Updated (May, 2012): Compare the Canon Rebel T4i vs Sony SLT-A65

Sony SLT-A55
Winner
Sony SLT-A55

62

vs
Canon Rebel T3i

60

Canon Rebel T3i
Runner-up
 
 
 
 

Reasons to buy the Sony SLT-A55

Color depth
 Great color depth
23 bits
Dynamic range
 Wide dynamic range
12.4 EV
Image stabilization
 Image stabilization
Sensor shift
Continuous shooting
 Rapid fire
10 fps
 

Reasons to buy the Canon Rebel T3i

Screen resolution
 High resolution screen
1,040k dots
Screen flips out
 Flip-out screen
Great for movies
Badge
 Built-in focus motor
Autofocuses with more lenses
 
Differences | Recommendations | Similarities | Competitors | Appearance | Discussion

differences

Advantages of the Canon T3i
Supports 24p Supports 24p Yes vs No
Help
 Get that real film feel
Viewfinder Has an optical viewfinder Pentamirror vs Digital
Help
 Optical viewfinders save battery life and are more detailed
Lens availability Significantly more lenses available 162 lenses vs 92 lenses
Help
 Around 80% more lenses available
Screen resolution Higher resolution screen 1,040k dots vs 921k dots
Help
 More than 10% higher resolution screen
True resolution Higher true resolution 17.9 MP vs 16 MP
Help
 Capture more than 10% more detail in your photos
Battery life Longer battery life 440 shots vs 330 shots
Help
 More than 30% more shots per battery charge
Lowest price Much cheaper $549.00 vs $1,098.34
Help
 The best price we've seen is $549 cheaper (2x less)
Thickness Thinner 3.1" vs 3.3"
Help
 Around 10% thinner
Canon Rebel T3i Learn more about
the Canon T3i

Advantages of the Sony SLT-A55
Overall image quality Better image quality 73.0 vs 65.0
Help
 More than 10% better image quality
Dynamic range More dynamic range 12.4 EV vs 11.5 EV
Help
 0.9 f-stops more dynamic range
Continuous shooting Shoots much faster 10 fps vs 3.7 fps
Help
 More than 2.5x faster continuous shooting
Autofocus Video autofocus Phase detection vs None
Help
 Automatically focuses shooting video
Image stabilization Image stabilization Sensor shift vs None
Help
 Helps eliminate blur caused by small camera movements
HDR Has in-camera HDR Yes vs No
Help
 Combines multiple exposures to capture high dynamic range
GPS Has a GPS Yes vs No
Help
 Automatically geotags your photos when traveling
3D Takes 3D photos Yes vs No
Help
 Combines multiple photos into a 3D image
Color depth Better color depth 23 bits vs 22.1 bits
Help
 Distinguishes 0.9 more bits of color
Sensor size Significantly larger sensor APS-C 23.5x15.6mm vs APS-C 22.3x14.9mm
Help
 More than 10% larger sensor
Panorama Can create panoramas in-camera Yes vs No
Help
 Stitches together multiple photos for a wide perspective
Startup delay Less startup delay 900 ms vs 1500 ms
Help
 40% less delay when turning on
Shutter lag Less shutter lag 220 ms vs 283 ms
Help
 More than 20% less delay when taking photos
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 12,800 ISO vs 6,400 ISO
Help
 The SLT-A55's maximum light sensitivity is 1 f-stop better
Light sensitivity (boost) Better boost ISO 25,600 ISO vs 12,800 ISO
Help
 The SLT-A55's boost ISO is 1 f-stop better
Focus points More focus points 15 vs 9
Help
 Set focus accurately within the frame
Size Smaller 124x92x85 mm vs 133x99x79 mm
Help
 Around 10% smaller
Cross type focus points More cross-type focus points 3 vs 1
Help
 Grab focus in difficult situations
Weight Lighter 500 g vs 570 g
Help
 More than 10% lighter
Sony SLT-A55 Learn more about
the Sony SLT-A55
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent entry-level DSLRs, and ignoring price

Canon Rebel T3i Canon Rebel T3i
60 vs 62
Explain scores
Sony SLT-A55 Sony SLT-A55
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Sony SLT-A55.

similarities

Compared to recent entry-level DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Screen flips out Flip-out screens Help
Great for movies
Fastest shutter speed Slow max shutter speed Help
1/4000 of a second
Thickness Quite thick Help
T3i:3.1"
SLT-A55:3.3"
Battery life Few shots per battery charge Help
T3i:440 shots
SLT-A55:330 shots
Weather sealed Neither is weather sealed Help
Need to shelter it from weather
Low light performance Above average noise at high ISO Help
T3i:793 ISO
SLT-A55:816 ISO

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon D5100

Nikon D5100

Entry-level DSLR

$497 body only

$585 - $805 with 18-55mm lens
Low light performance Is significantly less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Weight Is slightly heavier
Lens focus motor Doesn't have a built-in focus motor
Compare the D5100 vs the Rebel T3i
Compare the D5100 vs the SLT-A55
Canon Rebel T4i

Canon Rebel T4i

Entry-level DSLR

$580 - $799 body only

$731 - $899 with 18-55mm lens
Touch screen Has a touch screen
Cross type focus points Has significantly more cross-type focus points
Weight Is slightly heavier
Size Is slightly larger
Compare the Rebel T4i vs the Rebel T3i
Compare the Rebel T4i vs the SLT-A55
Nikon D3200

Nikon D3200

Entry-level DSLR

$547 with 18-55mm lens
Low light performance Is significantly less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Lens focus motor Doesn't have a built-in focus motor
Shutter lag Has slightly more shutter lag
Compare the D3200 vs the Rebel T3i
Compare the D3200 vs the SLT-A55
Canon EOS 60D

Canon EOS 60D

Pro DSLR

$649 - $968 body only

$949 - $1,182 with 18-135mm lens
Viewfinder size Slightly larger viewfinder
Weather sealed Has a weather sealed body
Weight Is much heavier
Size Is much larger
Compare the EOS 60D vs the Rebel T3i
Compare the EOS 60D vs the SLT-A55
Canon EOS Rebel T2i

Canon Rebel T2i

Entry-level DSLR

$540 body only

$609 with 18-55mm lens
Startup delay Has slightly less startup delay
Size Is much smaller
Screen flips out Doesn't have a screen which flips out
Compare the Rebel T2i vs the Rebel T3i
Compare the Rebel T2i vs the SLT-A55
Nikon D3100

Nikon D3100

Entry-level DSLR

$447 - $740 with 18-55mm lens
Startup delay Has slightly less startup delay
Battery life Has a slightly longer battery life
Lens focus motor Doesn't have a built-in focus motor
External mic jack Lacks and external mic jack
Compare the D3100 vs the Rebel T3i
Compare the D3100 vs the SLT-A55
Nikon D5200

Nikon D5200

Entry-level DSLR

$697 body only

$797 with 18-55mm lens
Low light performance Is significantly less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has significantly better image quality
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Weight Is slightly heavier
Compare the D5200 vs the Rebel T3i
Compare the D5200 vs the SLT-A55

Canon Rebel T3i Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Canon Rebel T3

Canon Rebel T3

Entry-level DSLR

$328 body only

$449 with 18-55mm lens
Startup delay Significantly less startup delay
Battery life Significantly longer battery life
Movie format Lower resolution movies
Screen resolution Much lower resolution screen
Compare the Rebel T3 vs the Rebel T3i
Canon Rebel T5i

Canon Rebel T5i

Entry-level DSLR

$749 - $871 body only

$899 with 18-55mm lens
Autofocus Video autofocus
Touch screen Has a touch screen
Color depth Worse color depth
Low light performance More noise at high ISO
Compare the Rebel T5i vs the Rebel T3i

Sony SLT-A55 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Sony SLT-A65

Sony SLT A65

Entry-level DSLR

$587 - $648 body only

$748 - $1,005 with 18-55mm lens
True resolution Much higher true resolution
Supports 24p Supports 24p
Startup delay Much more startup delay
Low light performance More noise at high ISO
Compare the SLT A65 vs the SLT-A55
Sony Alpha DSLR-A580

Sony Alpha DSLR-A580

Entry-level DSLR

$619 - $779 with 18-55mm lens
Low light performance Significantly lower noise at high ISO
Battery life Much longer battery life
GPS No built-in GPS
Continuous shooting Shoots significantly slower
Compare the Alpha DSLR-A580 vs the SLT-A55

appearance

Canon Rebel T3i Sony SLT-A55
Canon Rebel T3i Sony SLT-A55
Canon Rebel T3i Sony SLT-A55

discussion

Showing 15 comments

Spaced Out (1:11 AM, January 31, 2012)
Did you ever figure out the problem with the over heating? Was it just a defect or something?
 
Kaylacavanagh (11:36 PM, January 11, 2012)
The Sony A55is FAR superior to the T3i (having tried both). Get the Sony and don't look back! This rating system is biased because it is not as popular of a brand.
 
Tom (2:03 AM, January 11, 2012)
I know many people will tell you Canon makes better Cameras but Sony is actually much better. Dont get me wrong Canon cameras are fantastic but sony has better ones specially with the carl zeiss Lenses.
 
Jack2002 (2:00 AM, January 11, 2012)
I purchased the T3i but when I actually compared it to my friends A55 I really noticed the difference. In my point of view the Sony is much better in picture quality and futures. I returned the Canon and got my Self the A55 and LOVE IT. Its an amazing camera and does everything I want.
 
ampictaker (1:06 PM, September 06, 2011)
This rating system is silly.  The a55 outshines the T3i in almost every aspect.  I assume it gets -25 points off the top just because the name is "Sony."
 
Avatar for 440rt 440rt (2:55 PM, September 05, 2011)
I bought the Sony a55 and it went back to the store in 5 days. I'm not a professional but I know what looks good. The canon t3i offers remote capture with a laptop and Sony does not. The images seem to be better on the t3i too. Sony did have its advantage with using my Minolta lenses that I have. But for me I need the ability to work the camera with my laptop in remote capture. This is Just my opinion. I think the viewer on the Sony is awesome (better than the picture). Where the viewer is great on the canon but the picture is awesome. One more thing. The way the screen open and tilts is also better on the canon and does not interfere with the tripod. But the Sony does. Again for me I need the tripod for my shots. The Sony is lighter. to carry. Hope this helps someone with their purchase.
 
Confused (11:17 PM, August 19, 2011)
I'm told that professionals only use Nikon and Cannon. I have a Sony point and shoot and I love it. I'm obviously no professional, but why don't these photographers use the Sony cameras? This comparison seems so lopsided to the Sony, but every store I go to they don't even mention this camera, they bypass it and go to the Cannon or Nikon cameras even though they are right beside eachother?! HELP!!!
 
Ununquadium (1:47 PM, July 21, 2011)
How does popularity determine the better camera? Clearly the a55 is superior, regardless of the verdict given here.
 
BravoCharlie (10:35 AM, July 16, 2011)
Hey, i had just bought A55: pictures were just stunning; 10 frames/ sec. is awesome, just shots well with my son's soccer game, not missing any good moments; handheld twilight is just great, i love it. Whatever the cons are, pretty neglible for personal use, or for an entry level camera.
 
Avatar for iangarlic iangarlic (10:29 AM, June 29, 2011)
i have the a55 and it overheats after 10 minutes of video shooting even with image stabilization and gps off. then you cant shoot video for more then 2 min
 
Toshio (11:47 AM, June 20, 2011)
There is no questions for this competition. I will choose SONY Alfa 55. But I am just waiting an official sales statement of Sony Alfa 77 in order to get '55' with a low price.
 
Cuyo (8:28 PM, May 28, 2011)
I'm buying one of those and I think that will be the Sony...
 
hand (6:31 PM, May 24, 2011)
are you sure, i would rather have continuous AF (especially as good as the sony's) in movies than 24p. 
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (1:18 PM, April 25, 2011)
The Sony is a great camera, but the Canon has more lens options and a better video mode.
 
Avatar for nkalu nkalu (7:35 PM, April 23, 2011)
Which one should I buy? They both look cool.