Sony a550 vs Nikon D800e
This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a550 and Nikon D800e. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Sony a550 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D800e is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.
Sony a550 were released 2009 and Nikon D800e was released 2012. That is a 3 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Sony a550 | 2009 |
Nikon D800e | 2012 |
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 Nikon D800e has a "Nikon FX"-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 |
Nikon D800e | 50 mm Full-frame sensor No crop factor/focal length multiplier |
** 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 (Nikon)
Resolution
Sony a550 has a 14 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D800e has 36,3 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 |
Nikon D800e |
36,3 MP
36152320 pixels 7360 x 4912 |
Nikon D800e has a 158 % 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
Nikon D800e has a larger ISO-range than Sony a550. Nikon D800e has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Sony a550 has 200 to 12800.
Camera | ISO Range |
Sony a550 | 200-12800 |
Nikon D800e | 100-25600 |
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 Nikon D800e
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 Nikon D800e can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Sony a550 | 7 |
Nikon D800e | 6 |
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 Nikon D800e. 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.
Nikon D800e weighs 900 gr (equal to 1.98 lb) which is 42% heavier than Sony a550 and its 632 gr (or 1.39 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Sony a550 | 632 gr 1.39 lb |
Nikon D800e | 900 gr 1.98 lb |
Sony a550 vs Nikon D800e Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a550 and Nikon D800e, 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 |
Nikon D800e |
Name | Sony a550 | Nikon D800e |
Manufacturer | Sony | Nikon |
Release Date and Price |
Sony a550 |
Nikon D800e |
Release Year | 2009 | 2012 |
Release Date | 2009-08-27 | 2012-02-07 |
MSRP | 949 USD | 3299 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Sony a550 |
Nikon D800e |
Camera Type | DSLR | DSLR |
Sensor |
Sony a550 |
Nikon D800e |
Sensor Size | APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) |
Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm) Also known as "FX" |
Sensor Type | CMOS | CMOS |
Resolution | 4592 x 3056 pixels | 7360 x 4912 pixels |
Megapixels | 14 MP | 36,3 MP |
Image Processor | Bionz | EXPEED 3 |
Image |
Sony a550 |
Nikon D800e |
ISO Range | 200 - 12800 | 100 - 25600 |
White Balance Presets | 6 | 12 |
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 |
Nikon D800e |
Autofocus Motor | Yes | Yes |
Autofocus |
Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView |
Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView |
Focus Points | 9 | 51 |
Lens Mount |
Sony A See Compatible Lenses |
Nikon F 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 |
FX (Full frame) No multiplier Example: 24 mm remains 24 mm 50 mm remains 50 mm 100 mm remains 100 mm 200 mm remains 200 mm |
Screen & Viewfinder |
Sony a550 |
Nikon D800e |
Articulated LCD | Tilting | Fixed |
Screen size | 3” | 3,2” |
Screen dots | 921600 | 921000 |
Touch screen | No | No |
Screen type | N/A | TFT Color LCD with 170 degrees wide-viewing angle |
Live view | Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder Type | Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder Coverage | 95% | 100% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.) | 0.7× |
Viewfinder Resolution | N/A | N/A |
Photography features |
Sony a550 |
Nikon D800e |
Frames per second | 7 fps | 6 fps |
Minimum Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/8000 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 | Yes |
Metering modes |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
Multi Center Weighted Spot Average |
Exposure Compensation | +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps) | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Sony a550 |
Nikon D800e |
Video recording | No | Yes |
Video format | N/A |
MPEG4 H.264 |
Video resolution | N/A |
1280 x 720 1920 x 1080 |
Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
Built-in Speakers | No | Yes |
Storage |
Sony a550 |
Nikon D800e |
Memory Card |
Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC |
Compact Flash SD/SDHC |
Connectivity |
Sony a550 |
Nikon D800e |
HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
Microphone Port | No | No |
Headphone Port | No | No |
Wireless | No | No |
Remote Control | Yes (Wired or Wireless (Optional)) | Yes (Optional, wired or wireless) |
GPS | No |
Yes Optional with GP-1 |
Body & Dimensions |
Sony a550 |
Nikon D800e |
Enviromentally sealed | No | Yes |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
Lithium-Ion NP-FM500H rechargeable battery & charger
|
Lithium-Ion EN-EL15 rechargeable battery & charger
|
Battery Life (CIPA) | 480 shots | 900 shots |
Width | 137 mm | 146 mm |
Height | 104 mm | 123 mm |
Depth | 84 mm | 82 mm |
Weight | 632 gram | 900 gram |