• APS-C 328.6mm2
  • 12.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800

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Differences

Canon XSi advantages over Sony DSLR-A500

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Thinner
    61 mm vs 84 mm
    Thinner
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    53 vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sony DSLR-A500 advantages over Canon XSi

  • 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Higher effective ISO
    772 vs 692 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1000 vs 500 shots
    Capture more photos
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.9 fps vs 3.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 1600 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
  • 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
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Neither provide
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • 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 Nikon D60

Canon XSi
Nikon D60
  • $649
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Less shutter lag
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
Sony DSLR-A500
Nikon D60
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compared to Pentax K2000

Canon XSi
Pentax K2000
  • $649
  • APS-C
  • More pixels
  • More AF points
  • $556
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
Sony DSLR-A500
Pentax K2000
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • HDMI out
  • $556
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compared to Canon T1i

Canon XSi
Canon T1i
  • $649
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • HDMI out
Sony DSLR-A500
Canon T1i
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compared to Sony DSLR-A550

Canon XSi
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $649
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Sony DSLR-A500
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • More dots on screen
  • More pixels

Compared to Sony DSLR-A560

Canon XSi
Sony DSLR-A560
  • $649
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $750
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
Sony DSLR-A500
Sony DSLR-A560
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Less shutter lag
  • $750
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • More cross-type AF points
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