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Sony A580 vs Sony W550

Portability
64
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66
Sony Alpha DSLR-A580 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
28
Overall
33

Sony A580 vs Sony W550 Key Specs

Sony A580
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 599g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Launched May 2011
  • Replaced the Sony A100
Sony W550
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-104mm (F2.7-5.7) lens
  • 110g - 94 x 56 x 19mm
  • Launched July 2011
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Sony A580 vs Sony W550 Overview

Here, we will be looking at the Sony A580 and Sony W550, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the latter is a Ultracompact and both of them are designed by Sony. The resolution of the A580 (16MP) and the W550 (14MP) is pretty well matched but the A580 (APS-C) and W550 (1/2.3") posses totally different sensor sizes.

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The A580 was announced very close to the W550 so they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Sony A580 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony W550 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before we go into a thorough comparison, here is a brief summation of how the A580 grades against the W550 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony A580 over the Sony W550

 A580 W550 
Manual focus More exact focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution922k230kClearer screen (+692k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W550 over the Sony A580

 W550 A580 

Common features in the Sony A580 and Sony W550

 A580 W550 
LaunchedMay 2011July 2011Similar generation
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Sony A580 vs Sony W550 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to travel with your camera often, you will need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Sony A580 features exterior measurements of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") with a weight of 599 grams (1.32 lbs) whilst the Sony W550 has dimensions of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 110 grams (0.24 lbs).

Compare the Sony A580 and Sony W550 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are working with at that moment. Following is a front view measurements comparison of the A580 and the W550.

Sony A580 vs Sony W550 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A580 and W550 is 64 and 96 respectively.

Sony A580 vs Sony W550 top view buttons comparison

Sony A580 vs Sony W550 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's tough to see the gap between sensor dimensions just by reading through specifications. The picture underneath may give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the A580 and W550.

To sum up, the 2 cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The A580 using its bigger sensor will make getting bokeh easier and the Sony A580 will resolve extra detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures way more aggressively.

Sony A580 vs Sony W550 sensor size comparison

Sony A580 vs Sony W550 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A580 vs Sony W550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A580 Portrait photography features
Sony W550 Portrait photography features
73
focusing manually
decent MP (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection focus
saves RAW formats
28
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Sony A580 Street photography info
Sony W550 Street photography info
75
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sony A580 Sports photography highlights
Sony W550 Sports photography highlights
78
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
great battery (1,050 per charge)
comes with phase detect auto focus
35
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14MP)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony A580 Travel photography factors
Sony W550 Travel photography factors
60
great battery (1,050 shots)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
65
good megapixels (14MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (26mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
does not have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A580 Landscape photography details
Sony W550 Landscape photography details
73
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
great battery (1,050 per charge)
has dual storage slots
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
42
decently wide (26mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
lack of manual exposure
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
lack of Timelapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony A580
Vlogging with Sony W550
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have external mic jack
screen is not selfie friendly
29
decently wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
does not have a selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone socket
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Sony A580 vs Sony W550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A580 and Sony W550
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A580Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
General Information
Make Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha DSLR-A580 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
Class Entry-Level DSLR Ultracompact
Launched 2011-05-26 2011-07-24
Physical type Compact SLR Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Chip Bionz BIONZ
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4912 x 3264 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 12800 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO 25600 -
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 15 9
Cross type focus points 3 -
Lens
Lens support Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 26-104mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/2.7-5.7
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Amount of lenses 143 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 922 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech - Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 2 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 7.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 12.00 m 3.80 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 599g (1.32 pounds) 110g (0.24 pounds)
Physical dimensions 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 80 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1121 not tested
Other
Battery life 1050 pictures -
Battery type 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 recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 2 -
Cost at release $848 $119