Sony SLT Alpha 35 vs Sony SLT Alpha 55 — Which Is Better?
Side by side50 specifications |
Sony · DSLR · 16 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony SLT Alpha 35
50
SCORE
|
Sony · DSLR · 16.2 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony SLT Alpha 55
51
WINNER
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Sony SLT Alpha 35 and the Sony SLT Alpha 55 are DSLR cameras that share the Sony Alpha DT lens mount, so any DT lenses you already own fit either body. The Alpha 55 arrived in 2010 and the Alpha 35 followed in 2011. Both measure 124 x 92 x 85 mm, and the Alpha 35 is the lighter body at 415 g against 500 g. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2011 | 2010 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
June 8, 2011 | August 24, 2010 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 124 x 92 x 85 mm | 124 x 92 x 85 mm |
| Camera weight | 415 g | 500 g |
| Optics | 57/100 | 58/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Alpha 55 is the stronger choice for photographing fast action, offering a 10 fps burst rate against 5.5 fps on the Alpha 35. That speed suits children's sports, racing or birds in flight, where a dense sequence of frames raises the odds of catching a peak moment. Resolution is a near-match, 16.2 MP against 16 MP, so neither gives a real cropping edge. Both use APS-C CMOS sensors with 15 autofocus points, a 1/4000 second top shutter speed and a standard ISO range of 100 to 12800, expandable to 25600. Both also stabilise the sensor in-body, steadying handheld shots with any mounted lens. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16 MP050 | 16.2 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4912 x 3264 | 4912 x 3264 |
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. |
5.5 fps045 | 10 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 | 10030200 |
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. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
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. |
256003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
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. |
150300 | 150300 |
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. |
Electronic | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | 115000009900000 | 115000009900000 |
| Video | 56/100 | 43/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoFor smoother motion and more slow-motion flexibility, the Alpha 35 is the better video pick, with a maximum frame rate of 60 fps against 30 fps on the Alpha 55. Maximum resolution is shared, as both record up to Full HD. Both write AVCHD and MP4 files, and neither offers a built-in timelapse mode. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Full HD | Full HD |
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. |
1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
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. |
60 fps | 30 fps |
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. |
MP4, AVCHD | AVCHD, MP4 |
| Features | 41/100 | 41/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Alpha 55 has built-in GPS, which tags every photo with its shooting location and is genuinely useful for travel photography or documenting landscapes and fieldwork. The Alpha 35 offers no GPS, so its files carry no location data. Their other controls are shared. Both have a 3-inch LCD with 921000 dots that tilts for waist-level or overhead framing, along with live view, a built-in flash and support for external flash units. Neither has a touchscreen, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 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. |
No |  Yes |
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. |
9210001150001500000 | 9210001150001500000 |
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 | 24/100 | 21/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryBattery life favours the Alpha 35, rated at 440 shots against 380 for the Alpha 55, both running on the same NP-FW50 battery. Storage options are identical. Both have a single card slot accepting SD, SDHC and SDXC cards as well as Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo, and neither charges its battery over USB. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | NP-FW50 | NP-FW50 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
440 shots1505000 | 380 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
| Meta | ||
| Field provenance | — | [object Object] |
| Score validation | ||
Version ⓘThe iteration or release number of a particular lens model. |
— | camera-spec-score-v1-sheet-2026-08-20 |
| Status | — | complete |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Alpha 55 if your photography is about speed and place. Its 10 fps burst rate against 5.5 fps makes it the tool for sports, wildlife and any fast-moving subject, and its GPS geotags travel and landscape work automatically.
Choose the Alpha 35 for a lighter body, a longer battery rating and more video frame-rate headroom. Both share the DT mount, in-body stabilisation and a tilting screen, so you give up no shared capability by picking either.