Sony Alpha 560 vs Sony SLT Alpha 55 — Which Is Better?
Side by side50 specifications |
Sony · DSLR · 14.2 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony Alpha 560
46
SCORE
|
Sony · DSLR · 16.2 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony SLT Alpha 55
51
WINNER
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Sony Alpha 560 and the Sony SLT Alpha 55 are APS-C DSLRs for the Sony Alpha DT mount, announced on the same day in August 2010, so both take the same lenses. The SLT Alpha 55 is the more compact body, measuring 124 x 92 x 85 mm and weighing 500 g. The Alpha 560 is larger at 137 x 104 x 84 mm and 599 g. | ||
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 | 58/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe SLT Alpha 55 offers more pixels to work with, at 16.2 megapixels against the Alpha 560's 14.2, which gives a distant bird or a loose composition more room for tight cropping. It also shoots at 10 frames per second, double the Alpha 560's 5 fps, a decisive advantage when the peak of a race or a bird taking off lasts a fraction of a second. The Alpha 560 composes through an optical pentamirror viewfinder, while the SLT Alpha 55 previews electronically. Several other settings are shared. Both carry 15 autofocus points, in-body stabilisation for steadier handheld shooting, and a 1/4000 second top shutter speed. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
14.2 MP050 | 16.2 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 | 4912 x 3264 |
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 23.5 |
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 | 10 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 ComparisonVideoThe Alpha 560 records smoother motion, with a maximum video frame rate of 60 fps against 30 on the SLT Alpha 55. Twice the frame count means pans and moving subjects play back with less judder. Resolution is a shared Full HD ceiling on both bodies, and both record in AVCHD and MP4, so clips from either camera drop into the same editing workflow. | ||
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 | AVCHD, MP4 |
| Features | 41/100 | 41/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe SLT Alpha 55 has built-in GPS, so every photo can carry its capture location, handy for geotagging a road trip or mapping a long hike. The Alpha 560 has no GPS. Several shooting aids are shared instead. Each body offers a 3-inch flip-out LCD for waist-level or overhead framing, live view, and both built-in and external flash support. | ||
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. |
No |  Yes |
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 | 21/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe Alpha 560's NP-FM500H battery carries a 550-shot rating, against 380 for the SLT Alpha 55's NP-FW50, a useful edge for a long day away from a charger. The two packs differ, so a spare bought for one body will not power the other. Both accept SD, SDHC and SDXC cards plus Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo media in a single slot, and neither 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 | 380 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 |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
For action and location work the Sony SLT Alpha 55 is the stronger buy, because its 10 fps continuous shooting captures the peak of a sprint finish or a bird leaving the water, and its built-in GPS records where each frame was taken.
Choose the Sony Alpha 560 instead if you prefer composing through an optical viewfinder, want its higher 550-shot battery rating for days away from a charger, or need its 60 fps video frame rate for smoother motion playback. Both use the Sony Alpha DT mount, so either body grows with the same lens collection.