Canon EOS Rebel T3i / 600D vs Sony Alpha 560 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · DSLR · 18 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Canon EOS Rebel T3i / 600D
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 T3i / 600D and the Sony Alpha 560 are both DSLRs, released in 2011 and 2010 respectively. The Canon measures 133 x 100 x 80 mm and weighs 570 g, and the Sony is slightly larger at 137 x 104 x 84 mm and 599 g. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2011 | 2010 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
February 7, 2011 | August 24, 2010 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 133 x 100 x 80 mm | 137 x 104 x 84 mm |
| Camera weight | 570 g | 599 g |
| Optics | 40/100 | 50/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsFor heavy cropping the T3i is the stronger pick: its 18 megapixel sensor has about 21 percent more pixels than the Alpha 560's 14.2. A distant bird can fill less of the frame and still survive a crop. Both use APS-C CMOS sensors, so any lens frames the scene the same way. The mounts differ: Canon EF-S versus Sony Alpha DT. For handheld work the Alpha 560 is better equipped: its in-body stabilisation steadies every Alpha DT lens you mount, while the T3i has none. The Sony also brings 15 autofocus points and 5 fps shooting against 9 points and 3.7 fps, and its 12800 ISO standard ceiling doubles the Canon's 6400. | ||
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 ComparisonVideoThe Alpha 560 is the better camera for motion-heavy footage, and both record Full HD video. The Sony's maximum video frame rate is 60 fps, double the T3i's 30 fps, for smoother movement and half-speed slow-motion edits of sports or splashing water. The file formats differ, and that shapes your editing workflow. The Sony records in AVCHD or MP4, while the Canon records in MOV, so confirm which format your editor handles before committing to one body. | ||
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 ComparisonFeaturesBoth give you the same framing aids: a 3-inch LCD that flips out for waist-level or overhead angles, live view, a built-in flash and support for external flash units. The Canon's screen offers 1,040,000 dots against the Sony's 921,600, a finer playback view for checking focus. Connectivity is equally simple on both, with no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or GPS. Transferring files means a card reader, and geotagging a travel album means recording locations separately. | ||
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. |
 Yes | 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 holds the practical advantage for long days out: its NP-FM500H battery is rated for 550 shots, against 440 shots from the Canon's LP-E8, a 25 percent longer rating. Neither camera charges its battery over USB, so spare batteries matter for both. Card support favours the Sony slightly. Both take SD, SDHC and SDXC cards in a single slot, and the Sony also accepts Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo media, useful if you already own Sony cards. | ||
| 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 T3i if you print large or crop hard: its 18 megapixel sensor gives more room to work with. Choose the Alpha 560 if you shoot handheld in dim interiors, chase moving subjects, or film fast action. Its in-body stabilisation, 5 fps burst, 15-point autofocus and 60 fps video frame rate all serve those situations better.
If your shooting splits between them, let the lens system decide: Canon EF-S and Sony Alpha DT mounts do not cross. Both share the APS-C sensor format, flip-out screens, built-in flash and SD card support.