Canon EOS Rebel XSi / 450D vs Sony Alpha 380 — 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 380
41
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS Rebel XSi / 450D and the Sony Alpha 380 are both digital SLRs, so each camera frames shots through an optical eye-level viewfinder. Canon launched the Rebel XSi in 2008, and Sony followed with the Alpha 380 a year later. Their body dimensions are close, at 129 x 98 x 62 mm for the Canon and 128 x 97 x 71 mm for the Sony, the Sony being the deeper body at 71 mm. The Canon weighs 524 g, five grams more than the Sony's 519 g. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2008 | 2009 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
January 24, 2008 | May 18, 2009 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 129 x 98 x 62 mm | 128 x 97 x 71 mm |
| Camera weight | 524 g | 519 g |
| Optics | 42/100 | 46/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Alpha 380 gives you more room to crop a distant subject or print larger, with 14.2 megapixels against 12.2 on the Rebel XSi. Their sensors differ in design, the Canon using a CMOS sensor and the Sony a CCD, while both share the APS-C format. The native lens systems are separate too: the Canon uses EF-S mount lenses and the Sony Alpha DT mount, so glass does not transfer between them. For action the Rebel XSi is the stronger choice, with a 3.5 fps burst against 2.5 fps on the Sony. The Alpha 380 answers with in-body stabilisation, which steadies handheld shots with any mounted lens. It also offers a maximum ISO setting of 3200, double the Canon's 1600, when you want a faster shutter speed in dim light. Both use nine autofocus points, and both shutters reach 1/4000 second. | ||
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 ComparisonVideoFor any motion footage, plan on a separate device, because neither the Rebel XSi nor the Alpha 380 records video. Neither camera offers a built-in timelapse mode either, so interval shooting would need external triggering. Anyone comparing these two is choosing a stills camera. | ||
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 380's tilting LCD is its most practical advantage here, letting you frame live-view shots at waist level or hold the camera overhead in a crowd. The Rebel XSi's screen is fixed but larger, at 3 inches against 2.7, with dot counts only 400 apart. Their remaining features match: both offer live view, a built-in flash and external flash support, while neither includes GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, a touchscreen 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 | 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 | 27/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryBoth cameras carry a 500-shot battery rating under their stated test conditions, so endurance does not divide them. The Canon accepts SD, SDHC and SDXC cards, covering the largest-capacity SD media. The Sony takes SD and SDHC plus Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo, handy if you already own Sony cards. Each has a single 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 | 500 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Alpha 380 if you shoot handheld in dim interiors, because its in-body stabilisation steadies any lens you mount, and its tilting screen suits overhead or waist-level compositions. Its extra megapixels also help when a distant bird fills only part of the frame.
Choose the Rebel XSi for children's sports or pets, where its 3.5 fps burst serves the decisive moment better than the Sony's 2.5, and its larger screen makes reviewing shots easier. Whichever you take, you commit to that brand's lens system, so weigh the EF-S and Alpha DT ranges you intend to build.