Sony Alpha 500 vs Sony Alpha 550 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Sony · DSLR · 12.3 MP · APS-C
Sony Alpha 500
42
WINNER
|
Sony · DSLR · 14.2 MP · APS-C
Sony Alpha 550
41
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Sony Alpha 500 and Sony Alpha 550 are APS-C DSLRs announced the same day in 2009, and both carry the Sony Alpha DT mount, so either body takes the same Alpha lenses. Dimensions match at 137 x 104 x 84 mm and weights sit 2 g apart at 630 g and 632 g. | ||
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. |
August 27, 2009 | August 27, 2009 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 137 x 104 x 84 mm | 137 x 104 x 84 mm |
| Camera weight | 630 g | 632 g |
| Optics | 46/100 | 42/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Alpha 550 gives you more room to crop and slightly larger prints, with 14.2 megapixels against 12.3 on the Alpha 500. That extra pixel count suits cropping into a distant subject or a landscape print where fine detail carries the frame. Both use the same APS-C CMOS sensor format, so neither gains a field-of-view or depth-of-field advantage from the sensor itself. For action, the Alpha 550 is the faster camera: it shoots at 7 frames per second versus 5 on the Alpha 500. That helps a child's soccer match or birds taking flight, where the extra frames catch the peak moment. The rest of the shooting core matches: both offer 9 autofocus points, a 1/4000 second maximum shutter speed, ISO from 200 to 12800, and in-body stabilisation that steadies handheld shots with any attached lens. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
12.3 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. |
4272 x 2848 | 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. |
CMOS | 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. |
15.6 x 23.5 | 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. |
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. |
20030200 | 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. |
128003003280000 | 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. |
20030200 | 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. |
128003003280000 | 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 ComparisonVideoNeither camera records video or offers built-in timelapse, so motion capture requires a separate device. Both tilting 3-inch screens still help with low-angle and overhead still framing. | ||
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 | 36/100 | 41/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Alpha 550 has the better screen for checking focus and reviewing shots, with 921,600 dots against 230,000 on the Alpha 500, about four times as many. The denser display shows finer detail when you confirm a portrait's eyes or check a landscape's highlights. Both offer the same 3-inch tilting LCD for waist-level and overhead framing. The remaining controls and connectivity are shared rather than divided. Both have a built-in flash, an external flash shoe, live view and an optical pentamirror viewfinder, and both skip touch control, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS and weather sealing. Neither camera suits geotagging a travel archive without a separate GPS recorder. | ||
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 | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
2300001150001500000 | 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 BatteryThe Alpha 500 has the higher battery rating, at 520 shots against 480 for the same NP-FM500H battery in the Alpha 550. That 40-shot advantage favours the Alpha 500 for a long day away from a charger. Neither body supports USB charging. Card support matches: both accept SD and SDHC cards alongside Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo, so cards carry over between bodies. Each has a single slot, so there is no dual-slot backup on either. | ||
| 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-FM500H | NP-FM500H |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
520 shots1505000 | 480 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
The Sony Alpha 550 is the better pick for most stills photographers. Its 7 fps burst catches action the 5 fps Alpha 500 can miss, its 14.2 megapixels give more crop room for wildlife, and its 921,600-dot screen makes focus checking easier. The battery rating runs 40 shots lower.
Choose the Alpha 500 when battery rating dominates, such as a multi-day trip with no charger. It keeps the 520-shot figure and shares the Alpha 550's body dimensions, mount, stabilisation and card formats. Otherwise the Alpha 550's faster burst, crop room and sharper screen matter day to day.