Canon EOS Rebel T3i / 600D vs Sony SLT Alpha 35 — 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 · 16 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony SLT Alpha 35
50
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS Rebel T3i / 600D and the Sony SLT Alpha 35 are both DSLRs released in 2011 for photographers stepping up to interchangeable lenses. The Sony is the lighter carry at 415 g against the Canon's 570 g, and slightly smaller at 124 x 92 x 85 mm against 133 x 100 x 80 mm. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2011 | 2011 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
February 7, 2011 | June 8, 2011 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 133 x 100 x 80 mm | 124 x 92 x 85 mm |
| Camera weight | 570 g | 415 g |
| Optics | 40/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsHandheld work in dim rooms favours the Sony, whose in-body stabilisation steadies shots with any mounted lens; the Canon body offers none. It also brings 15 autofocus points to the Canon's 9, and 5.5 fps continuous shooting to 3.7 fps, both useful for unpredictable subjects like pets. Heavy cropping favours the Canon, whose 18 megapixels leave more room to trim a distant bird than the Sony's 16. Sensor format and type match at APS-C CMOS, and so does the 1/4000 second shutter limit. The Sony's standard ISO reaches 12800 against the Canon's 6400, expanding to 25600 versus 12800. The Sony frames with an electronic viewfinder, the Canon an optical pentamirror, and each stays within its own Canon EF-S or Sony Alpha DT mount. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
18 MP050 | 16 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 | 4912 x 3264 |
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 23.5 |
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 | 5.5 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) | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | 115000009900000 |
| Video | 43/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe Sony is the clear pick for slow motion, with a top video frame rate of 60 fps against the Canon's 30 fps. That headroom smooths fast action and gives the edit more frames to slow. Maximum video resolution is a shared Full HD limit, so neither camera offers 4K. The Sony records MP4 or AVCHD and the Canon MOV, worth checking against 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. |
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 | MP4, AVCHD |
| Features | 44/100 | 41/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Canon's 3-inch tilt-and-swivel LCD resolves more detail, with 1,040,000 dots against the Sony's 921,000, so focus checks are finer. Both cameras offer that articulated screen plus live view, a built-in flash and an external flash shoe for add-on lighting. Neither includes GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, touch control or weather sealing, so wireless transfer and geotagging both require add-ons. | ||
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. |
 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 | 24/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryBattery life is a tie on paper, with both rated for 440 shots per charge under their test conditions. Each uses a single card slot and neither charges over USB, so a spare battery earns its place on long shooting days. The Sony accepts Memory Stick Pro Duo media alongside SD, SDHC and SDXC cards, while the Canon takes the SD family only. | ||
| 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 | 440 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Sony SLT Alpha 35 for handheld low-light stills, moving subjects and slow-motion video. Its in-body stabilisation, 15 autofocus points and 60 fps video frame rate serve all three. Choose the Canon EOS Rebel T3i / 600D when heavy cropping matters most, since its 18 megapixels leave more room to trim distant wildlife. Owners of Canon EF-S or Sony Alpha DT lenses should stay in that system, because the mounts do not interchange.