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Sony A550 vs Sony ZV-1

Portability
63
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
 
Sony ZV-1 front
Portability
88
Imaging
55
Features
86
Overall
67

Sony A550 vs Sony ZV-1 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
  • Revealed December 2009
  • Superseded the Sony A100
Sony ZV-1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-70mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
  • 294g - 105 x 60 x 44mm
  • Launched May 2020
  • Successor is Sony ZV-1 II
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Sony A550 vs Sony ZV-1 Overview

Lets look a little more closely at the Sony A550 and Sony ZV-1, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Large Sensor Compact and both are created by Sony. There exists a crucial gap between the resolutions of the A550 (14MP) and ZV-1 (20MP) and the A550 (APS-C) and ZV-1 (1") come with different sensor dimensions.

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The A550 was released 11 years earlier than the ZV-1 which is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony ZV-1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before going in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the A550 matches up against the ZV-1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Sony ZV-1

 A550 ZV-1 

Reasons to pick Sony ZV-1 over the Sony A550

 ZV-1 A550 
LaunchedMay 2020December 2009Newer by 127 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Sony A550 and Sony ZV-1

 A550 ZV-1 
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Display resolution922k922kIdentical display resolution

Sony A550 vs Sony ZV-1 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to travel with your camera frequently, you're going to have to think about its weight and size. The Sony A550 offers outer 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) whilst the Sony ZV-1 has specifications of 105mm x 60mm x 44mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.7") having a weight of 294 grams (0.65 lbs).

Check out the Sony A550 and Sony ZV-1 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you choose during that time. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the A550 versus the ZV-1.

Sony A550 vs Sony ZV-1 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the A550 and ZV-1 is 63 and 88 respectively.

Sony A550 vs Sony ZV-1 top view buttons comparison

Sony A550 vs Sony ZV-1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's difficult to visualize the gap between sensor dimensions merely by checking specifications. The pic here will provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the A550 and ZV-1.

To sum up, both cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The A550 featuring a larger sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Sony ZV-1 will resolve extra detail as a result of its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop images a little more aggressively. The more aged A550 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Sony A550 vs Sony ZV-1 sensor size comparison

Sony A550 vs Sony ZV-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A550 vs Sony ZV-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A550 Portrait photography information
Sony ZV-1 Portrait photography information
72
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers face detection focus
saves RAW files
73
focusing manually
good resolution (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (1")
provides face detection focus
supports RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Sony A550
Street photography with Sony ZV-1
74
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
85
screen articulates
image stabilization (Optical)
nice sensor size (1")
supports RAW files
has focus by touch
lighter than average in class (294 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sony A550 as a Sports photography camera
Sony ZV-1 as a Sports photography camera
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
bad battery (480 shots)
71
quiet mode (1/32,000s)
high max fps (24.0 frames/s)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (1")
provides tracking autofocus
has phase detect auto focus
low battery pack (260 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Sony A550 Travel photography info
Sony ZV-1 Travel photography info
52
megapixel count decent (14MP)
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse function
bad battery (480 shots)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
81
lighter than average in class (294 grams)
has bluetooth
has focus by touch
good resolution (20MP)
selfie friendly display
relatively wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
low battery pack (260 per charge)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A550 Landscape photography details
Sony ZV-1 Landscape photography details
66
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
bad battery (480 shots)
lack of Time Lapse function
70
focusing manually
relatively wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (1")
supports RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
low battery pack (260 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A550 Vlogging information
Sony ZV-1 Vlogging information
9
can't shoot video
86
relatively wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
selfie friendly display
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
has external microphone support
lighter than average in class (294 grams)
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Sony A550 vs Sony ZV-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A550 and Sony ZV-1
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A550Sony ZV-1
General Information
Company Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 Sony ZV-1
Category Entry-Level DSLR Large Sensor Compact
Revealed 2009-12-09 2020-05-27
Physical type Compact SLR Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Bionz Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1"
Sensor measurements 23.4 x 15.6mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor area 365.0mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4592 x 3056 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 12800 12800
Highest enhanced ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 200 125
RAW pictures
Lowest enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 9 315
Lens
Lens mounting type Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-70mm (2.9x)
Highest aperture - f/1.8-2.8
Macro focus range - 5cm
Amount of lenses 143 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 2.7
Screen
Display type Tilting Fully Articulated
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 922k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Max quiet shutter speed - 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 7.0 frames/s 24.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Rear Sync, Flash Off
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 28 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 28 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital1920 x 1080 @ 60i / 24 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital1920 x 1080 @ 60i / 17 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 28 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080
Highest video resolution None 3840x2160
Video file format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
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 lbs) 294 grams (0.65 lbs)
Dimensions 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") 105 x 60 x 44mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.7")
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 photos 260 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-FM500H -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing $749 $750