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