Sony A580 vs Sony W550

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.

Photography Glossary

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.

Below is a preview of the gallery images for Sony Alpha DSLR-A580 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550. The whole galleries are viewable at Sony A580 Gallery and Sony W550 Gallery.

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.

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.

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

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.