Sony NEX-5 vs Sony a550

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony NEX-5 and Sony a550. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Sony.

Sony NEX-5 were released 2010 and Sony a550 was released 2009. That is a 1 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony NEX-5 2010
Sony a550 2009

Type of camera

Sony NEX-5 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-5 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

Both these cameras have the exact same resolution. Sony NEX-5 has a 14 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-5 14 MP
14033152 pixels
4592 x 3056
Sony a550 14 MP
14033152 pixels
4592 x 3056

ISO range

Both of these cameras offer the exact same ISO range. They both have 200 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Sony NEX-5 200-12800
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-5
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-5 can shoot up to 7 pictures per seconds and Sony a550 can shoot up to 7 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony NEX-5 7
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-5. 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 120% heavier than Sony NEX-5 and its 287 gr (or 0.63 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony NEX-5 287 gr
0.63 lb
Sony a550 632 gr
1.39 lb

Sony NEX-5 vs Sony a550 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony NEX-5 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-5
Sony a550
Name Sony NEX-5 Sony a550
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Release Date and Price
Sony NEX-5
Sony a550
Release Year 2010 2009
Release Date 2010-05-11 2009-08-27
MSRP 649 USD 949 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony NEX-5
Sony a550
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Sony NEX-5
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 4592 x 3056 pixels 4592 x 3056 pixels
Megapixels 14 MP 14 MP
Image Processor Bionz Bionz
Image
Sony NEX-5
Sony a550
ISO Range 200 - 12800 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-5
Sony a550
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 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-5
Sony a550
Articulated LCD Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 920000 921600
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A N/A
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type No Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony NEX-5
Sony a550
Frames per second 7 fps 7 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash No Yes
Built-in Flash Range N/A 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 +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony NEX-5
Sony a550
Video recording Yes No
Video format 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-5
Sony a550
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony NEX-5
Sony a550
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No No
Remote Control Yes (InfraRed (optional)) Yes (Wired or Wireless (Optional))
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony NEX-5
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) 330 shots 480 shots
Width 111 mm 137 mm
Height 59 mm 104 mm
Depth 38 mm 84 mm
Weight 287 gram 632 gram