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Sony HX5 vs Sony W550

Portability
92
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
28
Overall
33

Sony HX5 vs Sony W550 Key Specs

Sony HX5
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.4" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 200g - 102 x 58 x 29mm
  • Launched June 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
  • Announced July 2011
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Sony HX5 vs Sony W550 Overview

Here, we are analyzing the Sony HX5 and Sony W550, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Ultracompact and both are sold by Sony. There exists a crucial gap among the resolutions of the HX5 (10MP) and W550 (14MP) and the HX5 (1/2.4") and W550 (1/2.3") provide different sensor measurements.

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The HX5 was introduced 13 months before the W550 making them a generation apart from one another. Both cameras feature different body design with the Sony HX5 being a Compact camera and the Sony W550 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before getting right into a in-depth comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the HX5 matches up against the W550 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony HX5 over the Sony W550

 HX5 W550 

Reasons to pick Sony W550 over the Sony HX5

 W550 HX5 
AnnouncedJuly 2011June 2010Fresher by 13 months

Common features in the Sony HX5 and Sony W550

 HX5 W550 
Focus manually Lack of manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display measurements
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Sony HX5 vs Sony W550 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry your camera often, you will need to factor its weight and proportions. The Sony HX5 has external dimensions of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 200 grams (0.44 lbs) and the Sony W550 has measurements of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") along with a weight of 110 grams (0.24 lbs).

See the Sony HX5 and Sony W550 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you choose at that time. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the HX5 against the W550.

Sony HX5 vs Sony W550 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the HX5 and W550 is 92 and 96 respectively.

Sony HX5 vs Sony W550 top view buttons comparison

Sony HX5 vs Sony W550 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be tough to picture the contrast in sensor sizing simply by researching specifications. The graphic below should provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the HX5 and W550.

Plainly, each of these cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The HX5 using its larger sensor is going to make achieving bokeh simpler and the Sony W550 will provide you with more detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The older HX5 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Sony HX5 vs Sony W550 sensor size comparison

Sony HX5 vs Sony W550 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony HX5 vs Sony W550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony HX5 Portrait photography details
Sony W550 Portrait photography details
19
lack of manual focus
no external flash support
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.4")
does not have RAW files
28
resolution is good (14MP)
manual focus not available
no manual control
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Sony HX5 Street photography factors
Sony W550 Street photography factors
55
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.4")
does not have RAW files
57
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sony HX5 Sports photography information
Sony W550 Sports photography information
26
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no shutter priority mode
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.4")
does not have phase detect auto focus
35
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14MP)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony HX5 Travel photography highlights
Sony W550 Travel photography highlights
60
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
great zoom (250mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
65
resolution is good (14MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (26mm)
no Timelapse function
does not feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony HX5
Landscape photography with Sony W550
37
decently wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.4")
does not have RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse mode
42
decently wide (26mm)
good sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14MP)
manual focus not available
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.7)
no manual control
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony HX5 Vlogging information
Sony W550 Vlogging information
31
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have external microphone port
29
decently wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.7)
does not feature selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no microphone port
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Sony HX5 vs Sony W550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony HX5 and Sony W550
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
Class Small Sensor Compact Ultracompact
Launched 2010-06-16 2011-07-24
Body design Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Bionz BIONZ
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.4" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.104 x 4.578mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 3456 x 2592 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 125 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) 26-104mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.5-5.5 f/2.7-5.7
Macro focus range 5cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech - Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 2 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 10.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.80 m 3.80 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Slow syncro Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
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 (60, 30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format AVCHD MPEG-4
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 200g (0.44 pounds) 110g (0.24 pounds)
Physical dimensions 102 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery model NP-BG1 NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, portrait1/portrait2) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Storage media Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo/ PRO HG-Duo, optional SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single -
Retail cost $275 $119