Canon EOS Rebel T2i / 550D vs Sony SLT Alpha 33 — Which Is Better?
Side by side51 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 SLT Alpha 33
46
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS Rebel T2i / 550D and the Sony SLT Alpha 33 are both DSLRs released in 2010, each with an APS-C CMOS sensor. The lens mount is the first commitment: the Canon takes EF-S lenses and the Sony takes Alpha DT glass, and neither body accepts the other's lenses. The Sony is the lighter body at 500 g against 530 g for the Canon, a 30 g difference. The Canon is the slimmer one front to back, 62 mm deep against the Sony's 85 mm. | ||
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 | 124 x 92 x 85 mm |
| Camera weight | 530 g | 500 g |
| Optics | 41/100 | 51/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Canon is the better pick when you want room to crop a distant subject or print large. Its 18-megapixel sensor holds more pixels than the Sony's 14.2 megapixels, giving extra detail to work with in editing. The Sony is the stronger choice for action and handheld work in dim light. It shoots at 7 frames per second against 3.7 on the Canon, spreads focus across 15 points instead of 9, and has in-body stabilisation, so any DT lens benefits at slower shutter speeds. Its electronic viewfinder shows the exposed image before capture, while the Canon's optical pentamirror gives a direct through-the-lens view. Both cap the shutter at 1/4000 second. | ||
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 | 7 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) | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | 115000009900000 |
| Video | 43/100 | 43/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoYour editing software settles the video choice: the Canon records MOV, while the Sony records MP4 and AVCHD, so a workflow that prefers one format points to that camera. The recording ceiling is shared, Full HD at up to 30 frames per second for family clips and web video. | ||
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 | 30 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 | MP4, AVCHD |
| Features | 44/100 | 41/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Sony's LCD flips out, which makes waist-level macro work and overhead crowd shots easier to frame. The Canon's screen is fixed but sharper for checking focus after a shot, with 1,040,000 dots against 921,000 on the Sony. The two share their core controls: each has a 3-inch LCD, live view, a built-in flash and a hot shoe for an external flash. Neither offers GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, touch control or weather sealing. | ||
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 | 9210001150001500000 |
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 | 16/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe Canon holds the battery-rating advantage for a long day of shooting: 440 shots per charge against 270 for the Sony. The two use different battery types, the LP-E8 and the NP-FW50, so a spare for one will not power the other. Storage differs in format choice. Both use a single card slot, but the Sony reads SD cards alongside Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo, while the Canon takes only SD, SDHC and SDXC. Neither charges over USB. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | LP-E8 | NP-FW50 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
440 shots1505000 | 270 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
| Meta | ||
| Field provenance | — | [object Object] |
| Score validation | ||
Version ⓘThe iteration or release number of a particular lens model. |
— | camera-spec-score-v1-sheet-2026-08-20 |
| Status | — | complete |
| Warnings | — | optics.megapixels=14.2 has a blank points cell in the source sheet and scores zero |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Sony SLT Alpha 33 for children's sports, wildlife bursts and handheld shooting in dim interiors. Its 7 fps drive, 15-point autofocus and in-body stabilisation cover all three, and the flip screen helps at awkward angles.
Choose the Canon EOS Rebel T2i / 550D if your photos lean toward landscapes, portraits and travel. Its 18 megapixels leave more room to crop, the higher-resolution rear screen aids focus checks, and the 440-shot battery rating suits a long day. Lens choice should follow whichever brand's range suits your planned subjects.