Sony a550 vs Canon EOS 40D

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a550 and Canon EOS 40D. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a550 is manufacturered by Sony but Canon EOS 40D is from Canon. Both Sony and Canon are well known brands though.

Sony a550 were released 2009 and Canon EOS 40D was released 2007. That is a 2 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a550 2009
Canon EOS 40D 2007

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 Canon EOS 40D 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 a550 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Canon EOS 40D 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 a550 has a 14 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 40D has 10,1 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
Canon EOS 40D 10,1 MP
10077696 pixels
3888 x 2592

Sony a550 has a 39 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 40D. 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 a550 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 40D. Sony a550 has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 12800 while Canon EOS 40D has 100 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a550 200-12800
Canon EOS 40D 100-3200

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 Canon EOS 40D

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 Canon EOS 40D can shoot up to 6,5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a550 7
Canon EOS 40D 6,5

Ability to record movies

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

Though, neither Sony a550 or Canon EOS 40D can shoot movies so if that is a functionality that you are really looking for you should look elsewhere.

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.

Canon EOS 40D weighs 822 gr (equal to 1.81 lb) which is 30% heavier than Sony a550 and its 632 gr (or 1.39 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a550 632 gr
1.39 lb
Canon EOS 40D 822 gr
1.81 lb

Sony a550 vs Canon EOS 40D Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a550 and Canon EOS 40D, 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
Canon EOS 40D
Name Sony a550 Canon EOS 40D
Manufacturer Sony Canon
Release Date and Price
Sony a550
Canon EOS 40D
Release Year 2009 2007
Release Date 2009-08-27 2007-08-20
MSRP 949 USD 1299 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a550
Canon EOS 40D
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Sony a550
Canon EOS 40D
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4592 x 3056 pixels 3888 x 2592 pixels
Megapixels 14 MP 10,1 MP
Image Processor Bionz DIGIC 3
Image
Sony a550
Canon EOS 40D
ISO Range 200 - 12800 100 - 3200
White Balance Presets 6 6
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
Canon EOS 40D
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Focus Points 9 9
Lens Mount Sony A

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 a550
Canon EOS 40D
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 921600 230000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A N/A
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.) 0.95× (0.59× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a550
Canon EOS 40D
Frames per second 7 fps 6,5 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
Partial
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a550
Canon EOS 40D
Video recording No No
Video format N/A N/A
Video resolution N/A N/A
Built-in Microphone No No
Built-in Speakers No No
Storage
Sony a550
Canon EOS 40D
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Sony a550
Canon EOS 40D
HDMI Output Yes No
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No No
Remote Control Yes (Wired or Wireless (Optional)) Yes (N3 connector)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a550
Canon EOS 40D
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion NP-FM500H rechargeable battery & charger
Litium-Ion (Li-Ion) BP-511
Battery Life (CIPA) 480 shots 800 shots
Width 137 mm 146 mm
Height 104 mm 108 mm
Depth 84 mm 74 mm
Weight 632 gram 822 gram