Sony A550 vs Sony A57
63 Imaging
54 Features
65 Overall
58
64 Imaging
57 Features
85 Overall
68
Sony A550 vs Sony A57 Key Specs
(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
- Revealed December 2009
- Old Model is Sony A100
(Full Review)
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Its time to look closer at the Sony A550 vs Sony A57, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras and both are produced by Sony. The sensor resolution of the A550 (14MP) and the A57 (16MP) is pretty comparable and they come with the exact same sensor sizes (APS-C).
Photography GlossaryThe A550 was introduced 3 years before the A57 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact SLR).
Before we go through a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise summary of how the A550 grades versus the A57 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
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This is a preview of the gallery images for Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 and Sony SLT-A57. The whole galleries are provided at Sony A550 Gallery and Sony A57 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Sony A57
| A550 | A57 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen resolution | 922k |  | 921k | Crisper screen (+1k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony A57 over the Sony A550
| A57 | A550 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | September 2012 |  | December 2009 | More recent by 33 months |
| Screen type | Fully Articulated |  | Tilting | Fully Articulating screen |
| Selfie screen |  | Easy selfies |
Common features in the Sony A550 and Sony A57
| A550 | A57 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual focus |  | Dial exact focus | ||
| Screen dimension | 3" |  | 3" | Identical screen dimensions |
| Touch screen |  | Neither comes with Touch screen |
Sony A550 vs Sony A57 Physical Comparison
For those who are planning to lug around your camera often, you will want to consider its weight and measurements. The Sony A550 comes with physical dimensions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") and a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs) while the Sony A57 has proportions of 132mm x 98mm x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2") along with a weight of 618 grams (1.36 lbs).
Check the Sony A550 vs Sony A57 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have at that time. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the A550 vs the A57.
Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the A550 and A57 is 63 and 64 respectively.
Sony A550 vs Sony A57 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it is very difficult to visualise the difference in sensor measurements merely by checking out technical specs. The graphic here should give you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the A550 and A57.
As you have seen, each of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Sony A57 to provide more detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots much more aggressively. The older A550 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.
Sony A550 vs Sony A57 Screen and ViewFinder
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Sony A550 vs Sony A57 Specifications
| Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 | Sony SLT-A57 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Make | Sony | Sony |
| Model | Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 | Sony SLT-A57 |
| Type | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
| Revealed | 2009-12-09 | 2012-09-13 |
| Body design | Compact SLR | Compact SLR |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor Chip | Bionz | - |
| Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
| Sensor dimensions | 23.4 x 15.6mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
| Sensor area | 365.0mm² | 366.6mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 14MP | 16MP |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Highest Possible resolution | 4592 x 3056 | 4912 x 3264 |
| Maximum native ISO | 12800 | 16000 |
| Maximum enhanced ISO | - | 25600 |
| Minimum native ISO | 200 | 100 |
| RAW photos | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focus | ||
| AF touch | ||
| Continuous AF | ||
| Single AF | ||
| AF tracking | ||
| Selective AF | ||
| Center weighted AF | ||
| AF multi area | ||
| AF live view | ||
| Face detect focusing | ||
| Contract detect focusing | ||
| Phase detect focusing | ||
| Number of focus points | 9 | 15 |
| Cross focus points | - | 3 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mounting type | Sony/Minolta Alpha | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
| Total lenses | 143 | 143 |
| Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Display type | Tilting | Fully Articulated |
| Display size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
| Display resolution | 922 thousand dot | 921 thousand dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch function | ||
| Display technology | - | Xtra Fine TFT drive with TruBlack technology |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | Optical (pentamirror) | Electronic |
| Viewfinder resolution | - | 1,440 thousand dot |
| Viewfinder coverage | 95% | 100% |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.53x | 0.7x |
| Features | ||
| Minimum shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
| Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/4000s |
| Continuous shutter speed | 7.0fps | 12.0fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Change WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated flash | ||
| Flash range | 12.00 m | 10.00 m (@ ISO 100) |
| Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
| External flash | ||
| Auto exposure bracketing | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Fastest flash sync | 1/160s | 1/160s |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment exposure | ||
| Average exposure | ||
| Spot exposure | ||
| Partial exposure | ||
| AF area exposure | ||
| Center weighted exposure | ||
| Video features | ||
| Supported video resolutions | - | 1920 x 1080 (60p, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Maximum video resolution | None | 1920x1080 |
| Video file format | - | MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 |
| 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 | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environmental seal | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 632 grams (1.39 pounds) | 618 grams (1.36 pounds) |
| Dimensions | 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") | 132 x 98 x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall score | 66 | 75 |
| DXO Color Depth score | 21.9 | 23.4 |
| DXO Dynamic range score | 11.8 | 13.0 |
| DXO Low light score | 807 | 785 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 480 shots | 550 shots |
| Battery form | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | NP-FM500H | NP-FM500H |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse recording | ||
| Storage media | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
| Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
| Retail cost | $749 | $1,000 |