Sony SLT Alpha 33 vs Sony SLT Alpha 55 — Which Is Better?
Side by side51 specifications |
Sony · DSLR · 14.2 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony SLT Alpha 33
46
SCORE
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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 SLT Alpha 33 and Sony SLT Alpha 55 are 2010 DSLRs announced on the same day, 24 August 2010. Both pair an APS-C CMOS sensor with an electronic viewfinder, so the finder image carries the same 1150000-dot resolution on either camera. Body dimensions match at 124 x 92 x 85 mm, and each weighs 500 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 | 124 x 92 x 85 mm | 124 x 92 x 85 mm |
| Camera weight | 500 g | 500 g |
| Optics | 51/100 | 58/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Alpha 55 is the stronger choice for fast action, because it shoots at 10 fps while the Alpha 33 manages 7 fps. It also gives you more pixels to work with, 16.2 MP against 14.2 MP, which helps when cropping tightly into a distant subject. Both use the same Sony Alpha DT mount, so your lens choices are unchanged between them. The other stills settings are shared here. Each camera pairs a 15-point autofocus system with in-body stabilisation, letting you shoot handheld at slower shutter speeds with any DT lens. Native ISO runs from 100 to 12800 on both, expandable to 25600, and each tops out at a 1/4000 second shutter setting. | ||
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. |
7 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. |
Electronic | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | 115000009900000 | 115000009900000 |
| Video | 43/100 | 43/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoFor family clips and basic web footage, neither camera asks you to give anything up. Full HD is the maximum resolution on both, 30 fps is each camera's top frame rate, and both record in AVCHD and MP4. Neither offers a built-in timelapse mode, so interval shooting would need external triggering. | ||
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. |
30 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. |
MP4, AVCHD | AVCHD, MP4 |
| Features | 41/100 | 41/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Alpha 55 has the advantage for location-aware shooting: built-in GPS tags every photo with location data. That is useful for travel photography, hiking landscapes and wildlife surveys where you need to remember exactly where a shot was taken. The Alpha 33 offers no GPS, so its files carry no location information. Framing awkward angles works the same way on both, thanks to a shared 3-inch LCD with 921000 dots that flips out for waist-level and overhead shots. Both also offer live view, a built-in flash and support for external flash units. Neither includes Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, a touchscreen or weather sealing, so moving files off the camera needs a card reader. | ||
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. |
9210001150001500000 | 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 | 16/100 | 21/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe Alpha 55 holds the endurance advantage: its battery is rated at 380 shots against 270 for the Alpha 33, under their respective test conditions. Both use the same NP-FW50 battery, so any spares you already own work with either body. Storage is shared. Each camera accepts SD, SDHC and SDXC cards alongside Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo, into a single slot, with no USB charging on either. Plan on an external charger for both. | ||
| 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-FW50 | NP-FW50 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
270 shots1505000 | 380 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
| Meta | ||
| Field provenance | [object Object] | [object Object] |
| Score validation | ||
Version ⓘThe iteration or release number of a particular lens model. |
camera-spec-score-v1-sheet-2026-08-20 | camera-spec-score-v1-sheet-2026-08-20 |
| Status | complete | complete |
| Warnings | optics.megapixels=14.2 has a blank points cell in the source sheet and scores zero | — |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
The Sony SLT Alpha 55 is the better pick for most photographers. Its 10 fps maximum burst suits sports, birds and running children far better than the Alpha 33's 7 fps, and its extra pixels give more latitude for cropping wildlife shots. Built-in GPS geotags travel and landscape work, and the stronger battery rating suits a full day away from a charger.
The Alpha 33 remains a sound choice if you shoot little fast action, want no location tagging and can accept the shorter battery rating. The two bodies share the same dimensions, weight and Sony Alpha DT lens mount, so the decision comes down to burst speed, resolution, GPS and battery life.