• APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 18.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000

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Differences

Canon T3i advantages over Sony A57

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Less expensive
    $600 vs $800 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • More telephoto lens reach
    216 mm vs 83 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video

Sony A57 advantages over Canon T3i

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • More dynamic range
    13.0 vs 11.5 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 550 vs 440 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More cross-type AF points
    3 vs 1
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.69x vs 0.53x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More AF points
    15 vs 9
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 3.6 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    25 vs 9 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

  • Excellent image quality; Good grip; Full HD video recording; Swiveling LCD; Very fast autofocus; HDMI output.

  • Slow frame rate for sports shooting; Tendency to overexpose in bright sunlight; Live View AF is slow; No microfocus adjustment.

  • We haven’t finished our review of the Sony A57, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7000

Canon T3i
Nikon D7000
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup
Sony A57
Nikon D7000
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO

Compared to Pentax K-5

Canon T3i
Pentax K-5
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Sony A57
Pentax K-5
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO

Compared to Nikon D5100

Canon T3i
Nikon D5100
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Shoots 60p video
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup
Sony A57
Nikon D5100
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Canon T4i

Canon T3i
Canon T4i
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup
Sony A57
Canon T4i
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Pentax K-5 IIs

Canon T3i
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Sony A57
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO
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