Sony Alpha
DSLR-A550
 vs
Sony Alpha
NEX-5

Updated (August, 2011): Compare the Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 vs Sony NEX-5N

Sony Alpha NEX-5

47

  
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550

44

  

Reasons to buy the Sony Alpha NEX-5

Size
 Really small
Compact 111x59x38 mm
HDR
 In-camera HDR
Combines multiple exposures
Panorama
 In-camera panoramas
Stitches together multiple photos into a panorama
3D
 Takes 3D photos
View photos in 3D on 3D televisions
Badge
 Built-in focus motor
Autofocuses with more lenses
 

Reasons to buy the Sony Alpha DSLR-A550

Image stabilization
 Image stabilization
Sensor shift
Startup delay
 Almost no delay when powering up
500 ms startup delay
HDR
 In-camera HDR
Combines multiple exposures
Lens availability
 Slightly more lenses available
92 lenses
Badge
 Built-in focus motor
Autofocuses with more lenses
Battery life
 Great battery life
950 shots
 

differences

Advantages of the Sony DSLR-A550
Image stabilization Image stabilization Sensor shift vs None
Help
 Helps eliminate blur caused by small camera movements
Battery life Much longer battery life 950 shots vs 330 shots
Help
 Around 3x more shots per battery charge
Lens availability Significantly more lenses available 92 lenses vs 8 lenses
Help
 11.5x more lenses available
Storage slots Has more storage slots 2 vs 1
Help
 More slots allows storing more images without switching memory cards
Built-in flash Built-in flash Yes vs No
Help
 A built-in flash is useful for taking indoor shots where there is little light
Startup delay Less startup delay 500 ms vs 1000 ms
Help
 2x less delay when turning on
Viewfinder Has a viewfinder Pentamirror vs None
Help
 A viewfinder can help save battery life by keeping the screen turned off
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 Learn more about
the Sony DSLR-A550

Advantages of the Sony NEX-5
Movie format Shoots movies 1080p @ 30fps vs None
Help
 Shoots Full HD (1080p) video as well as still pictures
Size Much smaller 111x59x38 mm vs 137x104x84 mm
Help
 4.8x smaller
3D Takes 3D photos Yes vs No
Help
 Combines multiple photos into a 3D image
Panorama Can create panoramas in-camera Yes vs No
Help
 Stitches together multiple photos for a wide perspective
Weight Significantly lighter 287 g vs 632 g
Help
 2.2x lighter
Thickness Significantly thinner 1.5" vs 3.3"
Help
 2.2x thinner
Overall image quality Slightly better image quality 69.0 vs 66.0
Help
 Almost the same
Dynamic range More dynamic range 12.2 EV vs 11.8 EV
Help
 0.4 f-stops more dynamic range
Color depth Better color depth 22.2 bits vs 21.9 bits
Help
 Distinguishes 0.3 more bits of color
Sony Alpha NEX-5 Learn more about
the Sony NEX-5
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent digital cameras, and ignoring price

Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
44 vs 47
Explain scores
Sony Alpha NEX-5 Sony Alpha NEX-5
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Sony Alpha NEX-5. This recommendation, however, should be taken with a grain of salt since it doesn't always make sense to compare a entry-level DSLR with a mirrorless interchangeable-lens.

similarities

Compared to recent digital cameras

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Screen flips out Flip-out screens Help
Great for movies
Sensor size Large sensors Help
APS-C 23.4x15.6mm
HDR In-camera HDR Help
Combines multiple exposures
Light sensitivity Very good maximum light sensitivity Help
12,800 ISO
Interchangeable lenses Both support interchangeable lenses, which is uncommon in cameras similar to these Help
Many lenses to choose from
True resolution Capture very high resolution images Help
14 MP
Supports RAW Supports RAW Help
Better editing
Startup delay Minimal startup delay Help
DSLR-A550:500 ms
NEX-5:1000 ms
External flash Support external flash Help
Better lighting
Sensor type Better sensor types Help
Better in low light
Fastest shutter speed Fast max shutter speeds Help
1/4000 of a second
Light sensitivity (boost) No boost ISO Help
Lacks boost light sensitivity

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon D3100

Nikon D3100

Entry-level DSLR

$447 - $740 with 18-55mm lens
Supports 24p Records movies in 24p
Autofocus Focuses automatically while shootting video
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is slightly heavier
Compare the D3100 vs the Alpha DSLR-A550
Compare the D3100 vs the Alpha NEX-5
Nikon D5100

Nikon D5100

Entry-level DSLR

$497 body only

$597 - $805 with 18-55mm lens
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is significantly heavier
Compare the D5100 vs the Alpha DSLR-A550
Compare the D5100 vs the Alpha NEX-5
Canon Rebel T3i

Canon Rebel T3i

Entry-level DSLR

$549 body only

$599 - $649 with 18-55mm lens
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Supports 24p Records movies in 24p
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is significantly heavier
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the Alpha DSLR-A550
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the Alpha NEX-5
Sony SLT-A55

Sony SLT-A55

Entry-level DSLR

$1,098 body only

$1,193 with 18-55mm lens
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
External mic jack Has an external mic jack
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is slightly heavier
Compare the SLT-A55 vs the Alpha DSLR-A550
Compare the SLT-A55 vs the Alpha NEX-5
Canon EOS Rebel T2i

Canon Rebel T2i

Entry-level DSLR

$550 body only

$609 with 18-55mm lens
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Supports 24p Records movies in 24p
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is slightly heavier
Compare the Rebel T2i vs the Alpha DSLR-A550
Compare the Rebel T2i vs the Alpha NEX-5

Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Sony Alpha DSLR-A580

Sony Alpha DSLR-A580

Entry-level DSLR

$619 - $779 with 18-55mm lens
Movie format Shoots movies
Autofocus Faster autofocus
Storage slots Has fewer storage slots
Startup delay More startup delay
Compare the Alpha DSLR-A580 vs the Alpha DSLR-A550
Sony SLT A57

Sony SLT A57

Entry-level DSLR

$460 - $499 body only

$519 - $539 with 18-55mm lens
Autofocus Video autofocus
Movie format Shoots movies
Battery life Significantly shorter battery life
Storage slots Has fewer storage slots
Compare the SLT A57 vs the Alpha DSLR-A550
Sony Alpha DSLR-A700

Sony Alpha DSLR-A700

Entry-level DSLR
Autofocus Faster autofocus
Viewfinder size Larger viewfinder
Screen flips out Screen does not flip out
Live view No live view
Compare the Alpha DSLR-A700 vs the Alpha DSLR-A550
Sony Alpha DSLR-A500

Sony Alpha DSLR-A500

Entry-level DSLR
Battery life Slightly longer battery life
True resolution Lower true resolution
Overall image quality Slightly worse image quality
Compare the Alpha DSLR-A500 vs the Alpha DSLR-A550

Sony Alpha NEX-5 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Sony NEX-5N

Sony NEX-5N

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$650 - $699 with 18-55mm lens
Supports 24p Supports 24p
Touch screen Has a touch screen
Startup delay More startup delay
Compare the NEX-5N vs the Alpha NEX-5
Sony Alpha NEX-3

Sony Alpha NEX-3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$448 with 16-50mm lens
External mic jack Has an external mic jack
Storage slots Has more storage slots
Movie format Lower resolution movies
Dynamic range Less dynamic range
Compare the Alpha NEX-3 vs the Alpha NEX-5
Sony NEX-7

Sony NEX-7

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$948 body only

$1,098 with 18-55mm lens
External mic jack Has an external mic jack
Supports 24p Supports 24p
Startup delay Slightly more startup delay
Weight Heavier
Compare the NEX-7 vs the Alpha NEX-5
Sony Alpha NEX-F3

Sony NEX-F3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$399 - $730 with 18-55mm lens
Supports 24p Supports 24p
Overall image quality Slightly better image quality
Continuous shooting Shoots slower
Startup delay More startup delay
Compare the NEX-F3 vs the Alpha NEX-5
Nikon 1 J1

Nikon 1 J1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$497 with 10-30mm lens
High-speed framerate Records high-speed movies
Continuous shooting Shoots much faster
Screen flips out Screen does not flip out
Overall image quality Worse image quality
Compare the 1 J1 vs the Alpha NEX-5

appearance

Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 Sony Alpha NEX-5
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 Sony Alpha NEX-5
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 Sony Alpha NEX-5

discussion

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