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Overview
In this comparison, we will evaluate the Canon PowerShot SD4500 IS and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.
Both cameras were introduced in July 2011. Let us first list highlights of the models.
Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.
Pros and Cons
In this section we present pros and cons of Canon PowerShot SD4500 IS and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550.
PROS
Canon PowerShot SD4500 IS
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
Video Capture
3,200 Highest Native ISO
Live View Autofocus
Image Stabilization
Built-in Flash
HDMI Output
Light - 190 g (0.42 lb / 6.70 oz)
Orientation Sensor
Video Capture
80 Lowest Native ISO
3,200 Highest Native ISO
Live View Autofocus
Image Stabilization
Built-in Flash
HDMI Output
Light - 110 g (0.24 lb / 3.88 oz)
CONS
Canon PowerShot SD4500 IS
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
Small Sensor
Low Resolution Sensor - 10 Megapixel
Timelapse Recording
0 Cross-type Focus Points
No Face Detection
Fixed Screen
Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
No Viewfinder
Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.7 fps
No External Flash Connectivity
Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
No Microphone Input
No Headphone Output
No Built-in GPS
No Built-In Wi-Fi
No Built-In Bluetooth
No Environmental Sealing
Small Sensor
Low Resolution Sensor - 14 Megapixel
Timelapse Recording
9 Focus Points
0 Cross-type Focus Points
No Face Detection
Fixed Screen
Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
No Viewfinder
Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/1600 sec
Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.1 fps
No External Flash Connectivity
Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
No Microphone Input
No Headphone Output
No Built-in GPS
No Built-In Wi-Fi
No Built-In Bluetooth
No Environmental Sealing
And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:
AVERAGE
Canon PowerShot SD4500 IS
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
100 Lowest Native ISO
Screen Size - 3.0"
Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.
STRENGTHS
Canon PowerShot SD4500 IS
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
Video Capture
High Native ISO
3,200
3,200
Live View Autofocus
Image Stabilization
Built-in Flash
HDMI Output
Type C
Light
190 g (0.42 lb / 6.70 oz)
110 g (0.24 lb / 3.88 oz)
WEAKNESSES
Canon PowerShot SD4500 IS
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
Small Sensor
1/2.3-inch
1/2.3-inch
Low Resolution Sensor
10 Megapixel
14 Megapixel
Timelapse Recording
Few Cross-type Focus Points
0
0
No Face Detection
Screen Type
Fixed
Fixed
Low Resolution Screen
230k dot
230k dot
No Viewfinder
Low Max Continuous Shooting
3.7 fps
1.1 fps
No External Flash Connectivity
Low Video Resolution
1920 x 1080
1280 x 720
No Microphone Input
No Headphone Output
No Built-in GPS
No Built-In Wi-Fi
Eye-Fi Connection possible
No Built-In Bluetooth
No Environmental Sealing
Screen
Screen
Canon PowerShot SD4500 IS and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 have 3.0" Fixed screens with 230k dot resolution.
Sensor
Canon PowerShot SD4500 IS features a 10 megapixel 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor with dimensions of 6.17 x 4.55 mm and a total area of 28.1 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 3,200. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 features a 14 megapixel 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor with dimensions of 6.17 x 4.55 mm and a total area of 20.7 mm2. Its native ISO range is 80 - 3,200.
Canon PowerShot SD4500 IS has BSI-CMOS sensor, short for Backside Illuminated Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor sensor. In traditional CMOS sensors, the wiring and circuitry are located on the front side of the sensor, which can block some of the incoming light. BSI technology flips this design by placing the photosensitive elements (pixels) on the backside of the sensor, allowing more light to reach the pixels. This significantly enhances light sensitivity and improves low-light performance. BSI-CMOS sensors are particularly effective in low-light conditions, as they can capture more light, resulting in brighter and less noisy images. This makes them well-suited for indoor and night photography. BSI-CMOS sensors deliver a higher SNR and reduced cross-talk.
Photography Features
Canon PowerShot SD4500 IS is equipped with DIGIC 4 processor and can take pictures up to 3648 x 2736 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3648 x 2048, 2816 x 2112, 2272 x 1704, 1600 x 1200, 640 x 480, 320 x 240 with 4:3, 16:9 aspect ratios. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 is equipped with BIONZ processor and can take pictures up to 4320 x 3240 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4320 x 2432, 3648 x 2736, 2592 x 1944, 1920 x 1080 with 4:3, 16:9 aspect ratios.
Image Stabilization
The cameras have a built-in [y] image stabilization.
Connectivity, Battery and Storage
USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs
Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. Canon PowerShot SD4500 IS has an HDMI and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 has a Type C HDMI connector for video signal output.
Battery
Canon PowerShot SD4500 IS comes with NB-9L battery pack and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 comes with NP-BN1 battery pack.
External Storage Slots
Canon PowerShot SD4500 IS has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/MMCplus HC card slot. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo/Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo card slot.
Other Features
Shutter
Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Canon PowerShot SD4500 IS, and up to 1/1600 sec on Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550. Canon PowerShot SD4500 IS can shoot continuously up to 3.7 fps. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 can shoot continuously up to 1.1 fps.
Flash
Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 6.00 m on Canon PowerShot SD4500 IS and 3.80 m on Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550..
Physical Parameters
Canon PowerShot SD4500 IS body has dimensions of 101 x 59 x 22 mm (3.98 x 2.32 x 0.87") and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 body has dimensions of 94 x 56 x 19 mm (3.7 x 2.2 x 0.75"). Canon PowerShot SD4500 IS weighs 190 g (0.42 lb / 6.70 oz) and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 weighs 110 g (0.24 lb / 3.88 oz).
Canon PowerShot SD4500 IS
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
101 mm
59 mm
94 mm
56 mm
Size comparisons of Canon PowerShot SD4500 IS and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
Canon PowerShot SD4500 IS and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 for Different Types of Photography
We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.
Landscape Photography
Canon PowerShot SD4500 IS
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
POOR
46
Small Sensor
Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
No Built-in GPS
No Environmental Sealing
POOR
48
Small Sensor
Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
No Built-in GPS
No Environmental Sealing
Sports Photography
Canon PowerShot SD4500 IS
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
AVERAGE
55
3,200 Highest Native ISO
0 Cross-type Focus Points
No Face Detection
Image Stabilization
Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
No Viewfinder
Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.7 fps
Orientation Sensor
POOR
47
3,200 Highest Native ISO
9 Focus Points
0 Cross-type Focus Points
No Face Detection
Image Stabilization
Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
No Viewfinder
Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.1 fps
Wildlife Photography
Canon PowerShot SD4500 IS
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
AVERAGE
60
3,200 Highest Native ISO
0 Cross-type Focus Points
Image Stabilization
Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
No Viewfinder
Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.7 fps
No Environmental Sealing
Orientation Sensor
AVERAGE
56
3,200 Highest Native ISO
9 Focus Points
0 Cross-type Focus Points
Image Stabilization
Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
No Viewfinder
Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.1 fps
No Environmental Sealing
Portrait Photography
Canon PowerShot SD4500 IS
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
AVERAGE
61
Small Sensor
0 Cross-type Focus Points
No Face Detection
Image Stabilization
Screen Size - 3.0"
Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
No External Flash Connectivity
Orientation Sensor
AVERAGE
56
Small Sensor
9 Focus Points
0 Cross-type Focus Points
No Face Detection
Image Stabilization
Screen Size - 3.0"
Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
No External Flash Connectivity
Street Photography
Canon PowerShot SD4500 IS
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
GOOD
83
Small Sensor
0 Cross-type Focus Points
Image Stabilization
Fixed Screen
Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
No Viewfinder
No Built-in GPS
No Environmental Sealing
Light - 190 g (0.42 lb / 6.70 oz)
GOOD
83
Small Sensor
9 Focus Points
0 Cross-type Focus Points
Image Stabilization
Fixed Screen
Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
No Viewfinder
No Built-in GPS
No Environmental Sealing
Light - 110 g (0.24 lb / 3.88 oz)
Travel Photography
Canon PowerShot SD4500 IS
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
EXCELLENT
87
Image Stabilization
Fixed Screen
Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
No Built-in GPS
No Environmental Sealing
Light - 190 g (0.42 lb / 6.70 oz)
EXCELLENT
88
Image Stabilization
Fixed Screen
Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
No Built-in GPS
No Environmental Sealing
Light - 110 g (0.24 lb / 3.88 oz)
Evaluations
We evaluate Canon PowerShot SD4500 IS and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 and give them scores of 56 and 51 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.
Canon PowerShot SD4500 IS
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
OVERALL
56
OVERALL
51
Sensor
Canon PowerShot SD4500 IS
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
AVERAGE
64
Small Sensor
Low Resolution Sensor - 10 Megapixel
100 Lowest Native ISO
3,200 Highest Native ISO
POOR
47
Small Sensor
Low Resolution Sensor - 14 Megapixel
80 Lowest Native ISO
3,200 Highest Native ISO
Photo
Canon PowerShot SD4500 IS
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
AVERAGE
60
Timelapse Recording
Image Stabilization
Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.7 fps
No External Flash Connectivity
AVERAGE
59
Timelapse Recording
Image Stabilization
Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/1600 sec
Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.1 fps
No External Flash Connectivity
Video
Canon PowerShot SD4500 IS
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
POOR
46
Image Stabilization
Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
POOR
43
Image Stabilization
Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
Focusing
Canon PowerShot SD4500 IS
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
AVERAGE
55
0 Cross-type Focus Points
No Face Detection
Live View Autofocus
AVERAGE
55
9 Focus Points
0 Cross-type Focus Points
No Face Detection
Live View Autofocus
Screen and Viewfinder
Canon PowerShot SD4500 IS
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
POOR
52
Fixed Screen
Screen Size - 3.0"
Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
No Viewfinder
POOR
52
Fixed Screen
Screen Size - 3.0"
Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
No Viewfinder
Connectivity
Canon PowerShot SD4500 IS
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
POOR
52
HDMI Output
No Microphone Input
No Headphone Output
No Built-in GPS
No Built-In Wi-Fi
No Built-In Bluetooth
AVERAGE
55
HDMI Output
No Microphone Input
No Headphone Output
No Built-in GPS
No Built-In Wi-Fi
No Built-In Bluetooth
Battery, Storage and Physical
Canon PowerShot SD4500 IS
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
POOR
54
No Environmental Sealing
Light - 190 g (0.42 lb / 6.70 oz)
POOR
41
No Environmental Sealing
Light - 110 g (0.24 lb / 3.88 oz)
For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:
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