Canon EOS Rebel XSi / 450D vs Sony Alpha 300 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · DSLR · 12.2 MP · APS-C
Canon EOS Rebel XSi / 450D
39
SCORE
|
Sony · DSLR · 10.2 MP · APS-C
Sony Alpha 300
44
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS Rebel XSi / 450D and the Sony Alpha 300 are both APS-C DSLRs announced within a week of each other in January 2008. Each is built around an optical pentamirror viewfinder and a live-view rear screen, so composing through the finder or on the back is available on either body. The Canon is the lighter carry at 524 g, against 632 g for the Sony, a 108 g difference. The Sony body is also deeper at 75 mm versus 62 mm, while the two are nearly the same length and height. | ||
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. |
January 24, 2008 | January 30, 2008 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 129 x 98 x 62 mm | 131 x 99 x 75 mm |
| Camera weight | 524 g | 632 g |
| Optics | 42/100 | 49/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe XSi is the stronger choice when you want room to crop or print large, with 12.2 megapixels against 10.2 on the Alpha 300. It also runs its continuous shooting at 3.5 fps versus 3 fps, a small edge for sequences of moving subjects. The Alpha 300 answers with in-body stabilisation, so handheld shots at slower shutter speeds get help with any Sony Alpha DT lens, while the Canon depends on stabilised EF-S lenses. Its ISO range also reaches 3200, twice the Canon's 1600 ceiling. Shared specifications include nine autofocus points and a 1/4000 second top shutter speed, and both use APS-C sensors with optical viewfinders. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
12.2 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. |
4272 x 2848 | 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. |
3.5 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. |
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 built-in timelapse, so motion clips are out of reach on both bodies. Anyone who wants occasional movie capture alongside stills needs to look beyond this pair; for stills-only shooting the two are evenly placed on this front. | ||
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 Alpha 300 has the more flexible screen for awkward angles, because its flip screen lets you aim live view low to the ground or overhead. The Canon's screen is fixed but larger at 3 inches against 2.7, and both displays carry the same 230,000-dot resolution. For flash and connectivity the two are close. Both offer live view, a built-in flash and support for an external flash, and neither includes GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, touch control 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. |
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 | 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 Alpha 300 has the longer rated battery life at 730 shots, against 500 shots for the XSi, using their respective NP-FM500H and LP-E6 packs. Each battery type is model-specific, so a spare has to match the body you choose. Storage formats differ: the Canon takes SD, SDHC and SDXC cards, while the Sony uses Compact Flash. Both have a single card slot and neither charges over USB. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | Compact Flash |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | LP-E6 | 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 | 730 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Pick the Alpha 300 if handheld shooting in dim interiors matters most, since its in-body stabilisation steadies every Sony Alpha DT lens you attach. Its flip screen helps with low and overhead framing, and its longer rated battery life favours all-day outings. It stores images on Compact Flash cards rather than SD.
Pick the Rebel XSi for landscape and detail work, where 12.2 megapixels give more cropping room than the Sony's 10.2. Its 3.5 fps burst helps fleeting action, the 524 g body is the lighter carry, and the SD card slot keeps storage simple.