Canon EOS Rebel XS / 1000D vs Sony Alpha 200 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · DSLR · 10.1 MP · APS-C
Canon EOS Rebel XS / 1000D
37
SCORE
|
Sony · DSLR · 10.2 MP · APS-C
Sony Alpha 200
40
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS Rebel XS / 1000D and the Sony Alpha 200 are APS-C DSLRs released in 2008, so this is a same-era choice decided by specifications. The Rebel XS is the lighter, slightly more compact body at 502 g and 126 x 98 x 65 mm, against 572 g and 131 x 99 x 71 mm for the Alpha 200, a 70 g difference. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2008 | 2008 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
June 10, 2008 | January 7, 2008 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 126 x 98 x 65 mm | 131 x 99 x 71 mm |
| Camera weight | 502 g | 572 g |
| Optics | 42/100 | 49/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsSteady handheld shooting in dim interiors is where the Sony Alpha 200 holds the clear advantage, because it offers in-body stabilisation while the Rebel XS has none. Unstabilised Sony Alpha DT lenses gain that shake reduction at the sensor, so primes without their own stabilisation still shoot steadier handheld. Canon EF-S lenses must supply optical stabilisation themselves. The Sony also reaches 3200 ISO against 1600 ISO on the Canon, twice the standard ceiling for moving subjects in low light without flash. Its 9 autofocus points give two more than the Canon's 7, useful for off-centre compositions. Resolution is nearly tied at 10.2 versus 10.1 megapixels, and both cameras shoot at 3 fps with the same 1/4000 second maximum shutter. Burst speed therefore favours neither. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
10.1 MP050 | 10.2 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
3888 x 2592 | 3872 x 2592 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CCD |
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. |
14.8 x 22.2 | 16 x 24 |
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 | 3 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 III | 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. |
16003003280000 | 32003003280000 |
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. |
16003003280000 | 32003003280000 |
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. |
70300 | 90300 |
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 | ||
Read the Video ComparisonVideoNeither camera records video or offers a built-in timelapse mode, so both are stills-only tools. If movie clips matter to your work, this pair cannot deliver them, and the decision rests on their stills capabilities. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
N/A | N/A |
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. |
N/A | N/A |
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. |
N/A | N/A |
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. |
N/A | N/A |
| Features | 30/100 | 21/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesFraming flexibility splits in opposite directions. The Alpha 200 has a flip screen for holding the camera low or overhead while still seeing the frame, while the Rebel XS offers live view for composing on the LCD instead of through the optical pentamirror viewfinder. Choose the Sony for awkward-angle landscape shots and the Canon for tripod still-life work where composing on the screen helps. The Sony screen is larger at 2.7 inches against 2.5 inches, though both show the same 230,000 dots, so screen detail matches. Neither camera has GPS, WiFi, Bluetooth or touch control. Both offer a built-in flash and support an external flash for adding a speedlight. | ||
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 | 2.5" | 2.7" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
2300001150001500000 | 2300001150001500000 |
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 | No |
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 | 35/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryLong shooting days favor the Alpha 200, whose NP-FM500H battery is rated for 750 shots against 500 shots for the Rebel XS LP-E5, a 250-shot lead under the rated test conditions. The Sony writes to Compact Flash, while the Canon accepts SD, SDHC and SDXC cards. Both have a single card slot and neither supports USB charging, so a spare battery is wise for either. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | Compact Flash |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | LP-E5 | 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 | 750 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
The Sony Alpha 200 is the better pick for handheld low-light photography, thanks to in-body stabilisation, the 3200 ISO ceiling, two extra autofocus points and the longer 750-shot battery rating. The flip screen helps at ground level or above a crowd.
Choose the Canon EOS Rebel XS / 1000D for tripod still-life work or if you already use SD cards, since its live view and SD, SDHC and SDXC storage suit that workflow. For handheld available-light, street and travel shooting, the Alpha 200 is the stronger choice.