• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800

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Differences

Canon 40D advantages over Sony DSLR-A550

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.10 vs 5.16 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • More cross-type AF points
    9 vs 1
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 15 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Sony DSLR-A550 advantages over Canon 40D

  • Less expensive
    $1050 vs $1299 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Higher effective ISO
    807 vs 703 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    14.2 vs 10.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Canon 50D

Canon 40D
Canon 50D
  • $1299
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • HDMI out

Compare Canon 40D vs Canon 50D

Sony DSLR-A550
Canon 50D
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony DSLR-A550 vs Canon 50D

Compared to Nikon D300S

Canon 40D
Nikon D300S
  • $1299
  • APS-C
  • Less shutter lag
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $1697
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 40D vs Nikon D300S

Sony DSLR-A550
Nikon D300S
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $1697
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony DSLR-A550 vs Nikon D300S

Compared to Sony DSLR-A500

Canon 40D
Sony DSLR-A500
  • $1299
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Top deck display
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 40D vs Sony DSLR-A500

Sony DSLR-A550
Sony DSLR-A500
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • More dots on screen
  • More pixels
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony DSLR-A550 vs Sony DSLR-A500

Compared to Sony DSLR-A560

Canon 40D
Sony DSLR-A560
  • $1299
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels
  • $750
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 40D vs Sony DSLR-A560

Sony DSLR-A550
Sony DSLR-A560
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Less shutter lag
  • $750
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Sony DSLR-A550 vs Sony DSLR-A560

Compared to Pentax K-5

Canon 40D
Pentax K-5
  • $1299
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 40D vs Pentax K-5

Sony DSLR-A550
Pentax K-5
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Sony DSLR-A550 vs Pentax K-5

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