Sony HX90V vs Sony A55: A Hands-On Showdown Between Compact Zoom and Entry DSLR

When it comes to choosing your next camera, the sheer diversity of options can be dazzling. Today, we’re pitting two very distinct Sony models head-to-head: the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90V, a 2015 compact superzoom marvel, and the Sony SLT-A55, an entry-level DSLR launched in 2010.

These two might seem like an apples-to-oranges comparison at first glance, given their different form factors, sensor sizes, and eras - yet they each embody specific approaches to photography that remain relevant today. So whether you’re after ultra-portability or optical versatility with some serious imaging grunt, this deep dive will illuminate which model suits your needs and shooting style better.

When Size and Portability Matter: The Physical and Design Battle

First impressions matter, and they begin with size, weight, and ergonomics. The HX90V is designed as a travel-friendly compact, boasting a petite footprint of 102x58x36 mm and a featherweight 245g. Meanwhile, the A55 echoes classic SLR bulk at 124x92x85 mm and 500g - over twice as hefty.

Having held both in my hands during prolonged outdoor shoots, the HX90V’s lightweight and pocketable design steals points in casual outings and urban exploration. You’re far less likely to feel fatigued or overwhelmed hauling it around, especially compared to the beefier A55. But the larger grip and more robust chassis of the A55 afford superior handling stability, especially with heavier lenses - a boon for controlled shooting in portraits and wildlife.

Top view design and control layout also reveal their distinct philosophies:

The HX90V’s streamlined controls cater to quick access zoom adjustments and essential exposure modes, while for manual shooters, the A55's dedicated dials and buttons provide granular control without menu diving. The A55 converts traditional DSLR ergonomics into a compact SLR form, perfect for those who prefer tactile feedback.

The Heart of the Matter: Sensor Technology and Image Quality

A camera’s sensor is its beating heart, dictating the potential for sharpness, color fidelity, dynamic range, and high ISO performance. Spoiler alert: the A55 triumphs here, boasting a sizeable APS-C CMOS sensor measuring 23.5x15.6mm, while the HX90V relies on a compact 1/2.3" BSI-CMOS sensor at 6.17x4.55mm.

Technical specs throw this into sharp relief. The A55’s sensor area clocks in at 366.6 mm², dwarfing the HX90V’s mere 28 mm². This sensor size difference translates to superior light-gathering ability and less noise at higher ISO.

In practice, this means the A55 yields cleaner images in low light, captures richer color gradations, and holds onto highlight and shadow detail with far less clipping. When you push the ISO beyond 800 for dimly lit interiors or night shots, you’ll notice the HX90V’s noise creeping up far sooner.

On resolution, both cameras hover around 16-18 megapixels, but the A55’s larger photosites - not just sheer pixel count - make for higher-quality RAW files. (Note: the A55 supports shooting RAW, whereas the HX90V only produces JPEGs.)

While the HX90V squeezes impressive performance from its tiny sensor with clever noise reduction, post-processing latitude simply can't compete with the A55’s larger format.

Framing Your Vision: LCD and Viewfinder Experience

Accurate composition and focus confirmation hinge on your viewfinder and LCD screen quality. Both cameras offer a 3" screen at 921k dots, but their articulations and viewfinder tech vary.

The HX90V has a tilting LCD, ideal for selfies and low-angle shooting. However, it lacks touchscreen capabilities, meaning you’ll rely on physical buttons for navigation - a tad old-school but still functional. The electronic viewfinder (EVF) delivers 638k dots at 100% coverage but with a modest magnification of 0.5x, adequate but not immersive.

Conversely, the A55 sports a fully articulated LCD, flexible for diverse angles including overhead or waist-level compositions - a welcome feature for macro or street photography. Its EVF ups the ante with 1150k dots, better magnification at 0.73x, and 100% coverage, providing a more precise framing experience. The traditional DSLR enthusiasts will particularly appreciate the higher-resolution EVF and more extensive customization of displayed information.

Autofocus and Burst Speed: Tracking Action and Nailing Focus

Focusing performance can make or break many genres, particularly action, wildlife, and sports photography.

The HX90V utilizes a contrast-detection autofocus system, with face detection and tracking capabilities. It offers continuous AF and can shoot bursts at 10 frames per second (fps). It’s quick for a compact, but contrast detection inherently struggles with moving subjects, especially in low contrast or low light.

The A55 employs a hybrid AF with phase-detection via Sony’s Translucent Mirror Technology, featuring 15 focus points with 3 cross-type sensors. This system offers faster and more precise autofocus, especially for tracking moving subjects. Despite its older generation status, the A55 can also shoot at up to 10 fps, and in my own tests, I found it better at maintaining lock on fast-moving wildlife or sport athletes compared to the HX90V.

For street photographers or casual users, the HX90V’s AF system is sufficient. But if your focus needs are more demanding - wildlife, sports, or children on the move - the A55’s phase-detection AF offers a clear edge.

Lens Ecosystem: Flexibility vs. Convenience

One of the greatest strengths of the A55 is its compatibility with Sony’s extensive Minolta Alpha lens range (over 140 lenses), encompassing everything from super-sharp primes, professional zooms, to exotic fish-eyes. This flexibility lets photographers tailor their gear precisely to their style and subject - critical for professional workflows or serious enthusiasts.

The HX90V, being a fixed-lens compact, offers a 30x zoom from 24-720mm equivalent focal length, which is truly incredible given its size. This versatility covers wide landscapes to extreme telephoto shots, a jack-of-all-trades approach but with compromises in optical quality and max aperture (f/3.5-6.4). It cannot be swapped out or upgraded, limiting creative control but maximizing travel convenience.

If you want a single, lightweight all-in-one solution, the HX90V’s lens is a marvel of engineering. But if you crave specialization and shallower depth of field for portraits or macro with a fast prime, the A55’s interchangeable lens mount is indispensable.

Handling and Battery Life: Real-World Usability Considerations

Both cameras use proprietary battery packs; the HX90V runs on a NP-BX1 rated for about 360 shots per charge, while the A55 uses the larger NP-FW50 offering roughly 380 shots. These numbers are close enough that in real-world use, expect similar endurance with moderate shooting. However, the HX90V’s compact design means the battery itself is quite small, and heavy video or zoom usage can drain it faster.

On memory, both cameras support SD cards, with the A55 also compatible with Sony’s proprietary Memory Stick formats - great if you already own Sony flash media.

The A55’s larger body provides more physical space for cooling and battery capacity, which can affect shooting durations during intensive sessions.

Build Quality and Weather Handling: Can They Take the Rough Stuff?

Neither camera offers professional-grade environmental sealing. The HX90V is a compact without weatherproofing, while the A55’s DSLR-style body also lacks dust or moisture resistance. If you’re a serious landscape or adventure shooter working in rain, snow, or dust, these models need protective housing or caution.

The A55 feels more robust, with a more substantial body that better withstands knocks. The HX90V is delicate by comparison, and while convenient for travel, it warrants gentle treatment.

Shooting Genres: Which Camera Shines for Your Favorite Photography?

Let’s put these cameras under the lens of specific photography styles:

Portrait Photography

Portraits benefit from large sensors for shallow depth of field and creamy bokeh. The A55, with its APS-C sensor and lens flexibility, can produce dreamy background blur and solid control over skin tones and dynamic range.

The HX90V’s small sensor limits bokeh capability, and its variable aperture translates to less control over depth of field. For casual portraits on the go, it suffices - but don’t expect professional-level subject separation or skin tone nuance.

Landscape Photography

Landscape shooters value resolution, dynamic range, and wide-angle control. Both have 16-18MP sensors, but the A55's sensor size and raw file support provide significantly more latitude for editing shadows and highlights. The HX90V's 24mm equivalent wide angle is acceptable but not ultra-wide.

The A55’s lens flexibility lets you pick ultra-wide primes or high-quality zooms for landscapes, while the fixed lens HX90V covers 24mm but lacks aperture options. Weather sealing isn’t available on either, so be cautious outdoors.

Wildlife Photography

Telephoto reach and autofocus speed are critical. The HX90V’s built-in 720mm equivalent zoom is excellent for distant subjects - perfect for wildlife from a distance without carrying extra lenses.

However, the A55's phase-detection AF and interchangeable lens mount let you pair professional telephoto lenses with superior sharpness and tracking ability. I found the A55 to be more reliable in locking onto moving animals.

Sports Photography

Rapid burst speed and AF tracking define success here. Both offer 10fps shooting, but the A55’s hybrid AF system is faster and more accurate at continuous tracking, important in fast-paced action scenes.

If you shoot competitively or professionally, the A55 edges ahead. The HX90V is better suited for casual sports or family snaps.

Street Photography

For unobtrusive, quick shooting, size and noise matter. The HX90V’s small size and decent max ISO performance make it an ideal street camera - easy to carry discreetly, quick to roam.

The A55’s weight and bulk could intimidate subjects or limit spontaneity but offers more manual control and high-quality images.

Macro Photography

Close-up work relies on focusing precision and magnification. The HX90V has a minimum focusing distance of 5cm, suitable for basic macro snaps.

The A55 depends on lens choice here; dedicated macro lenses outperform compact zoom capabilities by a wide margin. Its superior autofocus precision also benefits macro critical focus.

Night & Astro Photography

High ISO noise performance and long exposure support are vital. The A55’s APS-C sensor and raw shooting elevate it for night landscapes and astro shots.

The HX90V can shoot down to 30 seconds exposure but suffers from noise earlier due to the small sensor.

Video Capabilities

Both record Full HD 1080p video, but codec support differs:

• HX90V shoots AVCHD and XAVC S, up to 60fps at 1080p, with optical image stabilization.
• A55 records MPEG-4, AVCHD, and H.264, also at 1080p/60fps.

The A55 has a microphone port for improved sound recording; the HX90V does not. Neither has 4K video or headphone jacks, limiting advanced audiovisual features.

Travel Photography

Compactness, battery life, and zoom range reign here. HX90V’s 30x zoom, GPS tagging, and lightweight body are fantastic for travel, letting you pack light but shoot landscapes, wildlife, and street scenes without swapping lenses.

While the A55 offers superior image quality, its size and weight make it less practical as a carry-everywhere travel camera.

Professional Workflows

The A55 supports raw files and multiple exposure modes with granular control - essential for professional editing pipelines. Its lens ecosystem and external flash compatibility make it far more versatile for studio and event work.

HX90V’s JPEG-only output and fixed lens limit professional application but make it simpler for users who prefer point-and-shoot convenience.

The Final Scorecard: Objective Ratings and Value Assessment

Let’s sum up relative strengths with the help of overall performance and genre-specific scores:

The A55 takes the lead in image quality, autofocus nuance, and professional features. The HX90V scores for portability, zoom versatility, and casual usability.

Price is a big factor: the HX90V averages around $440 - more accessible for hobbyists or travelers - while the A55, at $800, demands more initial investment but offers greater long-term flexibility.

Wrapping Up: Which Camera Fits Your Style?

If you crave pocket-sized versatility to capture everything from sweeping vistas to close-ups on a casual day out, the Sony HX90V remains a compelling, budget-friendly companion. Its lightweight build and impressive zoom stretch creative boundaries without the fuss of lens changes. Just temper expectations on low light and image detail if you’re picky.

For photographers serious about image quality, control, and growable systems, the Sony A55 delivers in spades. Its larger sensor, interchangeable lens mount, and robust autofocus shine especially in portrait, wildlife, and sports domains. Yes, it’s larger and costlier, but hands-on use rewards with richer, truer photos and professional-grade options.

In my experience spanning thousands of cameras, the choice boils down to your priorities: convenience and reach in a modest package, or versatility and quality with a classic DSLR feel. Both have stood the test of time in their niches - choose your weapon accordingly.

Sony HX90V front Sony HX90V screen back Sony A55 front Sony A55 screen back

Happy shooting, and remember - no gear substitutes for a curious eye and persistent effort!