• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000

Buy From

Differences

Sony A33 advantages over Sony A58

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.16 vs 4.31 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.80 vs 1.9 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 461k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.73x vs 0.57x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.1 fps vs 4.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    13 vs 8 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 16000 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sony A58 advantages over Sony A33

  • Less expensive
    $600 vs $750 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Higher effective ISO
    753 vs 591 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 700 vs 270 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.13 vs 0.21 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    20.1 vs 14.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Review Excerpt

  • Improved 20.1-megapixel resolution; Impressive image quality, especially for its price; Fast and decisive autofocus (in most conditions); Very good battery life; Good video quality (Full HD 1080p, though it doesn't support 60p frame rate).

  • Plastic lens mount; Slower burst mode speeds and shallower buffer than A57; LCD no longer fully articulating; Mediocre kit lens; Electronic instead of an optical viewfinder may be a turnoff for some.

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D3100

Sony A33
Nikon D3100
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Sony A58
Nikon D3100
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony A55

Sony A33
Sony A55
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • $734
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Built-in GPS
Sony A58
Sony A55
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $734
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Built-in GPS

Compared to Sony A35

Sony A33
Sony A35
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $567
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life
Sony A58
Sony A35
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $567
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • More dots on screen

Compared to Pentax K-5 IIs

Sony A33
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Sony A58
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compared to Canon T5i

Sony A33
Canon T5i
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $539
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Sony A58
Canon T5i
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $539
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Compare Other Cameras?