Sony SLT-A33

APS-C, 14 MP, 3.0"

Summary Sony SLT-A33

Prices Price
Body only Unknown Kit Unknown
Score Snapsort rank
Among similar cameras #n/a of 19
details
Specifications Key specs
Sensor size Help APS-C 23.5x15.6mm Screen resolution Help 921k dots
Megapixels Help 14 MP Movie format Help 1080p @ 30fps
Screen size Help 3.0" Light sensitivity Help 12,800 ISO
see all specifications
Lenses Lenses
Browse all Sony SLT-A33 lenses at LensHero
Sony SLT-A33Sony SLT-A33

Replacement

Sony has replaced the SLT-A33 with the A35.

Sony SLT A35
Sony SLT A35 announced June, 2011
Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO
Overall image quality Better image quality
Color depth Better color depth

Compare the new Sony SLT A35 vs the SLT-A33

reviewsWhat are people saying about the SLT-A33

"The Sony A33 produced images of excellent quality."
photographyblog.com | talking about the camera's image-quality
"The Sony range over either Canon or Nikon is that the A33 features built-in sensor shift image stabilization, hence no need to spend extra on specialist lenses to help combat camera shake."
photographyblog.com | talking about the camera's image-stabilization
"The Sony A33 is a great marriage of new and old, competitively priced to take on the best that mid-range DSLRs and Compact System Cameras can offer."
photographyblog.com | talking about the camera's overall-performance

Videos

Sony SLT-A33 Hands on Review

SONY SLT-A33 test video AVCHD ...

Sony SLT-A33 Review
Sony SLT-A33 Hands on Review
  • Review
  • Pro
  • Ergonomics
 SONY SLT-A33 test video AVCHD 1080i
  • Tutorial
  • Shooting video
 Sony SLT-A33 Review
  • Review
  • Amateur
  • Ergonomics
  • Image quality

Pros

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The Sony SLT-A33 vs other recent entry-level DSLRs

Autofocus Phase detection video autofocus Help
fast and accurate
Movie continuous focus Movie continuous focus Help
Makes it easy to get in-focus movies
3D Takes 3D photos Help
View photos in 3D on 3D televisions
Weight Light Help
500 g
Image stabilization Image stabilization Help
Sensor shift
Screen flips out Flip-out screen Help
Great for movies
Panorama In-camera panoramas Help
Stitches together multiple photos into a panorama

Cons

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The Sony SLT-A33 vs other recent entry-level DSLRs

Low light performance Very noisy at high ISO Help
591 ISO
Overall image quality Low overall image quality Help
70.0
Lens availability Slightly fewer lenses available Help
123 lenses
Cross type focus points Fewer cross-type focus points Help
3
Announced Old Help
August, 2010
Thickness Thick Help
3.3"
Fastest shutter speed Slow shutter speed Help
1/4000 of a second
Movie format Full HD Help
1080p @ 30fps
True resolution Lower true resolution Help
14 MP
Supports 24p No 24p movies Help
Missing that film look
Weather sealed No weather sealing Help
Need to shelter it from weather
Viewfinder Uses battery, see less detail Help
Digital
Battery life Very short battery life Help
270 shots
Popularity Not so popular Help
Among snapsort users

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Discussion

Sony SLT-A33
SLT-A33
Sony

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Showing 25 comments

Avatar for Bryan Buenaventura Bryan Buenaventura (3:06 AM, February 11, 2014)
Hi.. I have a doubt to switch to sony a33 or sony a55. Can you help me which is much better,? Because i have canon 500d and i want to change it to sony do you think sony a33 is better than canon 500d.? Thanks
 
Aurora6119 (9:15 AM, April 05, 2012)
i have an a33, i think it's a great camera for migrating from a DC to a DSLR, everything is easy to use and the fact that there's a panorama mode is a great advantage, the model itself is very very light compared to the other DSLRs, although i have to admit it is quite expensive for what you get...
 
Ray (8:11 AM, November 21, 2011)
I also bought the a33 and it does have some impressive features, panoramic, low light, HD video etc but the real killer is the poor over exposed shots you get from using the non-optical veiw finder which is the result of the the inovative SLT over SLR. 

After a couple of months and a few holidays im looking at the D7000 or the EOS 60D. 
If yhe Sony had a real optical veiw finder it would definitly be a winner. The LCD display is great but in direct sunlight gives very little impression of how the photo will actualy come out. 

I did manage to get some decent shots out of the a33 after learning how to compensate for the poor SLT view finder but the standard lens is alo junk and has poor action for zooming expecialy while video recording. 

If you cant afford the next level of Pro products then buy the body and get a real minolta lens 
should make a world of difference. Overall i would give the a33 6.75 out of 10. Could have been a real winner if not for SLT.

Thanks for the excellent site and great work.
 
Kishu27 (6:16 PM, November 15, 2011)
Hi Kartik, I am in similar dillema, let me know where are you picking your A33 from as my dealer is asking for 30k
 
karthik (4:34 PM, October 02, 2011)
hi snapsort ,
I am stuck in between sony slt a33 and nikon d3100...tell me which is better??? i am getting very gud discount on sony slt a33..after discount it will cost 24.5k...which would u choose ? 
 
Anesa (2:36 AM, September 05, 2011)
I was thinking about the nikon D3100 too! but i'm in love with my Sony a33 :)  the panoramic photos are a great plus.
 
Anesa (2:34 AM, September 05, 2011)
When i wanted a camera i was thinking about a canon or a nikon.... I search for a loooot of reviews of similar cameras but in the end i bought a Sony a33. My friends have canon within this range of price and my sony a33 is muuuuch better than theirs. You can take panoramic photos, change colors, and so many things. I couldn't be happier with my sony. If you have a bit more money you should look for the sony a55, although it doesn't have  importante differences (gps, more mp and takes faster photos).
The only bad thing i find is the battery life... but with a replacement battery you'll be fine.
 
TA (11:13 PM, August 26, 2011)
Technically, it's not a mirrorless camera (like all Sony's SLT) !
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (1:14 PM, April 28, 2011)
The a33 has a very high ISO so yes should be able to take night photos. A while back Snapsort put together a infographic on low light photography which is worth taking a look at.
 
Avatar for Jerome Aaron Mejia Jerome Aaron Mejia (6:52 AM, April 28, 2011)
hi please reply, does the a33 produce excellent night time pictures like capturing city skyline and nightlights
 
Avatar for Za1n Za1n (3:15 AM, April 27, 2011)
i am getting a very decent discount for this camera
now i am confused between nikon d3100, sony nex3 , sony a55
and sony a 33
please help me with selection
 
Avatar for thing fishs thing fishs (0:47 PM, April 21, 2011)
Ah, LensHero - Thanks!
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (0:44 PM, April 19, 2011)
Glad you found Snapsort helpful. The site you are looking for is our sister site LensHero.
 
Avatar for thing fishs thing fishs (4:19 AM, April 19, 2011)
Thanks very much for this info Joyce!
 
Avatar for thing fishs thing fishs (4:18 AM, April 19, 2011)
Hi Snapsort,

thanks heaps for this site. It made the months long, arduous task of camera choice SO much easier - well in a way it made it possible... With a regular flawed human brain, trying to keep in mind the multitude of variables, especially across different classes of camera, is nigh on impossible without such a resource. Ultimately, as someone equally interested in video and stills, it came down to the GH2 or the A33/55. All good, but from a bang for buck POV the A33 was a clear winner (I purchased with the standard 18-55mm lens for $780 AUD). I have been very pleased with the resulting technology - my only issue (rather a significant one), was filming my mate's wedding and the camera overheated and stopped filming 10 seconds before "I now pronounce you..."!! :-( THEN, I found out that I could've filmed for half an hour if I hadn't had the steadyshot on - ah well, live and learn. ;-)

FWIW is a minor error in it's specs - it only has one storage slot. Also I have come across what appears to be a sister site of this, dealing with lens rather than cameras - except I can't find it again. What is this site?
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (5:27 PM, April 18, 2011)
Ha ha, we are glad you like your camera
 
Jakeymarmot (5:13 PM, April 18, 2011)
This is amazing. When its next to me, or when im holding it
I subconsciously stoke it
its as close to true love as a person can get to a camera
 
Amir (10:31 PM, April 02, 2011)
I love my a33 it is better than canon t3i any way I love Sony product , I have 65 inch sony lcd tv , I am really happy with Sony. I love Sony products.
 
Jen (6:14 PM, March 24, 2011)
I am impressed with my new a33! I am still getting to know how to use a non point and shoot camera so I can not really compare it to other SLRs. I can tell you I have not experienced it heating up (some blogs mentioned this as a con). After handling the d3100 and the sony a33, I chose the a33 because of its amazing auto focusing video mode – much faster than the d3100.
 
pal (0:53 PM, February 28, 2011)
Operating Mode/Number of Shots

Electronic Viewfinder(CIPA standard)/270

Live View LCD(CIPA standard)/340
 
Avatar for annysucks annysucks (8:29 AM, February 28, 2011)
what about battery life?
how many shots can i take and compared with others camera's battery ??
 
Joyce-gene (6:42 PM, February 23, 2011)
You can buy new replacement batteries for the a33 & a55 on ebay. They heve twice the Mah capacity of the oem battery.
2200 v 1080
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (2:32 PM, February 16, 2011)
We are glad we could help you. If you are thinking of buying online Snapsort has a best prices section.
We hope you enjoy your camera.
 
pal (2:16 PM, February 16, 2011)
thnx Snapsort ... i m leaning towards Sony SLT A33 cause of its flip out screen and amazing AF during live mode and plus on ur views 8-) ... love ur site keep it up and i wud recommend every 1 to have a look at ur site before buying a camera...
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (1:53 PM, February 16, 2011)
If you have not had the opportunity to read our comparison of the Sony A33 vs Nikon d3100 then feel free to take a look. They are both great cameras, if you are willing to spend the extra money then the SLR-A33 appears to be the better camera. The SLT-A33 has a built-in focus motor which means it should be able to autofocuses with all lenses, with the D3100 you will need to buy a lens with a focus motor built into it (which can be more expensive). I do not think you will be disappointed with the D3100 either, its a solid camera.