Sony Alpha 560 vs Sony SLT Alpha 33 — Which Is Better?
Side by side51 specifications |
Sony · DSLR · 14.2 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony Alpha 560
46
SCORE
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Sony · DSLR · 14.2 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony SLT Alpha 33
46
SCORE
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Sony Alpha 560 and the Sony SLT Alpha 33 are sibling Sony DSLRs from 2010, announced on the same day, and both take the same Alpha DT lenses. That shared mount means any Alpha DT glass you already own works on either body. Their bodies differ in size and weight. The Alpha 33 is the lighter carry at 500 g against 599 g for the Alpha 560, a 99 g saving, and it is the smaller body at 124 x 92 x 85 mm versus 137 x 104 x 84 mm. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2010 | 2010 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
August 24, 2010 | August 24, 2010 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 137 x 104 x 84 mm | 124 x 92 x 85 mm |
| Camera weight | 599 g | 500 g |
| Optics | 50/100 | 51/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsHandheld shooting gains the same support on either body, because both cameras offer in-body stabilisation that works with every Alpha DT lens you mount. Resolution also matches at 14.2 MP on an APS-C CMOS sensor, so prints and crops from either camera start from the same pixel count. The Alpha 33 is the stronger choice for fast action, shooting at 7 fps against 5 fps on the Alpha 560. The viewfinder types also differ, with an optical pentamirror finder in the Alpha 560 and an electronic viewfinder with 1,150,000 dots in the Alpha 33 for previewing your shot before you take it. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
14.2 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. |
4592 x 3056 | 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 | CMOS |
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. |
15.6 x 23.4 | 15.6 x 23.4 |
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. |
5 fps045 | 7 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. |
Sony Alpha DT | 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. |
Bionz | 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. |
128003003280000 | 128003003280000 |
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. |
256003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
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. |
150300 | 150300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | 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) | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | 115000009900000 |
| Video | 56/100 | 43/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoSmooth motion favours the Alpha 560, whose maximum video frame rate is 60 fps against 30 fps on the Alpha 33. The extra frames give smoother action playback and more room to slow a clip down in editing. Both cameras cap out at Full HD resolution and record in AVCHD and MP4. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Full HD | Full HD |
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. |
1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
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. |
60 fps | 30 fps |
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. |
AVCHD, MP4 | MP4, AVCHD |
| Features | 41/100 | 41/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesOverhead and angled framing is easy on either camera, because both offer a 3-inch flip-out LCD with live view. Each body carries a built-in flash and supports an external flash for more power. Neither camera offers GPS, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, so geotagging photos from a trip means a separate GPS device. | ||
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" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
9216001150001500000 | 9210001150001500000 |
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. |
 Yes | 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 | 29/100 | 16/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe Alpha 560 is the clear choice for a long shooting day, with a 550-shot battery rating against 270 shots for the Alpha 33. That is 280 more shots per charge, roughly twice the endurance. Both cameras share one memory card slot that accepts SD, SDHC and SDXC cards or Memory Stick Pro Duo media. Their batteries differ in type, NP-FM500H versus NP-FW50, so spares are not interchangeable, and neither body charges over USB. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | NP-FM500H | NP-FW50 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
550 shots1505000 | 270 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
| Meta | ||
| Field provenance | — | [object Object] |
| Score validation | ||
Version ⓘThe iteration or release number of a particular lens model. |
— | camera-spec-score-v1-sheet-2026-08-20 |
| Status | — | complete |
| Warnings | — | optics.megapixels=14.2 has a blank points cell in the source sheet and scores zero |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
For a wedding, a school play or a family holiday heavy on video, buy the Alpha 560: its 550-shot battery rating covers more shooting between charges, and its 60 fps maximum video frame rate keeps motion smooth. For fast stills sequences such as a football match or flying birds, the Alpha 33 is the better pick, combining 7 fps bursts with an electronic viewfinder that previews the shot before you take it.
Since resolution, mount and stabilisation match, your choice comes down to burst speed, viewfinder type and battery endurance. Whichever you choose, carry a spare battery, especially with the Alpha 33.