• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 36.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400

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Differences

Sony DSLR-A550 advantages over Nikon D800

  • Less expensive
    $1050 vs $3000 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    6.7 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Nikon D800 advantages over Sony DSLR-A550

  • 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.
  • Fast startup
    ~0.30 vs 0.5 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Better color depth
    25.3 vs 21.9 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    2,853 vs 807 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    14.4 vs 11.8 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • 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
    15 vs 1
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • 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
    0.70x vs 0.53x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    36.3 vs 14.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • More AF points
    51 vs 9
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    54 vs 15 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 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
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

  • Rugged build; Excellent controls; Extremely high resolution; Dual cards; Surprising high ISO performance.

  • Very large files; Slower frame rate; Custom white balance gives a greenish tint; Battery life lower than D700.

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
Nikon D800
Canon 50D
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Better color depth
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Less shutter lag

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
Nikon D800
Nikon D300S
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Better color depth
  • $1663
  • APS-C
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • Faster RAW shooting

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
Nikon D800
Sony DSLR-A500
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Nikon D800E

Sony DSLR-A550
Nikon D800E
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Nikon D800
Nikon D800E
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compared to Nikon D810

Sony DSLR-A550
Nikon D810
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $2363
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Nikon D800
Nikon D810
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $2363
  • 35mm
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
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