Sony FX30 vs Canon EOS 550D

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony FX30 and Canon EOS 550D. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony FX30 is manufacturered by Sony but Canon EOS 550D is from Canon. Both Sony and Canon are well known brands though.

Sony FX30 were released 2022 and Canon EOS 550D was released 2010. That is a 12 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony FX30 2022
Canon EOS 550D 2010

Type of camera

Sony FX30 is a Mirrorless camera while Canon EOS 550D is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony FX30 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Canon EOS 550D 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 FX30 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Canon EOS 550D 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 FX30 has a 26 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 550D has 18,7 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony FX30 26 MP
25560576 pixels
6192 x 4128
Canon EOS 550D 18,7 MP
17915904 pixels
5184 x 3456

Sony FX30 has a 43 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 550D. 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

Sony FX30 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 550D. Sony FX30 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 32000 while Canon EOS 550D has 100 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Sony FX30 100-32000
Canon EOS 550D 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 FX30
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 550D

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony FX30 can shoot up to 1 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 550D can shoot up to 3,7 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony FX30 1
Canon EOS 550D 3,7

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 550D. Sadly, the Sony FX30 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 FX30 weighs 646 gr (equal to 1.42 lb) which is 27% heavier than Canon EOS 550D and its 510 gr (or 1.12 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony FX30 646 gr
1.42 lb
Canon EOS 550D 510 gr
1.12 lb

Sony FX30 vs Canon EOS 550D Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony FX30 and Canon EOS 550D, 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 FX30
Canon EOS 550D
Name Sony FX30 Canon EOS 550D
Manufacturer Sony Canon
Release Date and Price
Sony FX30
Canon EOS 550D
Release Year 2022 2010
Release Date 2022-09-28 2010-02-08
MSRP 1799 USD 899 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony FX30
Canon EOS 550D
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Sony FX30
Canon EOS 550D
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm)
Sensor Type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Resolution 6192 x 4128 pixels 5184 x 3456 pixels
Megapixels 26 MP 18,7 MP
Image Processor BIONZ XR DIGIC 4
Image
Sony FX30
Canon EOS 550D
ISO Range 100 - 32000 100 - 12800
White Balance Presets 8 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift (5-axis))
No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 5.5 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony FX30
Canon EOS 550D
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 759 9
Lens Mount Sony E

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 FX30
Canon EOS 550D
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots N/A 1040000
Touch screen Yes No
Screen type N/A TFT color liquid-crystal LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type No Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.87× (0.54× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution 0 N/A
Photography features
Sony FX30
Canon EOS 550D
Frames per second 1 fps 3,7 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash No Yes
Built-in Flash Range N/A 13 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Partial
Average
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Exposure Compensation N/A +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony FX30
Canon EOS 550D
Video recording No Yes
Video format N/A H.264
Video resolution N/A 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Sony FX30
Canon EOS 550D
Memory Card Compact Flash Express
SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony FX30
Canon EOS 550D
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes No
Headphone Port Yes No
Wireless Yes
Built-in (IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac)
Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control Supported (no further information) Yes (E3 connector, InfraRed)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony FX30
Canon EOS 550D
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details NP-FZ100
Lithium-Ion LP-E8 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 570 shots N/A
Width 78 mm 129 mm
Height 130 mm 98 mm
Depth 85 mm 62 mm
Weight 646 gram 510 gram