Sony a500 vs Sony a550

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a500 and Sony a550. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Sony a500

Sony a550

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Sony.

These two camera models were both released 2009.

Camera	Released
Sony a500	2009
Sony a550	2009

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Sony APS-C") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Neither of the cameras has a Full frame sensor which means that you will get a "crop factor" where the camera's sensor size affect the focal length with a multiplier.

Camera	Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Sony a500	75 mm Sony APS-C 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:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Sony)

Resolution

Sony a500 has a 12 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
Sony a500	12 MP 12166656 pixels 4272 x 2848
Sony a550	14 MP 14033152 pixels 4592 x 3056

Sony a550 has a 15 % larger resolution than Sony a500. 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

Both of these cameras offer the exact same ISO range. They both have 200 to 12800.

Camera	ISO Range
Sony a500	200-12800
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 Sony a500
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. Sony a500 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds and Sony a550 can shoot up to 7 pictures per seconds.

Camera	FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a500	5
Sony a550	7

Ability to record movies

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

Though, neither Sony a500 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.

Sony a550 weighs 632 gr (equal to 1.39 lb) which is 0% heavier than Sony a500 and its 630 gr (or 1.39 lb).

Camera	Weight
Sony a500	630 gr 1.39 lb
Sony a550	632 gr 1.39 lb