• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 61.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Sony DSLR-A550 advantages over Sigma fp L

  • Less expensive
    $1050 vs $2499 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.16 vs 3.78 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 950 vs 240 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/160 vs 1/15 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots

Sigma fp L advantages over Sony DSLR-A550

  • 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
    4K (UHD) vs No
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Thinner
    45 mm vs 84 mm
    Thinner
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • 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 pixels
    61.0 vs 14.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 6.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • 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

  • 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 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
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

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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

Compare Sony DSLR-A550 vs Canon 50D

Sigma fp L
Canon 50D
  • $2499
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sigma fp L 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

Sigma fp L
Nikon D300S
  • $2499
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $1697
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sigma fp L 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

Sigma fp L
Sony DSLR-A500
  • $2499
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sigma fp L vs Sony DSLR-A500

Compared to Sigma fp

Sony DSLR-A550
Sigma fp
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $1480
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Sony DSLR-A550 vs Sigma fp

Sigma fp L
Sigma fp
  • $2499
  • 35mm
  • Newer
  • More pixels
  • $1480
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher max flash sync

Compare Sigma fp L vs Sigma fp

Compared to Sony A7C

Sony DSLR-A550
Sony A7C
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Internal flash
  • $1598
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking

Compare Sony DSLR-A550 vs Sony A7C

Sigma fp L
Sony A7C
  • $2499
  • 35mm
  • Thinner
  • More dots on screen
  • $1598
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sigma fp L vs Sony A7C

Compare Other Cameras?