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

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Differences

Sony DSLR-A550 advantages over Samsung NX20

  • Lens selection
    Good vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.16 vs 4.33 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 3.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 950 vs 360 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 614k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Less shutter lag
    0.18 vs 0.35 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)

Samsung NX20 advantages over Sony DSLR-A550

  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Thinner
    39 mm vs 84 mm
    Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Lighter weight
    637g vs 912g
    Lighter weight
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.69x vs 0.53x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    20.3 vs 14.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.5 fps vs 6.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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

  • 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 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
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • 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

User reviews

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Buy the Sony DSLR-A550

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Samsung NX20
Kit with 18-55mm Lens
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Review Excerpt

  • High quality images with lots of detail; Excellent graphical user interface is fun to use; Smart implementation of WiFi makes it relatively easy to share photos wirelessly.

  • Designed so much like a DSLR you may wonder why you shouldn't get a DSLR instead; Some performance issues, particularly slow buffer clearing and shot-to-shot speed; Initial WiFi set-up can be confusing.

  • Read our Samsung NX20 Review

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

Compare Sony DSLR-A550 vs Canon 50D

Samsung NX20
Canon 50D
  • $400
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Samsung NX20 vs Canon 50D

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

Compare Sony DSLR-A550 vs Nikon D300S

Samsung NX20
Nikon D300S
  • $400
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $1697
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Samsung NX20 vs Nikon D300S

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

Compare Sony DSLR-A550 vs Sony DSLR-A500

Samsung NX20
Sony DSLR-A500
  • $400
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • More dynamic range
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Lens selection

Compare Samsung NX20 vs Sony DSLR-A500

Compared to Pentax K-01

Sony DSLR-A550
Pentax K-01
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $359
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

Compare Sony DSLR-A550 vs Pentax K-01

Samsung NX20
Pentax K-01
  • $400
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $359
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

Compare Samsung NX20 vs Pentax K-01

Compared to Sony NEX-F3

Sony DSLR-A550
Sony NEX-F3
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Sony DSLR-A550 vs Sony NEX-F3

Samsung NX20
Sony NEX-F3
  • $400
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Samsung NX20 vs Sony NEX-F3

Compare Other Cameras?