Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
Competitors

As well as being compared against other entry-level DSLRs, the Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 is also often compared to mirrorless and pro DSLRs. The Sony Alpha DSLR-A550's top rivals come from Sony (such as the Alpha NEX-5 and the Alpha DSLR-A580) and Nikon (such as the D5100 and the D90)

Generally, some of the advantages of the Sony DSLR-A550 compared to other entry-level DSLR competitors include: it has better image stabilization (sensor shift vs none), slightly higher maximum light sensitivity (12,800 ISO vs 6,400 ISO), has a screen which flips out, has in-camera HDR and has more storage slots (2 vs 1).

However, on average it is slightly more noisy at high ISO (807 ISO vs 977 ISO), has slightly lower image quality (66.0 vs 80.0), doesn't record movies (none vs 1080p @ 30fps), has significantly less color depth (21.9 bits vs 23 bits) and has slightly narrower dynamic range (11.8 EV vs 12.4 EV).

Nikon D5100 1 year newer $500 - $597 (body only) $600 - $697 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the D5100 (vs the DSLR-A550) Significantly lower noise at high ISO: 1,183 ISO vs 807 ISO Much better image quality: 80.0 vs 66.0 Shoots movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs None Significant disadvantages of the D5100 (vs the DSLR-A550) No image stabilization: None vs Sensor shift Shoots significantly slower: 4 fps vs 7 fps Worse maximum light sensitivity: 6,400 ISO vs 12,800 ISO common strengths of the D5100 and DSLR-A550 High resolution screens: 920k dots vs 921k dots Flip-out screens In-camera HDR
	Compare the Nikon D5100 vs the Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
Sony Alpha DSLR-A580 1 year newer $949 55-200mm lens	Significant advantages of the DSLR-A580 (vs the DSLR-A550) Much better image quality: 80.0 vs 66.0 Significantly lower noise at high ISO: 1,121 ISO vs 807 ISO Shoots movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs None Significant disadvantages of the DSLR-A580 (vs the DSLR-A550) None found common strengths of the DSLR-A580 and DSLR-A550 High resolution screens: 921k dots vs 921k dots Good image stabilization: Sensor shift vs Sensor shift Fast continuous shooting: 7 fps vs 7 fps
	Compare the DSLR-A580 vs the DSLR-A550
Sony SLT-A55 1 year newer $598 (body only) $729 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the SLT-A55 (vs the DSLR-A550) Shoots movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs None Faster autofocus: Phase detection vs Contrast detection Better color depth: 23 bits vs 21.9 bits Significant disadvantages of the SLT-A55 (vs the DSLR-A550) Has a digital viewfinder: Digital vs Pentamirror Has fewer storage slots: 1 vs 2 common strengths of the SLT-A55 and DSLR-A550 High resolution screens: 921k dots vs 921k dots Good image stabilization: Sensor shift vs Sensor shift Fast continuous shooting: 10 fps vs 7 fps
	Compare the SLT-A55 vs the Alpha DSLR-A550
Nikon D90 1 year older $830 - $897 (body only) $1,200 - $1,299 18-105mm lens	Significant advantages of the D90 (vs the DSLR-A550) Faster autofocus: Phase detection vs Contrast detection Better color depth: 22.7 bits vs 21.9 bits Better image quality: 73.0 vs 66.0 Significant disadvantages of the D90 (vs the DSLR-A550) No image stabilization: None vs Sensor shift Worse maximum light sensitivity: 3,200 ISO vs 12,800 ISO Screen does not flip out common strengths of the D90 and DSLR-A550 High resolution screens: 930k dots vs 921k dots
	Compare the Nikon D90 vs the Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
Canon Rebel T2i 5 months newer $544 - $949 (body only) $649 - $867 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the T2i (vs the DSLR-A550) Shoots movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs None Faster autofocus: Phase detection vs Contrast detection Significantly more lenses available: 162 lenses vs 92 lenses Significant disadvantages of the T2i (vs the DSLR-A550) No image stabilization: None vs Sensor shift Screen does not flip out Lacks in-camera HDR common strengths of the T2i and DSLR-A550 High resolution screens: 1,040k dots vs 921k dots
	Compare the Canon EOS Rebel T2i vs the Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
Pentax K-r 1 year newer $631 - $649 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the K-r (vs the DSLR-A550) Faster autofocus: Phase detection vs Contrast detection Better color depth: 22.9 bits vs 21.9 bits Shoots movies: 720p @ 25fps vs None Significant disadvantages of the K-r (vs the DSLR-A550) Screen does not flip out Has fewer storage slots: 1 vs 2 common strengths of the K-r and DSLR-A550 High resolution screens: 920k dots vs 921k dots Good image stabilization: Sensor shift vs Sensor shift Very good maximum light sensitivity: 12,800 ISO vs 12,800 ISO
	Compare the Pentax K-r vs the Sony Alpha DSLR-A550

Generally, some of the advantages of the Sony DSLR-A550 compared to mirrorless interchangeable-lens competitors include: it has higher quality type of viewfinder (pentamirror vs none), has image stabilization (sensor shift vs none), much more lenses available (92 lenses vs 8 lenses), has more storage slots (2 vs 1) and has a built-in flash.

However, on average it is slightly more noisy at high ISO (807 ISO vs 1,016 ISO), doesn't record movies (none vs 1080p @ 30fps), has slightly lower image quality (66.0 vs 77.0), has slightly less color depth (21.9 bits vs 23.6 bits) and has slightly narrower dynamic range (11.8 EV vs 12.7 EV).

Sony Alpha NEX-5 8 months newer $569 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the NEX-5 (vs the DSLR-A550) Shoots movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs None Much smaller: Compact 111x59x38 mm vs Professional size 137x104x84 mm Can create panoramas in-camera Significant disadvantages of the NEX-5 (vs the DSLR-A550) No viewfinder: None vs Pentamirror Much fewer lenses available: 8 lenses vs 92 lenses No image stabilization: None vs Sensor shift common strengths of the NEX-5 and DSLR-A550 High resolution screens: 920k dots vs 921k dots Good dynamic range: 12.2 EV vs 11.8 EV Good color depth: 22.2 bits vs 21.9 bits
	Compare the NEX-5 vs the DSLR-A550
Sony NEX-5N 2 years newer $598 - $600 (body only) $698 - $700 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the NEX-5N (vs the DSLR-A550) Shoots movies: 1080p @ 60fps vs None Much smaller: Compact 111x59x38 mm vs Professional size 137x104x84 mm Video autofocus: Contrast detection vs None Significant disadvantages of the NEX-5N (vs the DSLR-A550) No viewfinder: None vs Pentamirror Much fewer lenses available: 8 lenses vs 92 lenses No image stabilization: None vs Sensor shift common strengths of the NEX-5N and DSLR-A550 Relatively low noise at high ISO: 1,079 ISO vs 807 ISO High resolution screens: 920k dots vs 921k dots Good dynamic range: 12.7 EV vs 11.8 EV
	Compare the NEX-5N vs the Alpha DSLR-A550
Sony NEX C3 1 year newer $548 16mm lens	Significant advantages of the C3 (vs the DSLR-A550) Shoots movies: 720p @ 30fps vs None Much smaller: Compact 110x60x33 mm vs Professional size 137x104x84 mm Video autofocus: Contrast detection vs None Significant disadvantages of the C3 (vs the DSLR-A550) No viewfinder: None vs Pentamirror Much fewer lenses available: 8 lenses vs 92 lenses No image stabilization: None vs Sensor shift common strengths of the C3 and DSLR-A550 Relatively low noise at high ISO: 1,083 ISO vs 807 ISO High resolution screens: 921k dots vs 921k dots Good dynamic range: 12.2 EV vs 11.8 EV
	Compare the NEX C3 vs the Alpha DSLR-A550
Sony NEX-7 2 years newer $1,200 (body only) $1,350 - $1,499 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the NEX-7 (vs the DSLR-A550) Shoots movies: 1080p @ 60fps vs None Much smaller: Compact 111x59x38 mm vs Professional size 137x104x84 mm Significantly better image quality: 81.0 vs 66.0 Significant disadvantages of the NEX-7 (vs the DSLR-A550) Much fewer lenses available: 8 lenses vs 92 lenses No image stabilization: None vs Sensor shift Has fewer storage slots: 1 vs 2 common strengths of the NEX-7 and DSLR-A550 Relatively low noise at high ISO: 1,016 ISO vs 807 ISO High resolution screens: 921k dots vs 921k dots Viewfinders: Digital vs Pentamirror
	Compare the NEX-7 vs the Alpha DSLR-A550

Generally, some of the advantages of the Sony DSLR-A550 compared to pro DSLR competitors include: it has better image stabilization (sensor shift vs none), slightly higher maximum light sensitivity (12,800 ISO vs 6,400 ISO), has a screen which flips out, has in-camera HDR and has more storage slots (2 vs 1).

However, on average it doesn't record movies (none vs 1080p @ 30fps), has slightly less color depth (21.9 bits vs 22.2 bits), slightly smaller viewfinder (0.52x vs 0.72x), takes slightly lower resolution photos (14 MP vs 17.9 MP) and it's body is not weather sealed.

Canon EOS 60D 1 year newer $848 - $1,304 (body only) $1,177 - $1,342 18-135mm lens	Significant advantages of the 60D (vs the DSLR-A550) Faster autofocus: Phase detection vs Contrast detection Shoots movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs None Significantly more lenses available: 162 lenses vs 92 lenses Significant disadvantages of the 60D (vs the DSLR-A550) No image stabilization: None vs Sensor shift Lacks in-camera HDR Has fewer storage slots: 1 vs 2 common strengths of the 60D and DSLR-A550 Flip-out screens Fairly small: Professional size 145x106x79 mm vs Professional size 137x104x84 mm Supports RAW
	Compare the Canon EOS 60D vs the Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
Sony SLT A77 2 years newer $1,398 (body only) $1,998 16-50mm lens	Significant advantages of the SLT A77 (vs the DSLR-A550) Better color depth: 24 bits vs 21.9 bits Significantly better image quality: 78.0 vs 66.0 Faster autofocus: Phase detection vs Contrast detection Significant disadvantages of the SLT A77 (vs the DSLR-A550) Has a digital viewfinder: Digital vs Pentamirror Has fewer storage slots: 1 vs 2 common strengths of the SLT A77 and DSLR-A550 Very good image stabilization: Sensor shift vs Sensor shift Flip-out screens In-camera HDR
	Compare the SLT A77 vs the Alpha DSLR-A550
Canon EOS 50D 1 year older $1,282 - $1,350 (body only) $1,950 18-200mm lens	Significant advantages of the 50D (vs the DSLR-A550) Faster autofocus: Phase detection vs Contrast detection Significantly more lenses available: 162 lenses vs 92 lenses Significantly thinner: 2.9" vs 3.3" Significant disadvantages of the 50D (vs the DSLR-A550) No image stabilization: None vs Sensor shift Screen does not flip out Lacks in-camera HDR common strengths of the 50D and DSLR-A550 Fairly small: Professional size 146x108x74 mm vs Professional size 137x104x84 mm Supports RAW Light weight: 822 g vs 632 g
	Compare the Canon EOS 50D vs the Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
Canon EOS 7D similar age $1,549 - $1,821 (body only) $1,500 - $1,849 18-135mm lens	Significant advantages of the 7D (vs the DSLR-A550) Faster autofocus: Phase detection vs Contrast detection Shoots movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs None Weather sealed Significant disadvantages of the 7D (vs the DSLR-A550) No image stabilization: None vs Sensor shift Screen does not flip out Lacks in-camera HDR common strengths of the 7D and DSLR-A550 Fairly small: Professional size 148x111x74 mm vs Professional size 137x104x84 mm Supports RAW Light weight: 860 g vs 632 g
	Compare the Canon EOS 7D vs the Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
Canon EOS 40D 2 years older $650 (body only)	Significant advantages of the 40D (vs the DSLR-A550) Significantly more lenses available: 162 lenses vs 92 lenses Significantly thinner: 2.9" vs 3.3" Much faster max shutter speed: 1/8000 of a second vs 1/4000 of a second Significant disadvantages of the 40D (vs the DSLR-A550) Much lower resolution screen: 230k dots vs 921k dots No image stabilization: None vs Sensor shift Less dynamic range: 11.3 EV vs 11.8 EV common strengths of the 40D and DSLR-A550 Fairly small: Professional size 146x108x74 mm vs Professional size 137x104x84 mm Supports RAW Light weight: 822 g vs 632 g
	Compare the Canon EOS 40D vs the Sony Alpha DSLR-A550