Canon EOS Rebel T5 / 1200D vs Sony SLT Alpha 58 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · DSLR · 18 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Canon EOS Rebel T5 / 1200D
38
SCORE
|
Sony · DSLR · 20.1 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony SLT Alpha 58
53
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS Rebel T5 / 1200D and the Sony SLT Alpha 58 are both DSLRs announced a year apart, the Sony in February 2013 and the Canon in February 2014. Their bodies are nearly the same size, 130 x 100 x 78 mm against 129 x 95 x 78 mm, and only 12 g separates their weights, so portability gives neither an advantage. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2014 | 2013 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
February 12, 2014 | February 20, 2013 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 130 x 100 x 78 mm | 129 x 95 x 78 mm |
| Camera weight | 480 g | 492 g |
| Optics | 39/100 | 63/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Sony SLT Alpha 58 is the stronger choice for handheld shooting and moving subjects. It offers in-body stabilisation, which the Rebel T5 lacks, letting you shoot at slower shutter speeds without a tripod, and its 5 fps continuous rate gives you more frames of a running child or an approaching bird than the Canon's 3 fps. The Sony also has 15 autofocus points against 9, a higher native ISO ceiling of 16000 against 6400, and 20.1 megapixels against 18 for more crop room. Both use APS-C CMOS sensors and share the 1/4000 second maximum shutter speed. The Canon has an optical pentamirror finder, while the Sony's 1,440,000-dot electronic finder previews your exposure settings. Each mounts its own lenses, Canon EF-S or Sony Alpha DT. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
18 MP050 | 20.1 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 | 5456 x 3632 |
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 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 | 160003003280000 |
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 | 160003003280000 |
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 | 144000009900000 |
| Video | 43/100 | 43/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoFor video, the Canon EOS Rebel T5 offers the higher maximum frame rate, 30 fps against the Sony's 24 fps, giving smoother motion. Both cameras cap at Full HD resolution, so neither records 4K. The Canon records MOV files, while the Sony offers AVCHD or MP4, so pick the one that suits your editing software. Neither camera has a built-in timelapse mode. | ||
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 | 24 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 | 36/100 | 34/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Rebel T5 has the larger rear screen, 3 inches against the Sony's 2.7 inches, which makes reviewing shots and using live view more comfortable. Both screens are LCDs with the same 460,000 dots, and both tilt, so overhead and low-angle framing work on either camera. Both cameras have a built-in flash and support external flash units. Neither has a touch screen, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS 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" | 2.7" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
4600001150001500000 | 4600001150001500000 |
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 | 27/100 | 32/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe Sony SLT Alpha 58 is the better choice for battery life, rated at 690 shots per charge against 500 for the Rebel T5. That higher rating supports longer shooting days on a single charge. Both cameras use a single card slot and charge their batteries externally rather than over USB. Both take SD, SDHC and SDXC cards, and the Sony additionally accepts Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo media, which is useful if you already own those cards. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | LP-E10 | NP-FM500H |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
500 shots1505000 | 690 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
For stills photographers, the Sony SLT Alpha 58 is the stronger buy. In-body stabilisation helps handheld indoor shots, 5 fps burst suits children and sport, and the 690-shot rating supports full-day outings. The electronic viewfinder previews exposure settings, which helps when learning manual control.
Choose the Canon EOS Rebel T5 / 1200D if video motion matters, since its 30 fps maximum frame rate renders movement more smoothly than the Sony's 24 fps. It is also the pick if you already own Canon EF-S lenses or prefer an optical viewfinder, and its larger screen makes reviewing shots easier.