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Sony A850 vs Sony W550

Portability
54
Imaging
68
Features
60
Overall
64
Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
28
Overall
33

Sony A850 vs Sony W550 Key Specs

Sony A850
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Push to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
  • Launched April 2010
Sony W550
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-104mm (F2.7-5.7) lens
  • 110g - 94 x 56 x 19mm
  • Released July 2011
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Sony A850 vs Sony W550 Overview

Below is a in depth comparison of the Sony A850 vs Sony W550, one being a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Ultracompact and both are built by Sony. There exists a sizeable gap between the image resolutions of the A850 (25MP) and W550 (14MP) and the A850 (Full frame) and W550 (1/2.3") possess totally different sensor measurements.

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The A850 was introduced 15 months prior to the W550 making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Sony A850 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony W550 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before diving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a short view of how the A850 matches up against the W550 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Sony W550

 A850 W550 
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Display resolution922k230kSharper display (+692k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W550 over the Sony A850

 W550 A850 
ReleasedJuly 2011April 2010More recent by 15 months

Common features in the Sony A850 and Sony W550

 A850 W550 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurements
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Sony A850 vs Sony W550 Physical Comparison

When you are going to lug around your camera often, you'll need to think about its weight and volume. The Sony A850 enjoys external dimensions of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs) while the Sony W550 has sizing of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") with a weight of 110 grams (0.24 lbs).

Analyze the Sony A850 vs Sony W550 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the A850 versus the W550.

Sony A850 vs Sony W550 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the A850 and W550 is 54 and 96 respectively.

Sony A850 vs Sony W550 top view buttons comparison

Sony A850 vs Sony W550 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor measurements merely by going over specifications. The visual below will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the A850 and W550.

Plainly, each of the cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The A850 using its larger sensor will make achieving shallower DOF less difficult and the Sony A850 will deliver extra detail using its extra 11MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The older A850 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Sony A850 vs Sony W550 sensor size comparison

Sony A850 vs Sony W550 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A850 vs Sony W550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A850 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony W550 as a Portrait photography camera
72
you can focus manually
megapixel count fantastic (25MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports RAW files
no liveview
28
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony A850 Street photography information
Sony W550 Street photography information
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
fixed screen
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sony A850
Sports photography with Sony W550
71
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count fantastic (25 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
weather sealing
sensor has phase detect AF
no liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
35
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14MP)
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony A850
Travel photography with Sony W550
55
weather sealing
megapixel count fantastic (25MP)
lack of Time Lapse mode
does not feature selfie friendly screen
65
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (26mm)
no Time Lapse mode
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A850 Landscape photography advice
Sony W550 Landscape photography advice
73
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count fantastic (25 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
has dual storage slots
no liveview
lack of Time Lapse mode
42
quite wide (26mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in 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
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A850 Vlogging advice
Sony W550 Vlogging advice
9
no video recording
29
quite wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external mic port
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Sony A850 vs Sony W550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A850 and Sony W550
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A850Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
Class Advanced DSLR Ultracompact
Launched 2010-04-15 2011-07-24
Body design Mid-size SLR Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Powered by Bionz BIONZ
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Full frame 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 24mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 861.6mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 25MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 6048 x 4032 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 200 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens focal range - 26-104mm (4.0x)
Max aperture - f/2.7-5.7
Macro focus distance - 5cm
Number of lenses 143 -
Focal length multiplier 1 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 922 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology TFT Xtra Fine color LCD Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 98% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 2 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 3.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 3.80 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1280x720
Video data format - MPEG-4
Mic 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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 895 grams (1.97 pounds) 110 grams (0.24 pounds)
Dimensions 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 79 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.2 not tested
DXO Low light score 1415 not tested
Other
Battery life 880 pictures -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery model NP-FM500H NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Two -
Pricing at launch $0 $119