• APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 15.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  •  

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Differences

Canon T1i advantages over Sony NEX-5

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Fast startup
    ~0.30 vs 1.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 400 vs 330 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.16 vs 0.44 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    3.4 fps vs 2.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 38 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sony NEX-5 advantages over Canon T1i

  • Less expensive
    $700 vs $900 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Higher effective ISO
    796 vs 663 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Thinner
    40 mm vs 61 mm
    Thinner

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • 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

The Competition

Compared to Canon XSi

Canon T1i
Canon XSi
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • HDMI out
  • $649
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
Sony NEX-5
Canon XSi
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $649
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Sony DSLR-A350

Canon T1i
Sony DSLR-A350
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Sony NEX-5
Sony DSLR-A350
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Pentax K2000

Canon T1i
Pentax K2000
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • HDMI out
  • More dots on screen
  • $556
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive
Sony NEX-5
Pentax K2000
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $556
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Samsung NX100

Canon T1i
Samsung NX100
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive
Sony NEX-5
Samsung NX100
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Sony NEX-C3

Canon T1i
Sony NEX-C3
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
Sony NEX-5
Sony NEX-C3
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO
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