• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 26.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 40,000

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Differences

Sony DSLR-A550 advantages over Canon 6D Mark II

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Lighter weight
    912g vs 1560g
    Lighter weight

Canon 6D Mark II advantages over Sony DSLR-A550

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Better color depth
    24.4 vs 21.9 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    2,862 vs 807 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1200 vs 950 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    105 mm vs 83 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More cross-type AF points
    45 vs 1
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • Newer
    7 years vs 14 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.71x vs 0.53x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    26.2 vs 14.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • More AF points
    45 vs 9
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 27 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    98 vs 15 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 6D Mark II

Review Excerpt

  • Great vari-angle touchscreen; Dual Pixel CMOS AF; Good image quality in most situations; Impressive performance for its class.

  • Disappointing dynamic range; No 4K video; Optical viewfinder comes up short; Narrow AF point coverage through viewfinder.

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
Canon 6D Mark II
Canon 50D
  • $1303
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Nikon D300S

Sony DSLR-A550
Nikon D300S
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $1663
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Canon 6D Mark II
Nikon D300S
  • $1303
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1663
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Internal flash

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
Canon 6D Mark II
Sony DSLR-A500
  • $1303
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Internal flash

Compared to Nikon D610

Sony DSLR-A550
Nikon D610
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $1271
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Canon 6D Mark II
Nikon D610
  • $1303
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $1271
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • More dynamic range

Compared to Nikon D750

Sony DSLR-A550
Nikon D750
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Lighter weight
  • $1698
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Canon 6D Mark II
Nikon D750
  • $1303
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1698
  • 35mm
  • More dynamic range
  • Internal flash
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