Sony a550 vs Canon EOS Kiss Digital X3
This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a550 and Canon EOS Kiss Digital X3. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Sony a550 is manufacturered by Sony but Canon EOS Kiss Digital X3 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 Kiss Digital X3 | 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 Kiss Digital X3 has a "Canon 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 ** |
| Sony a550 | 75 mm Sony APS-C sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5 |
| Canon EOS Kiss Digital X3 | 80 mm Canon APS-C sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6 |
** 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 Kiss Digital X3 has 15,1 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 Kiss Digital X3 |
15,1 MP
15054336 pixels 4752 x 3168 |
Canon EOS Kiss Digital X3 has a 7 % 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 Kiss Digital X3 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a550. Canon EOS Kiss Digital X3 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 12800 while Sony a550 has 200 to 12800.
| Camera | ISO Range |
| Sony a550 | 200-12800 |
| Canon EOS Kiss Digital X3 | 100-12800 |
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 a550
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS Kiss Digital X3
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 Kiss Digital X3 can shoot up to 3,4 pictures per seconds.
| Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
| Sony a550 | 7 |
| Canon EOS Kiss Digital X3 | 3,4 |
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 Kiss Digital X3. 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.
Sony a550 weighs 632 gr (equal to 1.39 lb) which is 22% heavier than Canon EOS Kiss Digital X3 and its 520 gr (or 1.15 lb).
| Camera | Weight |
| Sony a550 | 632 gr 1.39 lb |
| Canon EOS Kiss Digital X3 | 520 gr 1.15 lb |
Sony a550 vs Canon EOS Kiss Digital X3 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a550 and Canon EOS Kiss Digital X3, 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 Kiss Digital X3 |
| Name | Sony a550 | Canon EOS Kiss Digital X3 |
| Manufacturer | Sony | Canon |
Release Date and Price |
Sony a550 |
Canon EOS Kiss Digital X3 |
| Release Year | 2009 | 2009 |
| Release Date | 2009-08-27 | 2009-03-25 |
| MSRP | 949 USD | 699 USD |
| Buy it today |
|
|
Camera Type |
Sony a550 |
Canon EOS Kiss Digital X3 |
| Camera Type | DSLR | DSLR |
Sensor |
Sony a550 |
Canon EOS Kiss Digital X3 |
| Sensor Size | APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) | APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm) |
| Sensor Type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Resolution | 4592 x 3056 pixels | 4752 x 3168 pixels |
| Megapixels | 14 MP | 15,1 MP |
| Image Processor | Bionz | DIGIC 4 |
Image |
Sony a550 |
Canon EOS Kiss Digital X3 |
| ISO Range | 200 - 12800 | 100 - 12800 |
| White Balance Presets | 6 | 6 |
| 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 Kiss Digital X3 |
| 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 | 9 |
| Lens Mount |
Sony A See Compatible Lenses |
Canon EF Canon EF-S 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 1.6x multiplier Example: 24 mm becomes 38 mm 50 mm becomes 80 mm 100 mm becomes 160 mm 200 mm becomes 320 mm |
Screen & Viewfinder |
Sony a550 |
Canon EOS Kiss Digital X3 |
| 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 (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 95% | 95% |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.) | 0.87× (0.54× 35mm equiv.) |
| Viewfinder Resolution | N/A | N/A |
Photography features |
Sony a550 |
Canon EOS Kiss Digital X3 |
| Frames per second | 7 fps | 3,4 fps |
| Minimum Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
| Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
| Built-in Flash | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Flash Range | 12 meters | 13 meters |
| 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) | +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Sony a550 |
Canon EOS Kiss Digital X3 |
| 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 Kiss Digital X3 |
| Memory Card |
Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC |
SD/SDHC |
Connectivity |
Sony a550 |
Canon EOS Kiss Digital X3 |
| HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
| Microphone Port | No | No |
| Headphone Port | No | No |
| Wireless | No |
Yes Eye-Fi Connected |
| Remote Control | Yes (Wired or Wireless (Optional)) | Yes (E3 connector, InfraRed) |
| GPS | No | No |
Body & Dimensions |
Sony a550 |
Canon EOS Kiss Digital X3 |
| Enviromentally sealed | No | No |
| Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery Details |
Lithium-Ion NP-FM500H rechargeable battery & charger
|
Lithium-Ion LP-E5 rechargeable battery & charger
|
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 480 shots | 440 shots |
| Width | 137 mm | 129 mm |
| Height | 104 mm | 98 mm |
| Depth | 84 mm | 62 mm |
| Weight | 632 gram | 520 gram |