Sony NEX-7 vs Sony a55

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony NEX-7 and Sony a55. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Sony.

Sony NEX-7 were released 2011 and Sony a55 was released 2010. That is a 1 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony NEX-7 2011
Sony a55 2010

Type of camera

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-7 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Sony a55 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-7 has a 24 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Sony a55 has 16 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony NEX-7 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000
Sony a55 16 MP
16032768 pixels
4912 x 3264

Sony NEX-7 has a 50 % larger resolution than Sony a55. 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-7 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a55. Sony NEX-7 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 16000 while Sony a55 has 100 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Sony NEX-7 100-16000
Sony a55 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 NEX-7
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a55

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony NEX-7 can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds and Sony a55 can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony NEX-7 10
Sony a55 10

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

In this case, both Sony NEX-7 and Sony a55 can shoot movies.

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 a55 weighs 500 gr (equal to 1.1 lb) which is 25% heavier than Sony NEX-7 and its 400 gr (or 0.88 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony NEX-7 400 gr
0.88 lb
Sony a55 500 gr
1.1 lb

Sony NEX-7 vs Sony a55 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony NEX-7 and Sony a55, 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-7
Sony a55
Name Sony NEX-7 Sony a55
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Release Date and Price
Sony NEX-7
Sony a55
Release Year 2011 2010
Release Date 2011-08-24 2010-08-24
MSRP 699 USD 749 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony NEX-7
Sony a55
Camera Type Mirrorless SLT
Sensor
Sony NEX-7
Sony a55
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 6000 x 4000 pixels 4912 x 3264 pixels
Megapixels 24 MP 16 MP
Image Processor Bionz Bionz
Image
Sony NEX-7
Sony a55
ISO Range 100 - 16000 100 - 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-7
Sony a55
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
LiveView
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 25 15
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-7
Sony a55
Articulated LCD Tilting Fully articulated
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 921000 921000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A N/A
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 1.09× (0.73× 35mm equiv.) 1.1× (0.73× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony NEX-7
Sony a55
Frames per second 10 fps 10 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 10 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-7
Sony a55
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
AVCHD
MPEG4
H.264
AVCHD
Video resolution 1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Sony NEX-7
Sony a55
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony NEX-7
Sony a55
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control Yes (InfraRed (optional)) Yes (Optional)
GPS No Yes
Built-in
Body & Dimensions
Sony NEX-7
Sony a55
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion NP-FW50 rechargeable battery & charger
Rechargeable NP-FW50 battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 430 shots 380 shots
Width 120 mm 124 mm
Height 67 mm 92 mm
Depth 43 mm 85 mm
Weight 400 gram 500 gram