Canon EOS Rebel T2i / 550D vs Sony Alpha 560 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · DSLR · 18 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Canon EOS Rebel T2i / 550D
40
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 T2i / 550D and the Sony Alpha 560 are APS-C DSLRs released in 2010, and the lens system you build should steer the choice. The Canon takes Canon EF-S lenses, the Sony takes Sony Alpha DT lenses, and neither mount fits the other's body. The Canon is the smaller, lighter body at 129 x 98 x 62 mm and 530 g, against the Sony's 137 x 104 x 84 mm and 599 g. That favours the Canon for a compact kit. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2010 | 2010 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
February 26, 2010 | August 24, 2010 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 129 x 98 x 62 mm | 137 x 104 x 84 mm |
| Camera weight | 530 g | 599 g |
| Optics | 41/100 | 50/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Rebel T2i / 550D is the stronger choice for heavy cropping, with 18 MP against the Sony's 14.2 MP from the same APS-C CMOS format. The extra pixels leave more room to crop a distant bird or stage performance. For handheld work in dim interiors, the Alpha 560 is the better pick: in-body sensor-shift stabilisation steadies every lens you mount, while the Canon relies on stabilised lenses alone. Its 15 autofocus points and 5 fps also suit tracking children, pets or team sports better than the Canon's 9 points and 3.7 fps. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
18 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. |
5184 x 3456 | 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. |
3.7 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 ComparisonVideoFor slow motion, the Alpha 560 is the clear choice: its top video frame rate of 60 fps doubles the Canon's 30, so fast action plays back smoothly at half speed. Both share the same Full HD maximum recording resolution, so neither offers beyond-1080 output. The Sony records in AVCHD or MP4 and the Canon in MOV, worth checking against your editing software. Neither body has a built-in intervalometer for timelapse work. | ||
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. |
1920 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 | 44/100 | 41/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Alpha 560's tilting 3-inch LCD lets you frame at ground level or shoot overhead in a crowd and still see the screen, which the Canon's fixed panel cannot do. The Canon's screen is the finer one for checking focus, with 1,040,000 dots against 921,600. Neither camera offers GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, a touch screen or weather sealing, so location tagging and wireless transfer are unavailable on both. Each has a built-in flash for fill light and accepts external flash units. | ||
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. |
10400001150001500000 | 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 rates 550 shots per charge against 440 for the Rebel T2i / 550D under their respective test conditions. That higher rating suits a long day of shooting. Each uses its own battery, the NP-FM500H and the LP-E8, and neither charges over USB. Both have a single card slot, so there is no in-camera backup for a wedding or portrait session. The Canon takes SD, SDHC and SDXC cards, and the Sony accepts those plus Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | LP-E8 | 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
Choose the Canon EOS Rebel T2i / 550D for landscapes and detail-heavy stills, where its 18 MP files crop more freely than the Sony's 14.2 MP and its finer screen confirms critical focus.
Choose the Sony Alpha 560 for handheld and motion work: sensor-shift stabilisation steadies every lens for evening interiors without a tripod, and 5 fps with 15 AF points tracks moving subjects better. The tilting screen and 60 fps video extend that to filming events. If you already own Canon EF-S or Sony Alpha DT lenses, stay in your mount.