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Sony W380 vs Sony A55

Portability
96
Imaging
36
Features
25
Overall
31
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W380 front
 
Sony SLT-A55 front
Portability
67
Imaging
56
Features
80
Overall
65

Sony W380 vs Sony A55 Key Specs

Sony W380
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.4-5.9) lens
  • 117g - 91 x 52 x 20mm
  • Revealed January 2010
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
  • Updated by Sony A57
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Sony W380 vs Sony A55 Overview

Below is a extended overview of the Sony W380 vs Sony A55, one being a Ultracompact and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR and they are both sold by Sony. The image resolution of the W380 (14MP) and the A55 (16MP) is very similar but the W380 (1/2.3") and A55 (APS-C) have totally different sensor measurements.

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The W380 was introduced 7 months prior to the A55 and they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras have different body design with the Sony W380 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A55 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise view of how the W380 matches up against the A55 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sony W380 over the Sony A55

 W380 A55 

Reasons to pick Sony A55 over the Sony W380

 A55 W380 
LaunchedAugust 2010January 2010More recent by 7 months
Manual focus More precise focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kCrisper display (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Sony W380 and Sony A55

 W380 A55 
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Sony W380 vs Sony A55 Physical Comparison

If you're going to lug around your camera, you're going to have to factor its weight and size. The Sony W380 has got external measurements of 91mm x 52mm x 20mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.8") and a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs) and the Sony A55 has specifications of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") and a weight of 500 grams (1.10 lbs).

See the Sony W380 vs Sony A55 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you use at that moment. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the W380 compared to the A55.

Sony W380 vs Sony A55 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the W380 and A55 is 96 and 67 respectively.

Sony W380 vs Sony A55 top view buttons comparison

Sony W380 vs Sony A55 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its hard to envision the difference between sensor measurements just by reading technical specs. The graphic underneath might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the W380 and A55.

As you can tell, each of these cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The W380 with its tinier sensor will make getting shallower depth of field more challenging and the Sony A55 will deliver extra detail using its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop images more aggressively. The older W380 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Sony W380 vs Sony A55 sensor size comparison

Sony W380 vs Sony A55 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony W380 vs Sony A55 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony W380 Portrait photography details
Sony A55 Portrait photography details
28
resolution is good (14MP)
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
73
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sony W380 Street photography info
Sony A55 Street photography info
57
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
77
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Sony W380 Sports photography factors
Sony A55 Sports photography factors
34
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14MP)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
low battery pack (380 CIPA)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Sony W380 Travel photography details
Sony A55 Travel photography details
65
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (24mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.4)
62
megapixel count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
lack of Timelapse mode
low battery pack (380 shots)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony W380 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A55 as a Landscape photography camera
37
decently wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.4)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse function
67
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
low battery pack (380 per charge)
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony W380 Vlogging factors
Sony A55 Vlogging factors
29
decently wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.4)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone port
78
display is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes microphone jack
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Sony W380 vs Sony A55 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony W380 and Sony A55
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W380Sony SLT-A55
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model type Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W380 Sony SLT-A55
Type Ultracompact Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2010-01-07 2010-08-24
Body design Ultracompact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Bionz Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4320 x 3240 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 3200 12800
Max enhanced ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 15
Cross type focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) -
Max aperture f/2.4-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Available lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,150k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.73x
Features
Min shutter speed 2s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/1600s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 2.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.80 m 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Slow syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 117 gr (0.26 lb) 500 gr (1.10 lb)
Physical dimensions 91 x 52 x 20mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.8") 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
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-BN1 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 sec or 10 sec, portrait1/portrait2) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo / Pro HG-Duo, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Price at release $44 $800