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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W55 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W90

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

SonyCyber-shot DSC-W55SonyCyber-shot DSC-W90
Overview
ReleasedFebruary 2007March 2007
Image and sensor
Camera typeCompactCompact
Sensor typeSuper HAD CCDSuper HAD CCD
Effective resolution7.2 MP8.1 MP
Largest image3072 × 23043264 × 2448
RAW recordingNoNo
Standard ISO range100–1000100–3200
Sensor detail1/2.5-type primary-colour CCD, approximately 7.201 million effective and 7.41 million total photosites; optical format is not physical sensor dimensions1/2.5-type primary-colour Super HAD CCD, approximately 8.083 million effective and 8.286 million total photosites in the manual; UK support rounds effective resolution to 8.0 MP. Optical format is not physical sensor dimensions
Image formatsJPEG Fine/Standard, 3072 × 2304 maximum; 3072 × 2048 in 3:2 or 1920 × 1080 in 16:9JPEG, 3264 × 2448 maximum; 3264 × 2176 in 3:2 or 1920 × 1080 in 16:9
ISO detail–Auto or ISO100–3200 in Sony UK and US specifications
Image processorReal Imaging Processor with Clear RAW NR; this processes JPEG photographs and does not provide RAW recordingBIONZ with D-range optimisation and Clear RAW NR; RAW noise processing does not provide RAW file recording
Lens and shooting
Built-in lens38–114 mm equivalent35–105 mm equivalent
Maximum aperturef/2.8–5.2f/2.8–5.2
Optical zoom3×3×
StabilisationNoneOptical lens stabilisation
Maximum continuous burst–2.2 fps
Lens detailCarl Zeiss Vario-Tessar, actual 6.3–18.9 mm; manual specifies 38–114 mm equivalent, whereas Hong Kong launch table misprints the wide end as 35 mmCarl Zeiss Vario-Tessar, actual 5.8–17.4 mm, 35–105 mm equivalent; six elements in five groups including three aspherical elements in Sony US datasheet
AutofocusFive-area Multipoint or centre AF, Single or Monitoring operation and AF illuminator; focus presets. Normal focus from approximately 50 cm, macro 2 cm wide or 30 cm telephotoNine-area Multipoint, centre or spot AF with illuminator and focus presets; face detection for up to eight people. Normal focus from 50 cm; macro from 4 cm wide or 35 cm telephoto
Shutter–Auto approximately 1/4–1/1600 second; Program approximately 1–1/1600 second in Sony US datasheet
Burst detailPhoto Review measured approximately 0.9-second intervals in a short full-resolution burst; its specification table lists four frames. Reduced Multi Burst records sixteen frames combined into one 1M photograph with selectable 1/30, 1/15 or 1/7.5-second intervalsSony US datasheet specifies up to 100 shots at 2.2 fps at all resolutions; UK support specifies approximately 0.46-second intervals. Les Numériques measured 1.6 fps, whereas Digital Trends reported over 2.5 fps for seven full-resolution frames before a pause; these are separate test conditions
Stabilisation detail–Optical Super SteadyShot lens stabilisation
FlashBuilt-in flash, Auto/forced/off/slow-sync and red-eye reduction; manual recommends ISO Auto range approximately 0.2–3.9 m wide or 0.3–2.0 m telephotoBuilt-in flash with Auto, forced, off, slow-sync and red-eye reduction; ISO Auto range approximately 0.2–3.3 m wide or 0.4–1.8 m telephoto
Exposure controlsAuto, Program and seven scene modes: High Sensitivity, Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Landscape, Soft Snap, Snow and Beach; multi-pattern, centre-weighted or spot meteringAuto, Program and seven scene modes; multi-pattern metering, ±2 EV compensation and white-balance presets. No aperture-priority or manual-aperture mode
Video
Highest video resolution640 × 480 at 30 fps640 × 480 at 30 fps
Video detailMPEG Movie VX Fine, 640 × 480 at approximately 30 fps, requires Memory Stick PRO Duo; Standard approximately 17 fps, a smaller video-mail mode. Maximum movie file approximately 2 GBMPEG Movie VX Fine 640 × 480 at approximately 30 fps requires Memory Stick PRO Duo; Standard and Presentation modes also available. Movie file limited to approximately 2 GB; no HD movie recording or playback
AudioMPEG1 mono movie sound; built-in mono microphone and speakerMPEG1 mono movie sound; built-in mono microphone and speaker
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderOpticalOptical
Screen size2.5″2.5″
Screen dots115,200115,200
TouchscreenNoNo
Tilting screenNoNo
Display detailFixed 2.5-type TFT LCD; manual specifies 115200 dots, launch sheet rounds to 115K. Histogram, adjustable backlight and optical real-image viewfinderFixed 2.5-type TFT LCD, 115200 dots in the manual versus rounded 115K on UK support; 100% LCD field of view, histogram and optical real-image viewfinder
Connections and design
Bluetooth–No
Battery life (maker's claim)380 photographs350 photographs
Body weight116 g124 g
Release detailSony US 17 January 2007 announcement reproduced by DPReview specifies February store availability; Hong Kong maker announcement specifies beginning of March. February month precision retained, exact international first-sale day unconfirmedSony US 27 February 2007 announcement specifies March availability. March month precision retained because the first on-sale day is unconfirmed
Recording mediaApproximately 56 MB internal memory; Memory Stick Duo or Memory Stick PRO Duo, not an SD card slotApproximately 31 MB internal memory; Memory Stick Duo or Memory Stick PRO Duo. UK support also lists PRO Duo High Speed and PRO-HG Duo at PRO Duo speed; no SD card slot
PortsMulti-use connector for USB 2.0 Hi-Speed and mono AV output; PictBridge direct printing. W55 uses the multi-connector cable, rather than the separate USB/AV sockets of W35Multi-use connector for USB 2.0 Hi-Speed and mono AV output. HD component still-photo output requires an optional Sony cable or compatible dock; not an HDMI socket or HD movie output
Battery life detailNP-BG1, 3.4 Wh/960 mAh; manual CIPA claim approximately 380 photographs/190 minutes with LCD on or 490/245 minutes off at 25°C, Fine JPEG, Single AF, alternating zoom ends, one shot every 30 seconds, flash every second shot and power cycle every tenNP-BG1, 3.4 Wh/960 mAh; manual CIPA claim approximately 350 photographs/175 minutes with LCD on or 410/205 minutes off at 25°C, Single AF, Shooting stabilisation, alternating zoom ends, one shot every 30 seconds, flash every second shot and power cycle every ten
ChargingExternal BC-CSG/BC-CSGB/BC-CSGC battery charger; practical charge approximately 270 minutes or full charge 330 minutes at 25°C. Optional AC adapter does not charge the battery inside cameraExternal BC-CSG/BC-CSGB/BC-CSGC charger; practical charge approximately 270 minutes or full charge 330 minutes at 25°C
Dimensions88.9 × 57.1 × 22.9 mm (width × height × depth), excluding protrusions91.0 × 58.0 × 22.9 mm (width × height × depth), excluding protrusions
Weight detail116 g excluding battery and media in Sony Hong Kong specification table; manual loaded weight approximately 147 g including NP-BG1, wrist strap and other accessories124 g body-only in Sony UK and US specifications; approximately 155 g including NP-BG1 and accessories in manual, or battery and optional Memory Stick Duo in US datasheet
MaterialsSony Hong Kong describes full-metal aluminium construction; Photo Review describes aluminium cladding over a plastic bodyMetal exterior; Sony US announcement describes a metal body
ColoursBlack, silver, blue or pink; colour finishes share this entryBlack or silver; finishes share this model
In the boxNP-BG1, external battery charger, power cord where applicable, multi-use USB/AV cable, wrist strap, software CD-ROM and instructions; memory card not suppliedNP-BG1, external charger, power cord where applicable, multi-use USB/AV cable, wrist strap, software/handbook CD-ROM and instructions; memory card and HD cable not supplied

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