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Sony W220 vs Sony A55

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W220 front
 
Sony SLT-A55 front
Portability
67
Imaging
56
Features
80
Overall
65

Sony W220 vs Sony A55 Key Specs

Sony W220
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 30-120mm (F2.8-7.1) lens
  • 147g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
  • Launched January 2009
Sony A55
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 500g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
  • Announced August 2010
  • Replacement is Sony A57
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Sony W220 vs Sony A55 Overview

The following is a extended assessment of the Sony W220 versus Sony A55, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR and they are both designed by Sony. There exists a sizable gap between the image resolutions of the W220 (12MP) and A55 (16MP) and the W220 (1/2.3") and A55 (APS-C) possess totally different sensor sizing.

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The W220 was revealed 19 months prior to the A55 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Sony W220 being a Compact camera and the Sony A55 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting straight into a thorough comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the W220 scores vs the A55 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Sony W220 over the Sony A55

 W220 A55 

Reasons to pick Sony A55 over the Sony W220

 A55 W220 
AnnouncedAugust 2010January 2009Newer by 19 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Sony W220 and Sony A55

 W220 A55 
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Sony W220 vs Sony A55 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to travel with your camera frequently, you will need to consider its weight and volume. The Sony W220 enjoys exterior dimensions of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 147 grams (0.32 lbs) and the Sony A55 has sizing of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 500 grams (1.10 lbs).

Take a look at the Sony W220 versus Sony A55 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have attached at that time. Underneath is the front view dimension comparison of the W220 vs the A55.

Sony W220 vs Sony A55 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the W220 and A55 is 95 and 67 respectively.

Sony W220 vs Sony A55 top view buttons comparison

Sony W220 vs Sony A55 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be hard to visualise the gap between sensor dimensions purely by reading technical specs. The pic here will give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the W220 and A55.

As you have seen, the two cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The W220 having a tinier sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field harder and the Sony A55 will offer extra detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop pictures much more aggressively. The more aged W220 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Sony W220 vs Sony A55 sensor size comparison

Sony W220 vs Sony A55 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony W220 vs Sony A55 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony W220 Portrait photography info
Sony A55 Portrait photography info
27
focusing manually
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
73
has manual focus
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sony W220 Street photography information
Sony A55 Street photography information
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
77
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Sony W220 Sports photography advice
Sony A55 Sports photography advice
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
not so great battery life (380 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony W220
Travel photography with Sony A55
51
built-in flash
missing Timelapse recording
MP count low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (30mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
62
decent MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
no Time Lapse function
not so great battery life (380 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony W220 Landscape photography features
Sony A55 Landscape photography features
32
focusing manually
has image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (30mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not possible
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
missing Timelapse recording
67
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
not so great battery life (380 CIPA)
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony W220 Vlogging information
Sony A55 Vlogging information
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (30mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
missing external microphone port
78
display is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with external mic port
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Sony W220 vs Sony A55 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony W220 and Sony A55
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W220Sony SLT-A55
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model type Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W220 Sony SLT-A55
Class Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2009-01-08 2010-08-24
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 3200 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 15
Cross type focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 30-120mm (4.0x) -
Highest aperture f/2.8-7.1 -
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Amount of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,150k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.73x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 1 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 7.10 m (Auto ISO) 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, Flash On, Slow Syncro, Red-eye, Flash Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (8 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 147 grams (0.32 lb) 500 grams (1.10 lb)
Dimensions 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 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 shots
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release $160 $800