Sony NEX-6 vs Sony a550
This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony NEX-6 and Sony a550. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
These cameras are both manufactured by Sony.
Sony NEX-6 were released 2012 and Sony a550 was released 2009. That is a 3 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Sony NEX-6 | 2012 |
Sony a550 | 2009 |
Type of camera
Sony NEX-6 is a Mirrorless camera while Sony a550 is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.
Sensors / crop factor
Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Sony APS-C") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Neither of the cameras has a Full frame sensor which means that you will get a "crop factor" where the camera's sensor size affect the focal length with a multiplier.
Camera | Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 ** |
Sony NEX-6 | 75 mm Sony APS-C sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5 |
Sony a550 | 75 mm Sony APS-C sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5 |
** 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)
Resolution
Sony NEX-6 has a 16 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Sony a550 has 14 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:
Camera | Megapixels |
Sony NEX-6 |
16 MP
16032768 pixels 4912 x 3264 |
Sony a550 |
14 MP
14033152 pixels 4592 x 3056 |
Sony NEX-6 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
Sony NEX-6 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a550. Sony NEX-6 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Sony a550 has 200 to 12800.
Camera | ISO Range |
Sony NEX-6 | 100-25600 |
Sony a550 | 200-12800 |
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 NEX-6
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a550
Pictures per second
Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony NEX-6 can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds and Sony a550 can shoot up to 7 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Sony NEX-6 | 10 |
Sony a550 | 7 |
Ability to record movies
It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.
When comparing these two cameras there is only one of them that can shoot movies and that is Sony NEX-6. Unfortunately Sony a550 does not support recording movies and movie clips.
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 83% heavier than Sony NEX-6 and its 345 gr (or 0.76 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Sony NEX-6 | 345 gr 0.76 lb |
Sony a550 | 632 gr 1.39 lb |
Sony NEX-6 vs Sony a550 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony NEX-6 and Sony a550, 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 NEX-6 |
Sony a550 |
Name | Sony NEX-6 | Sony a550 |
Manufacturer | Sony | Sony |
Release Date and Price |
Sony NEX-6 |
Sony a550 |
Release Year | 2012 | 2009 |
Release Date | 2012-09-12 | 2009-08-27 |
MSRP | 749 USD | 949 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Sony NEX-6 |
Sony a550 |
Camera Type | Mirrorless | DSLR |
Sensor |
Sony NEX-6 |
Sony a550 |
Sensor Size | APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) | APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) |
Sensor Type | CMOS | CMOS |
Resolution | 4912 x 3264 pixels | 4592 x 3056 pixels |
Megapixels | 16 MP | 14 MP |
Image Processor | Bionz | Bionz |
Image |
Sony NEX-6 |
Sony a550 |
ISO Range | 100 - 25600 | 200 - 12800 |
White Balance Presets | 6 | 6 |
Custom White Balance | Yes | Yes |
Image Stabilization | No |
Yes (Sensor-Shift) |
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating | 0 stops | 0 stops |
Uncompressed format | RAW | RAW |
Optics & Focus |
Sony NEX-6 |
Sony a550 |
Autofocus Motor | Yes | Yes |
Autofocus |
Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView |
Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView |
Focus Points | 99 | 9 |
Lens Mount |
Sony E See Compatible Lenses |
Sony A 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 (1.5x) 1.5x multiplier Example: 24 mm becomes 36 mm 50 mm becomes 75 mm 100 mm becomes 150 mm 200 mm becomes 300 mm |
Screen & Viewfinder |
Sony NEX-6 |
Sony a550 |
Articulated LCD | Tilting | Tilting |
Screen size | 3” | 3” |
Screen dots | 921000 | 921600 |
Touch screen | No | No |
Screen type | Xtra Fine LCD with Tilt Up 90° and Down 45° | N/A |
Live view | Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder Type | Electronic | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 95% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 1.09× (0.73× 35mm equiv.) | 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.) |
Viewfinder Resolution | N/A | N/A |
Photography features |
Sony NEX-6 |
Sony a550 |
Frames per second | 10 fps | 7 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 | 6 meters | 12 meters |
External Flash | Yes | Yes |
Self-Timer | Yes | Yes |
Time-lapse | No | No |
Metering modes |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
Exposure Compensation | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV steps) | +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Sony NEX-6 |
Sony a550 |
Video recording | Yes | No |
Video format |
MPEG4 AVCHD |
N/A |
Video resolution |
1440 x 1080 1920 x 1080 |
N/A |
Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
Built-in Speakers | Yes | No |
Storage |
Sony NEX-6 |
Sony a550 |
Memory Card |
Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC |
Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC |
Connectivity |
Sony NEX-6 |
Sony a550 |
HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
Microphone Port | No | No |
Headphone Port | No | No |
Wireless |
Yes Built-in |
No |
Remote Control | Yes (InfraRed (optional)) | Yes (Wired or Wireless (Optional)) |
GPS | No | No |
Body & Dimensions |
Sony NEX-6 |
Sony a550 |
Enviromentally sealed | No | No |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
Lithium-Ion NP-FW50 rechargeable battery & charger
|
Lithium-Ion NP-FM500H rechargeable battery & charger
|
Battery Life (CIPA) | 360 shots | 480 shots |
Width | 120 mm | 137 mm |
Height | 67 mm | 104 mm |
Depth | 43 mm | 84 mm |
Weight | 345 gram | 632 gram |