• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 45.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Sony DSLR-A550 advantages over Canon R5

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.16 vs 4.39 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 950 vs 320 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Canon R5 advantages over Sony DSLR-A550

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Shoot 4K video
    No vs No
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • More telephoto lens reach
    105 mm vs 83 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    4 years vs 15 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    2100k vs 922k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.76x vs 0.53x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    45.0 vs 14.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 27 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 12800 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
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Canon 50D

Sony DSLR-A550
Canon 50D
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Canon R5
Canon 50D
  • $3349
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Nikon D300S

Sony DSLR-A550
Nikon D300S
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $1697
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Canon R5
Nikon D300S
  • $3349
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $1697
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony DSLR-A500

Sony DSLR-A550
Sony DSLR-A500
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • More dots on screen
  • More pixels
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
Canon R5
Sony DSLR-A500
  • $3349
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Nikon Z7 II

Sony DSLR-A550
Nikon Z7 II
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $2497
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Canon R5
Nikon Z7 II
  • $3349
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $2497
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compared to Sony A1

Sony DSLR-A550
Sony A1
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $6498
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Canon R5
Sony A1
  • $3349
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $6498
  • 35mm
  • Slower slow-motion
  • NFC
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