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Sony TX30 vs Sony A55

Portability
96
Imaging
42
Features
43
Overall
42
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX30 front
 
Sony SLT-A55 front
Portability
67
Imaging
56
Features
80
Overall
65

Sony TX30 vs Sony A55 Key Specs

Sony TX30
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 26-130mm (F3.5-4.8) lens
  • 141g - 96 x 59 x 15mm
  • Introduced July 2013
Sony A55
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 500g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
  • Launched August 2010
  • Renewed by Sony A57
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Sony TX30 vs Sony A55 Overview

Below is a in depth review of the Sony TX30 vs Sony A55, former being a Ultracompact while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR and both are created by Sony. The resolution of the TX30 (18MP) and the A55 (16MP) is very comparable but the TX30 (1/2.3") and A55 (APS-C) have totally different sensor sizing.

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The TX30 was brought out 2 years later than the A55 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Sony TX30 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A55 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving into a detailed comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the TX30 scores vs the A55 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sony TX30 over the Sony A55

 TX30 A55 
LaunchedJuly 2013August 2010More recent by 36 months
Display dimensions3.3"3"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1229k921kCrisper display (+308k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A55 over the Sony TX30

 A55 TX30 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Sony TX30 and Sony A55

 TX30 A55 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing

Sony TX30 vs Sony A55 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you should consider its weight and proportions. The Sony TX30 comes with physical measurements of 96mm x 59mm x 15mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.6") having a weight of 141 grams (0.31 lbs) and the Sony A55 has measurements of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") and a weight of 500 grams (1.10 lbs).

Take a look at the Sony TX30 vs Sony A55 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you choose during that time. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the TX30 compared to the A55.

Sony TX30 vs Sony A55 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the TX30 and A55 is 96 and 67 respectively.

Sony TX30 vs Sony A55 top view buttons comparison

Sony TX30 vs Sony A55 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's tough to visualise the difference in sensor measurements simply by checking out a spec sheet. The graphic below might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the TX30 and A55.

As you can see, both cameras have different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The TX30 featuring a smaller sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field more difficult and the Sony TX30 will provide more detail having its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop images a bit more aggressively. The younger TX30 will have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Sony TX30 vs Sony A55 sensor size comparison

Sony TX30 vs Sony A55 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony TX30 vs Sony A55 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony TX30
Portrait photography with Sony A55
38
has manual focus
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
73
manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sony TX30 Street photography highlights
Sony A55 Street photography highlights
64
image stabilization (Optical)
environment sealing
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
77
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sony TX30
Sports photography with Sony A55
46
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
environment sealing
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
low battery life (380 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Sony TX30 Travel photography highlights
Sony A55 Travel photography highlights
69
environment sealing
MP count decent (18MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (26mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
does not offer selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.5)
62
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
low battery life (380 per charge)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony TX30
Landscape photography with Sony A55
51
has manual focus
reasonably wide (26mm)
screen size is good (3.3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
environment sealing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not available
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
missing Time Lapse mode
67
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
low battery life (380 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony TX30
Vlogging with Sony A55
34
reasonably wide (26mm)
touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
missing mic support
78
screen is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have mic support
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Sony TX30 vs Sony A55 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony TX30 and Sony A55
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX30Sony SLT-A55
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model type Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX30 Sony SLT-A55
Category Ultracompact Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2013-07-26 2010-08-24
Physical type Ultracompact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.16 x 4.62mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.5mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4896 x 3672 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 12800 12800
Highest enhanced ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 15
Cross type focus points - 3
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 26-130mm (5.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.5-4.8 -
Total lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 3.3" 3"
Resolution of display 1,229 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology OLED monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,150 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.73x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 10.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 50 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 141 grams (0.31 pounds) 500 grams (1.10 pounds)
Physical dimensions 96 x 59 x 15mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.6") 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 73
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.0
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 816
Other
Battery life - 380 photos
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FW50
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage - SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Retail price $230 $800