Canon EOS Rebel XSi / 450D vs Sony Alpha 290 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · DSLR · 12.2 MP · APS-C
Canon EOS Rebel XSi / 450D
39
SCORE
|
Sony · DSLR · 14.2 MP · APS-C
Sony Alpha 290
40
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS Rebel XSi / 450D and the Sony Alpha 290 are both APS-C DSLRs with optical pentamirror viewfinders, so you compose through the finder on either. The Rebel XSi arrived in 2008, the Alpha 290 two years later. The Alpha 290 is the deeper body at 86 mm thick against 62 mm for the Rebel XSi, and it weighs 549 g, 25 g more than Canon's 524 g. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2008 | 2010 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
January 24, 2008 | June 1, 2010 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 129 x 98 x 62 mm | 128 x 97 x 86 mm |
| Camera weight | 524 g | 549 g |
| Optics | 42/100 | 46/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Sony Alpha 290 is the better pick for handheld shooting in dim light, because it offers in-body stabilisation that works with every mounted lens. The Rebel XSi has none, so steady handheld work at slower shutter speeds depends on the lens itself. The Alpha 290's 14.2 MP sensor gives more pixels for cropping than the Rebel XSi's 12.2 MP, and its ISO range reaches 3200 against 1600 for extra latitude in fading light. Autofocus and the top shutter speed are similarities, with 9 AF points and a 1/4000 second maximum on both. The mounts differ, Canon EF-S versus Sony Alpha DT, so each takes only its own lenses. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
12.2 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. |
4272 x 2848 | 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 | 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 | 15.8 x 23.6 |
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. |
3.5 fps045 | 2.5 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 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. |
90300 | 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, and neither offers a built-in timelapse function. Anyone who wants movie clips alongside stills will need a different camera entirely, because this pair is strictly for photography. | ||
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 | 36/100 | 34/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Sony Alpha 290's screen tilts, which helps when framing low-angle shots such as ground-level portraits without kneeling. The Rebel XSi's screen is fixed but larger at 3 inches against 2.7 inches, so images show bigger during review. Their dot counts differ by only 400, so neither screen gains a sharpness advantage. Both offer a built-in flash, a hot shoe for an external unit and live view on the rear LCD. Neither has GPS, weather sealing, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or a touch screen. | ||
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. |
2300001150001500000 | 2304001150001500000 |
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 | 27/100 | 16/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe Rebel XSi is the stronger choice for a long day of shooting, rated at 500 shots per charge against 290 for the Alpha 290 under their respective test conditions. Card support also differs. The Rebel XSi takes SD, SDHC and SDXC cards, while the Alpha 290 accepts SD and SDHC plus Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo media. Neither body has a second card slot, and neither charges over USB. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | LP-E6 | NP-FH50 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
500 shots1505000 | 290 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Sony Alpha 290 if you shoot handheld in low light or favour slower shutter speeds, because its in-body stabilisation steadies every lens you mount, and its tilting screen eases low-angle framing. Its higher ISO ceiling also gives more latitude when the light fades.
Choose the Canon EOS Rebel XSi / 450D for longer outings or faster subjects. Its rated 500-shot battery life and 3.5 fps burst rate against Sony's 2.5 fps give it the edge, and its larger 3-inch screen makes review easier. Both are APS-C DSLRs without video, so the lens system you prefer, Canon EF-S or Sony Alpha DT, should guide the final decision.