Sony a550 vs Canon EOS 1D Mark IV

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a550 and Canon EOS 1D Mark IV. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a550 is manufacturered by Sony but Canon EOS 1D Mark IV is from Canon. Both Sony and Canon are well known brands though.

These two camera models were both released 2009.

Camera Released
Sony a550 2009
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV 2009

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a550 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Canon EOS 1D Mark IV has a "Canon APS-H"-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 **
Sony a550 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV 65 mm
Canon APS-H sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.3

** 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)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Sony a550 has a 14 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 1D Mark IV has 16,1 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a550 14 MP
14033152 pixels
4592 x 3056
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV 16,1 MP
15980544 pixels
4896 x 3264

Canon EOS 1D Mark IV has a 14 % larger resolution than Sony a550. 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

Canon EOS 1D Mark IV has a larger ISO-range than Sony a550. Canon EOS 1D Mark IV has an ISO range that stretches from 50 to 102400 while Sony a550 has 200 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a550 200-12800
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV 50-102400

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 a550
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 1D Mark IV

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a550 can shoot up to 7 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 1D Mark IV can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a550 7
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV 10

Ability to record movies

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

It is only one of these two cameras that support recording movies and movie clips and that is Canon EOS 1D Mark IV. Sadly, the Sony a550 does not support this.

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.

Canon EOS 1D Mark IV weighs 1230 gr (equal to 2.71 lb) which is 95% heavier than Sony a550 and its 632 gr (or 1.39 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a550 632 gr
1.39 lb
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV 1230 gr
2.71 lb

Sony a550 vs Canon EOS 1D Mark IV Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a550 and Canon EOS 1D Mark IV, 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
Sony a550
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Name Sony a550 Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Manufacturer Sony Canon
Release Date and Price
Sony a550
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Release Year 2009 2009
Release Date 2009-08-27 2009-10-20
MSRP 949 USD 4999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a550
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Sony a550
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) APS-H (approx 27.9 x 18.6 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4592 x 3056 pixels 4896 x 3264 pixels
Megapixels 14 MP 16,1 MP
Image Processor Bionz DIGIC 4
Image
Sony a550
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
ISO Range 200 - 12800 50 - 102400
White Balance Presets 6 8
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a550
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 9 45
Lens Mount Sony A

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF

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-H Sensor
1.3x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 31 mm
50 mm becomes 65 mm
100 mm becomes 130 mm
200 mm becomes 260 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Sony a550
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 921600 920000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.) 0.76× (0.58× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a550
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Frames per second 7 fps 10 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes No
Built-in Flash Range 12 meters N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a550
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Video recording No Yes
Video format N/A H.264
Video resolution N/A 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone No Yes
Built-in Speakers No No
Storage
Sony a550
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a550
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No Yes
Optional , Eye-Fi Connected and Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E2
Remote Control Yes (Wired or Wireless (Optional)) Yes (N3 connector)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a550
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion NP-FM500H rechargeable battery & charger
Lithium-Ion LP-E4 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 480 shots 1500 shots
Width 137 mm 156 mm
Height 104 mm 157 mm
Depth 84 mm 80 mm
Weight 632 gram 1230 gram