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Sony HX20V vs Sony W550

Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
28
Overall
33

Sony HX20V vs Sony W550 Key Specs

Sony HX20V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Introduced July 2012
  • Replaced the Sony HX10V
  • New Model is Sony HX30V
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
  • Announced July 2011
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Sony HX20V vs Sony W550 Overview

Below is a thorough analysis of the Sony HX20V vs Sony W550, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Ultracompact and both of them are built by Sony. There exists a significant gap between the image resolutions of the HX20V (18MP) and W550 (14MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The HX20V was announced 13 months later than the W550 making the cameras a generation apart from one another. The two cameras offer different body type with the Sony HX20V being a Compact camera and the Sony W550 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before we go through a complete comparison, below is a brief overview of how the HX20V grades vs the W550 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sony HX20V over the Sony W550

 HX20V W550 
AnnouncedJuly 2012July 2011More recent by 13 months
Manually focus More exact focus
Display resolution922k230kSharper display (+692k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W550 over the Sony HX20V

 W550 HX20V 

Common features in the Sony HX20V and Sony W550

 HX20V W550 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Sony HX20V vs Sony W550 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you will have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Sony HX20V features physical measurements of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs) while 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).

Check the Sony HX20V vs Sony W550 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are employing during that time. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the HX20V versus the W550.

Sony HX20V vs Sony W550 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the HX20V and W550 is 90 and 96 respectively.

Sony HX20V vs Sony W550 top view buttons comparison

Sony HX20V vs Sony W550 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very difficult to envision the contrast between sensor measurements only by going over technical specs. The photograph here should give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the HX20V and W550.

As you have seen, both of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You should expect to see the Sony HX20V to deliver more detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The younger HX20V is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Sony HX20V vs Sony W550 sensor size comparison

Sony HX20V vs Sony W550 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony HX20V vs Sony W550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony HX20V as a Portrait photography camera
Sony W550 as a Portrait photography camera
45
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (18MP)
offers face detection focus
can't use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
28
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Sony HX20V as a Street photography camera
Sony W550 as a Street photography camera
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (254g)
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sony HX20V Sports photography info
Sony W550 Sports photography info
49
long zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18MP)
offers tracking autofocus
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
35
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Sony HX20V Travel photography information
Sony W550 Travel photography information
69
lighter than average in class (254g)
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
very long reach (500mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
65
megapixel count decent (14MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (26mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony HX20V
Landscape photography with Sony W550
50
focusing manually
rather wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
42
rather wide (26mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
manual mode not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony HX20V Vlogging highlights
Sony W550 Vlogging highlights
34
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average in class (254g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external mic support
29
rather wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic port
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Sony HX20V vs Sony W550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony HX20V and Sony W550
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20VSony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model type Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Introduced 2012-07-20 2011-07-24
Body design Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Chip BIONZ BIONZ
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4896 x 3672 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 12800 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-500mm (20.0x) 26-104mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.2-5.8 f/2.7-5.7
Macro focusing range 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 922 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 2 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 7.10 m 3.80 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 254g (0.56 lbs) 110g (0.24 lbs)
Dimensions 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 320 shots -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID NP-BG1 NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single -
Price at launch $397 $119