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Sony A550 vs Sony TX100V

Portability
63
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX100V front
Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
40
Overall
39

Sony A550 vs Sony TX100V 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
  • Launched December 2009
  • Replaced the Sony A100
Sony TX100V
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F3.5-4.6) lens
  • 147g - 97 x 59 x 18mm
  • Launched January 2011
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Sony A550 vs Sony TX100V Overview

Here is a in-depth assessment of the Sony A550 versus Sony TX100V, former being a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Ultracompact and they are both sold by Sony. The resolution of the A550 (14MP) and the TX100V (16MP) is relatively similar but the A550 (APS-C) and TX100V (1/2.3") posses totally different sensor sizes.

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The A550 was released 13 months before the TX100V which makes them a generation apart from each other. The two cameras feature different body design with the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony TX100V being a Ultracompact camera.

Before delving right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a short view of how the A550 scores against the TX100V with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Sony TX100V

 A550 TX100V 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Reasons to pick Sony TX100V over the Sony A550

 TX100V A550 
LaunchedJanuary 2011December 2009Fresher by 13 months
Screen size3.5"3"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution1229k922kClearer screen (+307k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Sony A550 and Sony TX100V

 A550 TX100V 
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Sony A550 vs Sony TX100V Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry your camera frequently, you will need to consider its weight and volume. The Sony A550 features physical measurements of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") along with a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs) and the Sony TX100V has sizing of 97mm x 59mm x 18mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.7") having a weight of 147 grams (0.32 lbs).

See the Sony A550 versus Sony TX100V in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are employing during that time. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the A550 and the TX100V.

Sony A550 vs Sony TX100V size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the A550 and TX100V is 63 and 95 respectively.

Sony A550 vs Sony TX100V top view buttons comparison

Sony A550 vs Sony TX100V Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its difficult to see the contrast between sensor sizing simply by going over technical specs. The visual here will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the A550 and TX100V.

As you have seen, the two cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The A550 because of its bigger sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field easier and the Sony TX100V will offer you greater detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop pictures way more aggressively. The older A550 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Sony A550 vs Sony TX100V sensor size comparison

Sony A550 vs Sony TX100V Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A550 vs Sony TX100V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A550 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony TX100V as a Portrait photography camera
72
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect focus
saves RAW formats
30
MP count good (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Sony A550 Street photography info
Sony TX100V Street photography info
74
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides focus via touch
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
heavier than average in class (147 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sony A550 Sports photography features
Sony TX100V Sports photography features
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
not so great battery (480 per charge)
39
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony A550 Travel photography features
Sony TX100V Travel photography features
52
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
not so great battery (480 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
65
provides focus via touch
MP count good (16MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
heavier than average in class (147g)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A550 Landscape photography information
Sony TX100V Landscape photography information
66
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
not so great battery (480 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
43
relatively wide (25mm)
lovely big screen (3.5 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony A550
Vlogging with Sony TX100V
9
can't shoot video
32
relatively wide (25mm)
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Optical)
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external mic port
heavier than average in class (147 grams)
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Sony A550 vs Sony TX100V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A550 and Sony TX100V
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A550Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX100V
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX100V
Category Entry-Level DSLR Ultracompact
Launched 2009-12-09 2011-01-06
Body design Compact SLR Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Powered by Bionz BIONZ
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
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 14MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4592 x 3056 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 12800 3200
Minimum native ISO 200 125
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-100mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.5-4.6
Number of lenses 143 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3.5 inch
Resolution of display 922k dot 1,229k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - XtraFine OLED display with TruBlack technology
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 2 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 7.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m 4.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 632g (1.39 lbs) 147g (0.32 lbs)
Physical dimensions 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") 97 x 59 x 18mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 photographs -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID NP-FM500H NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
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
Storage slots Single Single
Retail cost $749 $380