Canon EOS Rebel XTi / 400D vs Sony Alpha 100 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · DSLR · 10.1 MP · APS-C
Canon EOS Rebel XTi / 400D
33
SCORE
|
Sony · DSLR · 10 MP · APS-C
Sony Alpha 100
37
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS Rebel XTi / 400D and the Sony Alpha 100 are both APS-C digital SLRs released in 2006. The Rebel XTi is the lighter body at 556 g against 638 g, and its 127 x 94 x 65 mm frame is slightly smaller than the Alpha 100's 133 x 95 x 71 mm. Their native lens systems differ: the Rebel XTi uses the Canon EF-S mount and the Alpha 100 uses the Sony Alpha DT mount, so your lens choices follow the camera you pick. The Alpha 100 was announced in June 2006, with the Rebel XTi following that August. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2006 | 2006 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
August 24, 2006 | June 5, 2006 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 127 x 94 x 65 mm | 133 x 95 x 71 mm |
| Camera weight | 556 g | 638 g |
| Optics | 41/100 | 46/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Sony Alpha 100 is the stronger choice for handheld shooting in dim light, because it offers in-body stabilisation with every Alpha DT lens you mount. The Rebel XTi has no sensor-shift stabilisation, so Canon shooters need stabilised EF-S lenses for comparable help against camera shake. Resolution gives neither camera a practical edge for cropping distant subjects, with 10.1 MP against 10 MP on the same APS-C format. Their core stills settings match, including 3 fps continuous shooting, 9 autofocus points and a 1/4000 second top shutter speed. The native ISO range is shared at 100 to 1600. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
10.1 MP050 | 10 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 II | 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 | 16003003280000 |
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 | 16003003280000 |
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 or offers a built-in timelapse mode, so both are strictly stills tools. Anyone who wants motion clips alongside photographs will need a separate recording device regardless of which body they choose. | ||
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 | 17/100 | 17/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Alpha 100's flip-out screen gives it a real edge for waist-level macro work and shooting over crowds, letting you tilt the 2.5-inch LCD instead of contorting yourself to see a fixed panel. The Rebel XTi's screen is fixed, so low and high angles mean crouching or guessing at framing. A similarity applies to flash: both cameras include a built-in flash and support an external flash unit for stronger indoor lighting. Neither offers GPS, WiFi, Bluetooth, a touchscreen or live view, so composition on both is done through the optical pentamirror viewfinder. | ||
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" | 2.5" |
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. |
✗ | ✗ |
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 | 21/100 | 35/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryFor long shooting days, the Alpha 100 carries the stronger battery rating: 750 shots against 370 for the Rebel XTi, under their respective test conditions. The packs differ, with Sony's NP-FM55H in the Alpha 100 and Canon's NB-2LH in the Rebel XTi. Storage is shared: both cameras write to a single Compact Flash Type I or II card slot. Neither supports USB charging, so the batteries are recharged in a dedicated charger rather than over a USB cable. | ||
| Memory card | Compact Flash (Type I or II) | Compact Flash (Type I or II) |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | NB-2LH | NP-FM55H |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
370 shots1505000 | 750 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
For most photographers comparing these two, the Sony Alpha 100 is the more versatile pick. Its in-body stabilisation steadies handheld shots in dim churches and evening streets with any DT lens, its flip-out screen eases low-angle garden and macro work, and its 750-shot rating is the stronger figure for a full day away from a charger.
Choose the Canon EOS Rebel XTi / 400D for a lighter travel body at 556 g, or to build around the Canon EF-S lens range. If handheld low-light work and flexible framing matter most, the Alpha 100's advantages point that way.