Sony SLT A33

Retailer
Style
Color

	Price

	Body only Unknown Kit Unknown


	Snapsort rank

	Among similar cameras #n/a of 6 details

	Key specs

	Sensor size APS-C 23.5x15.6mm Screen resolution 921k dots
	Megapixels 14 MP Movie format 1080p @ 30fps
	Screen size 3" Light sensitivity 12,800 ISO
	see all specifications

	Lenses

Browse Sony SLT-A33 lenses at LensHero

Sony has replaced the SLT A33 with the A35.

Sony SLT A35 announced June 2011

	Lower noise at high ISO
	Better image quality
	Better color depth

Compare the new Sony SLT A35 vs the SLT A33

"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

"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

"Headline grabbing burst shooting speeds, fast auto-focus for both stills and video."

photographyblog.com | talking about the camera's auto-focus

Explore our gallery of 50 sample photos taken by the Sony SLT-A33.

Sony SLT-A33 Hands on Review

Review
Pro
Ergonomics

SONY SLT-A33 test video AVCHD ...

Tutorial
Shooting video

Sony SLT-A33 Review

Review
Amateur
Ergonomics
Image quality

Report a correction

The Sony SLT A33 vs other recent entry-level DSLRs

	Rapid fire
	7 fps

	Takes 3D photos
	View photos in 3D on 3D televisions

	External mic jack
	Record higher quality audio with a microphone

	In-camera panoramas
	Stitches together multiple photos into a panorama

	Flip-out screen
	Great for movies

	Autofocuses shooting video
	Phase detection

	Movie continuous focus
	Makes it easy to get in-focus movies

	Light
	500 g

Report a correction

The Sony SLT A33 vs other recent entry-level DSLRs

	Very noisy at high ISO
	591 ISO

	Less color depth
	22.8 bits

	Low resolution screen
	921k dots

	Longer startup delay
	800 ms startup delay

	No touch screen
	More buttons

	No weather sealing
	Need to shelter it from weather

	Fewer cross-type focus points
	3

	Slightly fewer lenses available
	126 lenses

	Uses battery, see less detail
	Digital

	No GPS
	Missing geo-tagging

	No focus motor
	Won't autofocus with all lenses

	Slow shutter speed
	1/4000 of a second

	Low overall image quality
	70.0

	Full HD
	1080p @ 30fps

	Below average sized screen
	3"

	No 24p movies
	Missing that film look

	Lower true resolution
	14 MP

	Shorter battery life
	270 shots

	Fewer focus points
	15

	Longer shutter lag
	215 ms shutter lag

	Old
	August 2010

	Very low boost light sensitivity
	25,600 ISO

	Thick
	3.3"

	Not so popular
	Among snapsort users

Image quality data for the Sony SLT A33 provided by DxOMark

SLT A33

Sony

Report a correction

Showing 25 comments

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) !

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.

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

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

thing fishs

(0:47 PM, April 21, 2011)

Ah, LensHero - Thanks!

Snapsort

(0:44 PM, April 19, 2011)

Glad you found Snapsort helpful. The site you are looking for is our sister site LensHero.

thing fishs

(4:19 AM, April 19, 2011)

Thanks very much for this info Joyce!

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?

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

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

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...

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.

Sony SLT A33

Summary Sony SLT A33

Replacement

reviewsWhat are people saying about the A33

gallery

Videos

Pros

The Sony SLT A33 vs other recent entry-level DSLRs

Cons

The Sony SLT A33 vs other recent entry-level DSLRs

dxomark

Appearance

Discussion

Showing 25 comments