landscape photography with Sony TF1
66
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
not so great battery power (480 per charge)
missing Time Lapse recording
40
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
environment proof
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.6)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
manual mode not available
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
terrible battery power (240 shots)
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A550 Vlogging highlights
Sony TF1 Vlogging highlights
9
no video recording
33
pretty wide (25mm)
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection autofocus
lighter than others in class (152 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.6)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external mic support
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Sony A550 vs Sony TF1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A550 and Sony TF1
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A550Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TF1
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TF1
Type Entry-Level DSLR Waterproof
Released 2009-12-09 2013-06-21
Physical type Compact SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4592 x 3056 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 12800 3200
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-100mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.6-4.7
Macro focusing range - 1cm
Number of lenses 143 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 922 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology - TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 2 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 7.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 12.00 m 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, Advanced Flash
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1280x720
Video format - Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 632 grams (1.39 pounds) 152 grams (0.34 pounds)
Dimensions 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") 102 x 62 x 23mm (4.0" x 2.4" 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 images 240 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FM500H NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $749 $266