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Sony W730 vs Sony A55

Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
33
Overall
37
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W730 front
 
Sony SLT-A55 front
Portability
67
Imaging
56
Features
80
Overall
65

Sony W730 vs Sony A55 Key Specs

Sony W730
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-224mm (F3.3-6.3) lens
  • 122g - 93 x 52 x 22mm
  • Released January 2013
Sony A55
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 500g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
  • Released August 2010
  • Updated by Sony A57
Photography Glossary

Sony W730 vs Sony A55 Overview

On this page, we are matching up the Sony W730 versus Sony A55, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR and they are both produced by Sony. The image resolution of the W730 (16MP) and the A55 (16MP) is fairly comparable but the W730 (1/2.3") and A55 (APS-C) provide different sensor dimensions.

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The W730 was revealed 2 years after the A55 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Sony W730 being a Compact camera and the Sony A55 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving right into a thorough comparison, here is a simple summation of how the W730 scores versus the A55 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony W730 over the Sony A55

 W730 A55 
ReleasedJanuary 2013August 2010More modern by 29 months
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A55 over the Sony W730

 A55 W730 
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 W730 and Sony A55

 W730 A55 

Sony W730 vs Sony A55 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry around your camera frequently, you are going to need to consider its weight and proportions. The Sony W730 has physical measurements of 93mm x 52mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.0" x 0.9") and a weight of 122 grams (0.27 lbs) while 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).

Check out the Sony W730 versus Sony A55 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you choose at that moment. The following is a front view measurement comparison of the W730 and the A55.

Sony W730 vs Sony A55 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the W730 and A55 is 96 and 67 respectively.

Sony W730 vs Sony A55 top view buttons comparison

Sony W730 vs Sony A55 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is tough to imagine the contrast in sensor sizes only by seeing specifications. The picture underneath might offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the W730 and A55.

To sum up, both of the cameras have the same megapixels but different sensor sizes. The W730 has got the smaller sensor which is going to make achieving shallower DOF tougher. The fresher W730 should have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Sony W730 vs Sony A55 sensor size comparison

Sony W730 vs Sony A55 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony W730 vs Sony A55 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony W730 Portrait photography information
Sony A55 Portrait photography information
35
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
supports face detection focus
manual focus not available
no manual control
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
73
has manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features face detection focus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony W730 Street photography details
Sony A55 Street photography details
67
has image stabilization (Optical)
has touch to focus
lighter than others (122 grams)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
77
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sony W730 Sports photography factors
Sony A55 Sports photography factors
41
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
supports tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
terrible battery power (380 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Sony W730 Travel photography advice
Sony A55 Travel photography advice
71
lighter than others (122g)
has touch to focus
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
no Timelapse function
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
62
good MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
lack of Time Lapse mode
terrible battery power (380 shots)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony W730
Landscape photography with Sony A55
39
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no manual control
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
no Timelapse function
67
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
terrible battery power (380 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony W730 Vlogging factors
Sony A55 Vlogging factors
34
pretty wide (25mm)
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focus
lighter than others (122g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external microphone support
78
screen is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with external mic port
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Sony W730 vs Sony A55 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony W730 and Sony A55
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W730Sony SLT-A55
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W730 Sony SLT-A55
Class Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2013-01-08 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 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 3200 12800
Highest boosted ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 15
Cross focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 25-224mm (9.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.3-6.3 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Amount of lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT LCD display -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,150 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.73x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 2 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 2.80 m 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, Advanced Flash Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
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)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD 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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 122 gr (0.27 pounds) 500 gr (1.10 pounds)
Physical dimensions 93 x 52 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.0" x 0.9") 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 73
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.0
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.4
DXO Low light score not tested 816
Other
Battery life 240 photos 380 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-BN NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Pricing at launch $138 $800