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Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 vs Sony Alpha DSLR-A550

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

SonyAlpha DSLR-A500SonyAlpha DSLR-A550
Overview
ReleasedSeptember 2009September 2009
Image and sensor
Camera typeDSLRDSLR
Sensor formatAPS-CAPS-C
Sensor typeExmor CMOSExmor CMOS
Sensor dimensions23.5 × 15.6 mm23.4 × 15.6 mm
Effective resolution12.3 MP14.2 MP
Largest image4272 × 28484592 × 3056
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range200–12800200–12800
Sensor detailApproximately 12.9 million total pixels; RGB primary-colour filter, charge protection coating and sensor-shift dust reductionApproximately 14.6 million total pixels; RGB primary-colour filter, charge protection coating and sensor-shift dust reduction
Image formatsJPEG, RAW and RAW+JPEG; Sony ARW 2.1JPEG, RAW and RAW+JPEG; Sony ARW 2.1
Image processorBIONZBIONZ
Lens and shooting
Lens mountSony A-mountSony A-mount
StabilisationSensor shiftSensor shift
Maximum continuous burst5 fps7 fps
Lens detailSony A-mount; operation confirmed with Minolta and Konica Minolta AF lensesSony A-mount; operation confirmed with Minolta and Konica Minolta AF lenses
AutofocusTTL phase detection with nine points; single, automatic and continuous AF, manual focus, predictive control and Eye-start AF. Face detection and Smile Shutter are available in Quick AF Live View.TTL phase detection with nine points; single, automatic and continuous AF, manual focus, predictive control and Eye-start AF. Face detection and Smile Shutter are available in Quick AF Live View.
ShutterElectronically controlled focal-plane shutter; 30 seconds to 1/4000 second plus Bulb; flash sync 1/160 secondElectronically controlled focal-plane shutter; 30 seconds to 1/4000 second plus Bulb; flash sync 1/160 second
Burst detailUp to 5 fps with optical viewfinder, or 4 fps in live view; approximately 12 Fine JPEG, six RAW or three RAW+JPEG frames, depending on conditions and media.Up to 5 fps with optical viewfinder, or 4 fps in live view. Speed-priority shooting reaches 7 fps with focus and exposure locked at the first frame. Normal continuous buffer: approximately 32 Fine JPEG, 14 RAW or seven RAW+JPEG frames, depending on conditions and media.
Stabilisation detailSteadyShot INSIDE sensor shift; Sony claims approximately 2.5–4 stops, depending on lens and conditions.SteadyShot INSIDE sensor shift; Sony claims approximately 2.5–4 stops, depending on lens and conditions.
FlashAutomatic pop-up flash; guide number 12 m at ISO 100; ADI and pre-flash TTL; proprietary Alpha flash shoeAutomatic pop-up flash; guide number 12 m at ISO 100; ADI and pre-flash TTL; proprietary Alpha flash shoe
Exposure controlsProgram, aperture priority, shutter priority, manual and scene modes; 40-segment honeycomb metering with optical finder, 1,200-zone metering in Quick AF Live View. Auto HDR combines two exposures for JPEG still subjects.Program, aperture priority, shutter priority, manual and scene modes; 40-segment honeycomb metering with optical finder, 1,200-zone metering in Quick AF Live View. Auto HDR combines two exposures for JPEG still subjects.
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderOpticalOptical
Screen size3″3″
Screen dots230,400921,600
TouchscreenNoNo
Tilting screenYesYes
Display detailClear Photo LCD Plus tilts 90° up and down. Quick AF Live View uses a dedicated sensor with 90% coverage; Manual Focus Check Live View uses the main sensor with 100% coverage and 7×/14× magnification.Xtra Fine LCD tilts 90° up and down. Quick AF Live View uses a dedicated sensor with 90% coverage; Manual Focus Check Live View uses the main sensor with 100% coverage and 7×/14× magnification.
Viewfinder detailPentamirror; approximately 95% coverage and 0.80× magnification with a 50 mm lens at infinity, −1 m⁻¹.Pentamirror; approximately 95% coverage and 0.80× magnification with a 50 mm lens at infinity, −1 m⁻¹.
Connections and design
Battery life (maker's claim)1000 photographs950 photographs
Body weight597 g599 g
Release detailSony Hong Kong specifies September 2009 availability for the single- and double-lens kits, following the August announcement. The maker source gives no first-sale day.Sony Hong Kong specifies September 2009 availability. Sony Japan revised its local sale date to 5 November 2009; that later regional release is not used as the first-sale date. No September sale day is given.
Recording mediaSD, SDHC, Memory Stick PRO Duo and PRO-HG Duo; card selection uses a manual switch.SD, SDHC, Memory Stick PRO Duo and PRO-HG Duo; card selection uses a manual switch.
PortsUSB 2.0 Hi-Speed, mini HDMI Type C, remote release terminal and Alpha accessory shoeUSB 2.0 Hi-Speed, mini HDMI Type C, remote release terminal and Alpha accessory shoe
Battery life detailNP-FM500H; approximately 1,000 shots using optical viewfinder or 520 in live view, under CIPA conditions.NP-FM500H; approximately 950 shots using optical viewfinder or 480 in live view, under CIPA conditions.
Charging–Supplied BC-VM10 battery charger; optional AC-VQ900AM adapter/charger or AC-PW10AM adapter
DimensionsApproximately 137 × 104 × 84 mm (width × height × depth), excluding projections.Approximately 137 × 104 × 84 mm (width × height × depth), excluding projections.
Weight detailApproximately 597 g body only, excluding battery, memory card and accessories.Approximately 599 g body only, excluding battery, memory card and accessories.
Colours–Black
Video
Video detailNo movie recording; HDMI supports still-image playback.No movie recording; HDMI supports still-image playback.

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