• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 200.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Sony DSLR-A550 advantages over Nikon P7100

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/1.7 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.16 vs 2.08 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 1.9 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Better color depth
    21.9 vs 19.4 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    807 vs 165 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    11.8 vs 10.7 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 950 vs 350 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Less shutter lag
    0.18 vs 0.28 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    14.2 vs 10.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    6.7 fps vs 1.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Nikon P7100 advantages over Sony DSLR-A550

  • Less expensive
    $500 vs $1050 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Thinner
    48 mm vs 84 mm
    Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 15 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

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
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Your purchases support this site

Review Excerpt

  • Faster overall; Very good image quality; Generous 7.1x zoom range; Good controls; Tilting VGA LCD; RAW support.

  • Video limited to 720p24; Other cameras are still faster in some areas; LCD tilts only up or down, not side-to-side; Sub-command dial turns too easily.

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 P7100
Canon 50D
  • $500
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

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 P7100
Nikon D300S
  • $500
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $1663
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Canon G11

Sony DSLR-A550
Canon G11
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $577
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Integrated ND filter
Nikon P7100
Canon G11
  • $500
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Fast startup
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $577
  • 1/1.7 inch

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 P7100
Sony DSLR-A500
  • $500
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Integrated ND filter
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Nikon P7000

Sony DSLR-A550
Nikon P7000
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $400
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Integrated ND filter
Nikon P7100
Nikon P7000
  • $500
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Fast startup
  • $400
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Faster JPEG shooting
Compare Other Cameras?