Sony Alpha 380 vs Sony Alpha 550 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Sony · DSLR · 14.2 MP · APS-C
Sony Alpha 380
41
SCORE
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Sony · DSLR · 14.2 MP · APS-C
Sony Alpha 550
44
WINNER
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Sony Alpha 380 and Sony Alpha 550 are both APS-C DSLRs released in 2009, announced in May and August respectively. Their shared Sony Alpha DT mount means one DT lens collection serves either body, so upgrading between them keeps your lenses in use. The two bodies differ in scale. The Alpha 380 measures 128 x 97 x 71 mm and weighs 519 g, while the Alpha 550 is larger at 137 x 104 x 84 mm and 632 g, a 113 g difference that favours the Alpha 380 for a lighter carry. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2009 | 2009 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
May 18, 2009 | August 27, 2009 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 128 x 97 x 71 mm | 137 x 104 x 84 mm |
| Camera weight | 519 g | 632 g |
| Optics | 46/100 | 48/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Alpha 550 is the stronger choice for photographing moving subjects, because it shoots continuously at 7 fps while the Alpha 380 manages 2.5 fps. That speed gap gives the Alpha 550 far more frames of a child sprinting or a bird taking flight. For dim interiors and evening streets, the Alpha 550 offers more ISO headroom, reaching 12800 ISO against 3200 ISO on the Alpha 380, and it uses a CMOS sensor rather than the Alpha 380's CCD. Resolution is a shared 14.2 megapixels, so both deliver the same pixel count for prints and cropping. Both cameras stabilise the sensor in-body for steadier handheld shooting, and both focus through 9 autofocus points. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
14.2 MP050 | 14.2 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4592 x 3056 | 4592 x 3056 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
15.8 x 23.6 | 15.6 x 23.5 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
2.5 fps045 | 7 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Sony Alpha DT | Sony Alpha DT |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Bionz | Bionz |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 20030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
32003003280000 | 128003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 20030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
32003003280000 | 128003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
90300 | 90300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | ||
Read the Video ComparisonVideoAnyone who needs movie recording has to look beyond this pair, since neither the Alpha 380 nor the Alpha 550 records video of any kind. Neither offers built-in timelapse either, so motion sequences require external tools. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
N/A | N/A |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
N/A | N/A |
| Features | 34/100 | 41/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Alpha 550 gives you a much better screen for reviewing shots and checking focus, with a 3-inch LCD of 921,600 dots against the Alpha 380's 2.7-inch, 230,400-dot panel. Both screens tilt, which helps when framing at waist level or over a crowd, and both cameras offer live view for composing on the screen instead of the optical pentamirror viewfinder. Both cameras include a built-in flash and a shoe for an external unit. Neither has GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, touch control or weather sealing. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 2.7" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
2304001150001500000 | 9216001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 27/100 | 27/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryYour existing cards work in either body. Both accept SD and SDHC cards as well as Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo through a single slot, and neither charges over USB. The batteries differ. The Alpha 380 runs on an NP-FH50 rated for 500 shots, while the Alpha 550 uses an NP-FM500H rated for 480 shots, a small edge to the Alpha 380 in the rated figures. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo | SD / SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | NP-FH50 | NP-FM500H |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
500 shots1505000 | 480 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
The Alpha 550 is the better camera for most photographers. Its 7 fps burst makes it the practical choice for sports, pets and wildlife, where the Alpha 380's 2.5 fps would miss the peak moment, and its higher ISO range gives you settings to keep shooting at indoor events after dark. Its larger, higher-resolution screen makes reviewing those frames easier too.
Choose the Alpha 380 instead if you want the lightest body for travel or long walks, since it is 113 g lighter and slightly smaller while producing the same 14.2-megapixel files. Both cameras take the same DT lenses and the same memory cards, so neither choice strands your accessories.