Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
Competitors

As well as being compared against other entry-level DSLRs, the Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 is also often compared to pro DSLRs. The Sony Alpha DSLR-A500's top rivals come from Nikon (such as the D3100 and the D90) and Sony (such as the Alpha DSLR-A580 and the Alpha DSLR-A550)

Generally, some of the advantages of the Sony DSLR-A500 compared to other entry-level DSLR competitors include: it has better image stabilization (sensor shift vs none), slightly higher maximum light sensitivity (12,800 ISO vs 6,400 ISO), lets you preview your photos on the screen, has a screen which flips out and has more storage slots (2 vs 1).

However, on average it is slightly more noisy at high ISO (772 ISO vs 977 ISO), has slightly lower image quality (64.0 vs 73.0), doesn't record movies (none vs 1080p @ 24fps), has significantly less color depth (21.8 bits vs 22.7 bits) and has slightly narrower dynamic range (11.6 EV vs 12.5 EV).

Nikon D3100 1 year newer $500 - $547 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the D3100 (vs the DSLR-A500) Shoots movies: 1080p @ 24fps vs None Faster autofocus: Phase detection vs Contrast detection Better color depth: 22.5 bits vs 21.8 bits Significant disadvantages of the D3100 (vs the DSLR-A500) No image stabilization: None vs Sensor shift Worse maximum light sensitivity: 3,200 ISO vs 12,800 ISO Screen does not flip out common strengths of the D3100 and DSLR-A500 None found
	Compare the Nikon D3100 vs the Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
Sony Alpha DSLR-A580 1 year newer $949 55-200mm lens	Significant advantages of the DSLR-A580 (vs the DSLR-A500) Much better image quality: 80.0 vs 64.0 Significantly lower noise at high ISO: 1,121 ISO vs 772 ISO Better color depth: 23.8 bits vs 21.8 bits Significant disadvantages of the DSLR-A580 (vs the DSLR-A500) None found common strengths of the DSLR-A580 and DSLR-A500 Good image stabilization: Sensor shift vs Sensor shift Very good maximum light sensitivity: 12,800 ISO vs 12,800 ISO Flip-out screens
	Compare the DSLR-A580 vs the DSLR-A500
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 similar age	Significant advantages of the DSLR-A550 (vs the DSLR-A500) Much higher resolution screen: 921k dots vs 230k dots Has in-camera HDR Significant disadvantages of the DSLR-A550 (vs the DSLR-A500) None found common strengths of the DSLR-A550 and DSLR-A500 Good image stabilization: Sensor shift vs Sensor shift Very good maximum light sensitivity: 12,800 ISO vs 12,800 ISO Flip-out screens
	Compare the DSLR-A550 vs the DSLR-A500
Nikon D90 1 year older $830 - $897 (body only) $1,200 - $1,299 18-105mm lens	Significant advantages of the D90 (vs the DSLR-A500) Better color depth: 22.7 bits vs 21.8 bits Faster autofocus: Phase detection vs Contrast detection Lower noise at high ISO: 977 ISO vs 772 ISO Significant disadvantages of the D90 (vs the DSLR-A500) No image stabilization: None vs Sensor shift Worse maximum light sensitivity: 3,200 ISO vs 12,800 ISO Screen does not flip out common strengths of the D90 and DSLR-A500 None found
	Compare the Nikon D90 vs the Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
Nikon D5100 1 year newer $500 - $597 (body only) $600 - $697 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the D5100 (vs the DSLR-A500) Much lower noise at high ISO: 1,183 ISO vs 772 ISO Much better image quality: 80.0 vs 64.0 Better color depth: 23.5 bits vs 21.8 bits Significant disadvantages of the D5100 (vs the DSLR-A500) No image stabilization: None vs Sensor shift Worse maximum light sensitivity: 6,400 ISO vs 12,800 ISO Doesn't have a built-in focus motor common strengths of the D5100 and DSLR-A500 Flip-out screens
	Compare the Nikon D5100 vs the Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
Sony Alpha DSLR-A700 2 years older	Significant advantages of the DSLR-A700 (vs the DSLR-A500) Much higher resolution screen: 920k dots vs 230k dots Better color depth: 22.3 bits vs 21.8 bits Much faster max shutter speed: 1/8000 of a second vs 1/4000 of a second Significant disadvantages of the DSLR-A700 (vs the DSLR-A500) No live view Worse maximum light sensitivity: 1,600 ISO vs 12,800 ISO Screen does not flip out common strengths of the DSLR-A700 and DSLR-A500 Good image stabilization: Sensor shift vs Sensor shift Multiple storage slots: 2 vs 2
	Compare the DSLR-A700 vs the DSLR-A500

Generally, some of the advantages of the Sony DSLR-A500 compared to pro DSLR competitors include: it has a slightly larger screen (3.0" vs 2.5"), has better image stabilization (sensor shift vs none), slightly higher maximum light sensitivity (12,800 ISO vs 3,200 ISO), lets you preview your photos on the screen and has a screen which flips out.

However, on average it doesn't record movies (none vs 1080p @ 30fps), has significantly less color depth (21.8 bits vs 22.3 bits), has a significantly lower resolution screen (230k dots vs 920k dots), slightly smaller viewfinder (0.52x vs 0.62x) and takes slightly lower resolution photos (12.2 MP vs 17.9 MP).

Canon EOS 40D 2 years older $650 (body only)	Significant advantages of the 40D (vs the DSLR-A500) Better color depth: 22.1 bits vs 21.8 bits Significantly more lenses available: 162 lenses vs 92 lenses Significantly thinner: 2.9" vs 3.3" Significant disadvantages of the 40D (vs the DSLR-A500) No image stabilization: None vs Sensor shift Screen does not flip out Worse maximum light sensitivity: 1,600 ISO vs 12,800 ISO common strengths of the 40D and DSLR-A500 Fairly small: Professional size 146x108x74 mm vs Professional size 137x104x84 mm Supports RAW Light weight: 822 g vs 630 g
	Compare the Canon EOS 40D vs the Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
Sony SLT A77 2 years newer $1,398 (body only) $1,998 16-50mm lens	Significant advantages of the SLT A77 (vs the DSLR-A500) Better color depth: 24 bits vs 21.8 bits Significantly better image quality: 78.0 vs 64.0 Much higher resolution screen: 921k dots vs 230k dots Significant disadvantages of the SLT A77 (vs the DSLR-A500) Has a digital viewfinder: Digital vs Pentamirror Has fewer storage slots: 1 vs 2 common strengths of the SLT A77 and DSLR-A500 Very good image stabilization: Sensor shift vs Sensor shift Flip-out screens Fairly small: Professional size 143x104x81 mm vs Professional size 137x104x84 mm
	Compare the SLT A77 vs the Alpha DSLR-A500
Canon EOS 60D 1 year newer $848 - $1,304 (body only) $1,177 - $1,342 18-135mm lens	Significant advantages of the 60D (vs the DSLR-A500) Much higher resolution screen: 1,040k dots vs 230k dots Faster autofocus: Phase detection vs Contrast detection Shoots movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs None Significant disadvantages of the 60D (vs the DSLR-A500) No image stabilization: None vs Sensor shift Has fewer storage slots: 1 vs 2 common strengths of the 60D and DSLR-A500 Flip-out screens Fairly small: Professional size 145x106x79 mm vs Professional size 137x104x84 mm Supports RAW
	Compare the Canon EOS 60D vs the Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
Nikon D200 3 years older $1,300 (body only)	Significant advantages of the D200 (vs the DSLR-A500) Faster autofocus: Phase detection vs Contrast detection Better color depth: 22.3 bits vs 21.8 bits Weather sealed Significant disadvantages of the D200 (vs the DSLR-A500) Much smaller screen: 2.5" vs 3.0" No live view No image stabilization: None vs Sensor shift common strengths of the D200 and DSLR-A500 Fairly small: Professional size 147x113x74 mm vs Professional size 137x104x84 mm Supports RAW Built-in flashes
	Compare the Nikon D200 vs the Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
Canon EOS 50D 1 year older $1,282 - $1,350 (body only) $1,950 18-200mm lens	Significant advantages of the 50D (vs the DSLR-A500) Much higher resolution screen: 920k dots vs 230k dots Faster autofocus: Phase detection vs Contrast detection Significantly more lenses available: 162 lenses vs 92 lenses Significant disadvantages of the 50D (vs the DSLR-A500) No image stabilization: None vs Sensor shift Screen does not flip out Has fewer storage slots: 1 vs 2 common strengths of the 50D and DSLR-A500 Fairly small: Professional size 146x108x74 mm vs Professional size 137x104x84 mm Supports RAW Light weight: 822 g vs 630 g
	Compare the Canon EOS 50D vs the Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
Canon EOS 60Da 2 years newer $1,887 (body only)	Significant advantages of the 60Da (vs the DSLR-A500) Much higher resolution screen: 1,040k dots vs 230k dots Faster autofocus: Phase detection vs Contrast detection Shoots movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs None Significant disadvantages of the 60Da (vs the DSLR-A500) No image stabilization: None vs Sensor shift Has fewer storage slots: 1 vs 2 common strengths of the 60Da and DSLR-A500 Flip-out screens Fairly small: Professional size 145x106x79 mm vs Professional size 137x104x84 mm Supports RAW
	Compare the Canon EOS 60Da vs the Sony Alpha DSLR-A500