• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • 38.00mm - 114.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000

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Differences

Olympus 550WP advantages over Sony A65

  • Less expensive
    $180 vs $1000 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Thinner
    21 mm vs 80 mm
    Thinner

Sony A65 advantages over Olympus 550WP

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    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
    APS-C vs 1/2.33 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.95 vs 1.68 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 510 vs 140 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.14 vs 0.90 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 10.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/1000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • 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 A65

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Canon A480

Olympus 550WP
Canon A480
  • $180
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Thinner
  • More dots on screen
  • $102
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
Sony A65
Canon A480
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $102
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FP1

Olympus 550WP
Panasonic DMC-FP1
  • $180
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • $150
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Sony A65
Panasonic DMC-FP1
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $150
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compared to Olympus Tough-3000

Olympus 550WP
Olympus Tough-3000
  • $180
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $140
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • HDMI out
Sony A65
Olympus Tough-3000
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $140
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compared to Nikon D3200

Olympus 550WP
Nikon D3200
  • $180
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Thinner
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Sony A65
Nikon D3200
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compared to Nikon D5200

Olympus 550WP
Nikon D5200
  • $180
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Thinner
  • $590
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
Sony A65
Nikon D5200
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $590
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
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