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Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 vs Sony Alpha DSLR-A560

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

SonyAlpha DSLR-A550SonyAlpha DSLR-A560
Overview
ReleasedSeptember 2009January 2011
Image and sensor
Camera typeDSLRDSLR
Sensor formatAPS-CAPS-C
Sensor typeExmor CMOSExmor APS HD CMOS
Sensor dimensions23.4 × 15.6 mm23.4 × 15.6 mm
Effective resolution14.2 MP14.2 MP
Largest image4592 × 30564592 × 3056
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range200–12800100–12800
Sensor detailApproximately 14.6 million total pixels; RGB primary-colour filter, charge protection coating and sensor-shift dust reductionApproximately 14.6 million total pixels; current Sony UK and original Hong Kong table specify 23.4 × 15.6 mm for A560; the shared Sony Asia sheet prints 23.5 × 15.6 mm without distinguishing the two bodies
Image formatsJPEG, RAW and RAW+JPEG; Sony ARW 2.1JPEG, RAW and RAW+JPEG; Sony ARW 2.2; sRGB and Adobe RGB
ISO detail–Standard single-frame ISO 100–12800; six-frame Multi Frame NR reaches ISO 25600 and requires a sufficiently static scene; Auto ISO 200–1600
Image processorBIONZBIONZ
Lens and shooting
Lens mountSony A-mountSony A-mount
StabilisationSensor shiftSensor shift
Maximum continuous burst7 fps7 fps
Lens detailSony 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, 15 points including three cross-type points in live view, 11 in optical-viewfinder mode; current Sony UK states EV −1 to 18 at ISO 100; contrast AF selectable in Focus Check 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 and Bulb; flash sync 1/160 second; two-second self-timer mirror-up function
Burst detailUp 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.Maximum approximately 7 fps in Speed Priority with focus and exposure locked at the first frame; normal continuous approximately 5 fps with optical viewfinder or 3 fps in live view. Maker buffer approximately 27 Fine JPEG, seven RAW or seven RAW+JPEG images, depending on card and conditions
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 shutter-speed steps 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 accessory shoe and compatible wireless flash control
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.P/A/S/M and scene modes; 40-segment optical metering and 1,200-zone live-view metering; ±2 EV in 1/3 EV steps; three-exposure Auto HDR, 2D/3D Sweep Panorama and Hand-held Twilight
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderOpticalOptical
Screen size3″3″
Screen dots921,600921,600
TouchscreenNo–
Tilting screenYesYes
Display detailXtra 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.Xtra Fine LCD tilts approximately 90° up and down; dots count colour subpixels. Dedicated-sensor Quick AF Live View covers approximately 90%; main-sensor Focus Check Live View covers 100% with 7×/14× magnification
Viewfinder detailPentamirror; approximately 95% coverage and 0.80× magnification with a 50 mm lens at infinity, −1 m⁻¹.Pentamirror optical viewfinder; approximately 95% coverage and 0.80× magnification with a 50 mm lens at infinity
Connections and design
Battery life (maker's claim)950 photographs1050 photographs
Body weight599 g599 g
Release detailSony 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.Sony Hong Kong specified early 2011 and European launch coverage first quarter 2011; PConline's 26 January 2011 Guangzhou retail report confirms the camera already on sale, giving the January month used here. Sony UK's original newsroom page promised October 2010 for both models; Imaging Resource reports the delayed US launch and March availability, so that original promise is not treated as actual first sale
Recording mediaSD, SDHC, Memory Stick PRO Duo and PRO-HG Duo; card selection uses a manual switch.Separate Memory Stick PRO Duo/PRO-HG Duo and SD/SDHC/SDXC slots, with a manual card selector
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 stereo microphone input
Battery life detailNP-FM500H; approximately 950 shots using optical viewfinder or 480 in live view, under CIPA conditions.NP-FM500H; maker CIPA claim approximately 1,050 shots with optical viewfinder or 560 in live view; BC-VM10 charger supplied
ChargingSupplied 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 protrusions)
Weight detailApproximately 599 g body only, excluding battery, memory card and accessories.Approximately 599 g body only; 679 g with battery and Memory Stick PRO Duo (original Sony Hong Kong table)
ColoursBlack–
Video
Highest video resolution–1920 × 1080 at 25 fps
Video detailNo movie recording; HDMI supports still-image playback.PAL AVCHD 1920 × 1080 encoded at 50i from 25 fps sensor output, approximately 17 Mbps; MP4 1440 × 1080 or VGA at 25 fps. NTSC versions use 59.94i from 29.97 fps output. No recording autofocus; movie shutter, aperture and ISO remain automatic (Imaging Resource and Reviewed)
Audio–Built-in stereo microphone, external stereo microphone connection and mono playback speaker

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