Fujifilm FinePix IS Pro vs Sony a550

This is a full comparison between the cameras Fujifilm FinePix IS Pro and Sony a550. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Fujifilm FinePix IS Pro is manufacturered by Fujifilm but Sony a550 is from Sony. Both Fujifilm and Sony are well known brands though.

Fujifilm FinePix IS Pro were released 2007 and Sony a550 was released 2009. That is a 2 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Fujifilm FinePix IS Pro 2007
Sony a550 2009

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Fujifilm FinePix IS Pro has a "Fujifilm APS-C"-sensor while Sony a550 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Fujifilm FinePix IS Pro 75 mm
Fujifilm sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Sony a550 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:

Resolution

Fujifilm FinePix IS Pro has a 6 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Sony a550 has 14 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Fujifilm FinePix IS Pro 6 MP
12121088 pixels
4256 x 2848
Sony a550 14 MP
14033152 pixels
4592 x 3056

Sony a550 has a 16 % larger resolution than Fujifilm FinePix IS Pro. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Sony a550 has a larger ISO-range than Fujifilm FinePix IS Pro. Sony a550 has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 12800 while Fujifilm FinePix IS Pro has 100 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Fujifilm FinePix IS Pro 100-3200
Sony a550 200-12800

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Fujifilm FinePix IS Pro
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a550

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Fujifilm FinePix IS Pro can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds and Sony a550 can shoot up to 7 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Fujifilm FinePix IS Pro 3
Sony a550 7

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

Though, neither Fujifilm FinePix IS Pro or Sony a550 can shoot movies so if that is a functionality that you are really looking for you should look elsewhere.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Fujifilm FinePix IS Pro weighs 920 gr (equal to 2.03 lb) which is 46% heavier than Sony a550 and its 632 gr (or 1.39 lb).

Camera Weight
Fujifilm FinePix IS Pro 920 gr
2.03 lb
Sony a550 632 gr
1.39 lb

Fujifilm FinePix IS Pro vs Sony a550 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Fujifilm FinePix IS Pro and Sony a550, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Fujifilm FinePix IS Pro
Sony a550
Name Fujifilm FinePix IS Pro Sony a550
Manufacturer Fujifilm Sony
Release Date and Price
Fujifilm FinePix IS Pro
Sony a550
Release Year 2007 2009
Release Date 2007-07-13 2009-08-27
MSRP N/A 949 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Fujifilm FinePix IS Pro
Sony a550
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Fujifilm FinePix IS Pro
Sony a550
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm)
Sensor Type CCD CMOS
Resolution 4256 x 2848 pixels 4592 x 3056 pixels
Megapixels 6 MP 14 MP
Image Processor Bionz
Image
Fujifilm FinePix IS Pro
Sony a550
ISO Range 100 - 3200 200 - 12800
White Balance Presets 7 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Fujifilm FinePix IS Pro
Sony a550
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points N/A 9
Lens Mount Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Sony A

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-C Sensor (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
APS-C Sensor (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Fujifilm FinePix IS Pro
Sony a550
Articulated LCD N/A Tilting
Screen size 2.5” 3”
Screen dots 230000 921600
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A N/A
Live view No Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.94× (0.63× 35mm equiv.) 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Fujifilm FinePix IS Pro
Sony a550
Frames per second 3 fps 7 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range 12 meters 12 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/2 EV, 1/3 EV steps) +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Fujifilm FinePix IS Pro
Sony a550
Video recording No No
Video format N/A N/A
Video resolution N/A N/A
Built-in Microphone No No
Built-in Speakers No No
Storage
Fujifilm FinePix IS Pro
Sony a550
Memory Card Compact Flash
Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Fujifilm FinePix IS Pro
Sony a550
HDMI Output No Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No No
Remote Control Yes (Optional) Yes (Wired or Wireless (Optional))
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Fujifilm FinePix IS Pro
Sony a550
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion Battery Lithium-Ion NP-FM500H rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) N/A 480 shots
Width 147 mm 137 mm
Height 113 mm 104 mm
Depth 74 mm 84 mm
Weight 920 gram 632 gram