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Sony A550 vs Sony W320

Portability
63
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W320 front
Portability
97
Imaging
36
Features
21
Overall
30

Sony A550 vs Sony W320 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
  • Announced December 2009
  • Replaced the Sony A100
Sony W320
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 26-105mm (F2.7-5.7) lens
  • 117g - 93 x 52 x 17mm
  • Revealed January 2010
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Sony A550 vs Sony W320 Overview

Below is a complete analysis of the Sony A550 and Sony W320, former being a Entry-Level DSLR while the other is a Ultracompact and both are built by Sony. The resolution of the A550 (14MP) and the W320 (14MP) is very similar but the A550 (APS-C) and W320 (1/2.3") possess different sensor sizes.

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The A550 was released within a month of the W320 so they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony W320 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before diving in to a in-depth comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the A550 matches up against the W320 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Sony W320

 A550 W320 
Manual focus More precise focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution922k230kClearer display (+692k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W320 over the Sony A550

 W320 A550 

Common features in the Sony A550 and Sony W320

 A550 W320 
RevealedDecember 2009January 2010Similar age
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Sony A550 vs Sony W320 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to lug around your camera frequently, you'll have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Sony A550 has physical dimensions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs) while the Sony W320 has measurements of 93mm x 52mm x 17mm (3.7" x 2.0" x 0.7") having a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Check the Sony A550 and Sony W320 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising during that time. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the A550 compared to the W320.

Sony A550 vs Sony W320 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the A550 and W320 is 63 and 97 respectively.

Sony A550 vs Sony W320 top view buttons comparison

Sony A550 vs Sony W320 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be difficult to picture the contrast between sensor measurements only by reviewing technical specs. The graphic below will help offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the A550 and W320.

As you can tell, both of those cameras offer the same exact resolution but different sensor measurements. The A550 offers the larger sensor which should make obtaining bokeh less difficult.

Sony A550 vs Sony W320 sensor size comparison

Sony A550 vs Sony W320 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A550 vs Sony W320 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A550 Portrait photography highlights
Sony W320 Portrait photography highlights
72
has manual focus
megapixel count good (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
28
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Sony A550 as a Street photography camera
Sony W320 as a Street photography camera
74
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
48
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sony A550 Sports photography details
Sony W320 Sports photography details
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
not so great battery (480 shots)
26
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
low frames per second (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Sony A550 Travel photography factors
Sony W320 Travel photography factors
52
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse function
not so great battery (480 shots)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
66
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
built-in flash
really wide (26mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A550 Landscape photography info
Sony W320 Landscape photography info
66
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
not so great battery (480 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse function
33
really wide (26mm)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.7)
small screen (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not possible
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Sony A550 as a Vlogging camera
Sony W320 as a Vlogging camera
9
can't shoot video
26
really wide (26mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.7)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video res low (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have microphone port
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Sony A550 vs Sony W320 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A550 and Sony W320
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A550Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W320
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W320
Class Entry-Level DSLR Ultracompact
Announced 2009-12-09 2010-01-07
Body design Compact SLR Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip 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 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4592 x 3056 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 12800 3200
Lowest native ISO 200 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 26-105mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/2.7-5.7
Macro focusing distance - 4cm
Total lenses 143 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 922k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 1 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 7.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m 4.80 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Slow syncro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution None 640x480
Video data format - Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 632 gr (1.39 lbs) 117 gr (0.26 lbs)
Dimensions 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") 93 x 52 x 17mm (3.7" x 2.0" 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 shots -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID NP-FM500H NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 sec or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo SD/SDHC, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo / Pro HG-Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $749 $269