Canon EOS Rebel T1i / 500D vs Sony Alpha 560 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · DSLR · 15.1 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Canon EOS Rebel T1i / 500D
43
SCORE
|
Sony · DSLR · 14.2 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony Alpha 560
46
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS Rebel T1i / 500D and the Sony Alpha 560 are APS-C CMOS DSLRs for enthusiast stills shooting, and your lens collection will steer the brand choice, since the Canon takes EF-S glass and the Sony Alpha DT lenses. Announced in March 2009 and August 2010, both pair an optical pentamirror viewfinder with a 3-inch LCD. The Sony is the larger, heavier body at 599 g and 137 x 104 x 84 mm, against the Canon's 520 g and 129 x 98 x 62 mm. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2009 | 2010 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
March 25, 2009 | August 24, 2010 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 129 x 98 x 62 mm | 137 x 104 x 84 mm |
| Camera weight | 520 g | 599 g |
| Optics | 45/100 | 50/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Sony Alpha 560 is the stronger choice for handheld shooting in dim light and for moving subjects. It offers in-body stabilisation with any mounted lens, spreads 15 autofocus points against Canon's 9 for off-centre subjects, and bursts at 5 fps versus 3.4 fps, useful for catching a fleeting expression at a children's party. Resolution gives the T1i a small edge for cropping a distant bird, at 15.1 MP against 14.2 MP. The Sony's standard ISO range reaches 12800 against Canon's 6400, leaving more setting room indoors before the expanded range comes into play. Both start at 100 ISO and offer the same 1/4000 second maximum shutter speed. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
15.1 MP050 | 14.2 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4752 x 3168 | 4592 x 3056 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
14.9 x 22.3 | 15.6 x 23.4 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
3.4 fps045 | 5 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Canon EF-S | Sony Alpha DT |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Digic 4 | Bionz |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
64003003280000 | 128003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
128003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
90300 | 150300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
No |  Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | 43/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoSlowing fast action is where the Alpha 560 earns its video lead: its maximum frame rate of 60 fps is twice the T1i's 30. Footage from the faster rate placed on a 30 fps timeline plays at half speed, ideal for a football match or dance routine. Both cameras top out at the same Full HD resolution, and neither offers built-in timelapse. The Sony records AVCHD or MP4 and the Canon MOV, which may matter for your editing software. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Full HD | Full HD |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
1922 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
30 fps | 60 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MOV | AVCHD, MP4 |
| Features | 41/100 | 41/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Alpha 560's flip screen is the practical control difference, letting you frame from low angles such as ground-level macro work, where the T1i's fixed screen keeps composition at eye level. The screens are otherwise close: both are 3-inch non-touch LCDs, with 921,600 dots on the Sony against 920,000 on the Canon. A built-in flash, an external-flash shoe and live view are shared, and neither body offers GPS, weather sealing, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
9200001150001500000 | 9216001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
No |  Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 24/100 | 29/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe Alpha 560's battery is rated for 550 shots against 440 for the T1i under their test conditions. The 560 also accepts SD, SDHC, SDXC and Memory Stick Pro Duo or Pro-HG Duo cards, while the T1i supports SD and SDHC only, so high-capacity SDXC media suits the Sony. Each body has a single card slot and neither charges over USB, so plan on a spare battery with either one. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | LP-E5 | NP-FM500H |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
440 shots1505000 | 550 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
For handheld low-light stills, action and video, the Sony Alpha 560 is the better buy: in-body stabilisation, 15 autofocus points, 5 fps and a 60 fps maximum video frame rate serve those situations directly, and its flip screen helps at awkward angles. Choose the Canon EOS Rebel T1i / 500D if you already own EF-S lenses or want its 15.1 MP for heavy cropping. The mounts are incompatible, so existing glass should lead the decision.