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Sony NEX-5R vs Sony W550

Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
76
Overall
64
Sony Alpha NEX-5R front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
28
Overall
33

Sony NEX-5R vs Sony W550 Key Specs

Sony NEX-5R
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 276g - 111 x 59 x 39mm
  • Revealed August 2012
  • Replaced the Sony NEX-5N
  • Newer Model is Sony NEX-5T
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
  • Announced July 2011
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Sony NEX-5R vs Sony W550 Overview

Following is a extended assessment of the Sony NEX-5R vs Sony W550, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Ultracompact and both are built by Sony. The image resolution of the NEX-5R (16MP) and the W550 (14MP) is pretty comparable but the NEX-5R (APS-C) and W550 (1/2.3") have totally different sensor sizing.

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The NEX-5R was introduced 14 months after the W550 which makes them a generation away from each other. Both the cameras have different body design with the Sony NEX-5R being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony W550 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before going straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick overview of how the NEX-5R scores versus the W550 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5R over the Sony W550

 NEX-5R W550 
AnnouncedAugust 2012July 2011More modern by 14 months
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution920k230kCrisper screen (+690k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony W550 over the Sony NEX-5R

 W550 NEX-5R 

Common features in the Sony NEX-5R and Sony W550

 NEX-5R W550 
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurement
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Sony NEX-5R vs Sony W550 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry around your camera, you should factor in its weight and size. The Sony NEX-5R enjoys outside dimensions of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") with a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs) whilst the Sony W550 has specifications of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 110 grams (0.24 lbs).

Check out the Sony NEX-5R vs Sony W550 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen during that time. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the NEX-5R compared to the W550.

Sony NEX-5R vs Sony W550 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the NEX-5R and W550 is 89 and 96 respectively.

Sony NEX-5R vs Sony W550 top view buttons comparison

Sony NEX-5R vs Sony W550 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is hard to envision the difference in sensor sizes just by checking out technical specs. The picture here will help provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the NEX-5R and W550.

As you have seen, both of the cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The NEX-5R using its bigger sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field less difficult and the Sony NEX-5R will provide more detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more recent NEX-5R will have an edge in sensor technology.

Sony NEX-5R vs Sony W550 sensor size comparison

Sony NEX-5R vs Sony W550 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony NEX-5R vs Sony W550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony NEX-5R Portrait photography details
Sony W550 Portrait photography details
74
you can focus manually
good resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
28
megapixel count decent (14MP)
no manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Sony NEX-5R Street photography highlights
Sony W550 Street photography highlights
80
tilting screen
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
has focus by touch
above average high ISO (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
57
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sony NEX-5R
Sports photography with Sony W550
68
good resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking focus
has phase detect autofocus
does not have image stabilization
35
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
slow fps (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sony NEX-5R Travel photography advice
Sony W550 Travel photography advice
73
has focus by touch
good resolution (16 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
65
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (26mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony NEX-5R Landscape photography information
Sony W550 Landscape photography information
75
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
good resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
above average high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
42
pretty wide (26mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
no manual control
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony NEX-5R as a Vlogging camera
Sony W550 as a Vlogging camera
31
touch screen
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
no mic socket
29
pretty wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic port
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Sony NEX-5R vs Sony W550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony NEX-5R and Sony W550
 Sony Alpha NEX-5RSony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha NEX-5R Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Ultracompact
Revealed 2012-08-29 2011-07-24
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Powered by Bionz BIONZ
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.4 x 15.6mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 365.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4912 x 3264 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 25600 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 99 9
Lens
Lens mount type Sony E fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 26-104mm (4.0x)
Max aperture - f/2.7-5.7
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Number of lenses 121 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 920 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology Tilt Up 180� Down 50� TFT LCD Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 2 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 10.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 3.80 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format AVCHD MPEG-4
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 276 gr (0.61 pounds) 110 gr (0.24 pounds)
Physical dimensions 111 x 59 x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 78 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.1 not tested
DXO Low light rating 910 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 pictures -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID NPFW50 NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting With downloadable app
Storage media 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
Storage slots 1 -
Launch pricing $750 $119