Canon Rebel
T2i
 vs
Sony
SLT-A55

Updated (August, 2011): Compare the Canon Rebel T3i vs Sony SLT-A65

Sony SLT-A55

62
Winner

Sony SLT-A55
"Image quality gives little cause for complaint, with reliable exposure, color, white balance and focus reliable enough that you can concentrate on the important stuff, like framing and actually taking the picture."
dpreview.com | talking about the SLT-A55's image-quality
"The A55's video mode delivers good quality output that is far better than anything you'd get from a digital compact camera."
dpreview.com | talking about the SLT-A55's video-quality

Reasons to buy the Sony SLT-A55

Overall image quality
 Great image quality
73.0
Color depth
 Great color depth
23 bits
Dynamic range
 Wide dynamic range
12.4 EV
Image stabilization
 Image stabilization
Sensor shift
Light sensitivity
 High ISO
12,800 ISO
Continuous shooting
 Rapid fire
10 fps
Canon EOS Rebel T2i

58
Runner-up

Canon Rebel T2i
"Quite simply, taken as a whole, it is the best camera of its class that we've ever seen, and one of those rare cameras that won't look out of date in a couple of years' time."
dpreview.com | talking about the T2i's overall-performance
"High-spec video mode, including external microphone jack"
dpreview.com | talking about the T2i's video-quality

Reasons to buy the Canon Rebel T2i

Screen resolution
 High resolution screen
1,040k dots
External mic jack
 External mic jack
Record higher quality audio with a microphone
Size
 Really small
Prosumer size 129x98x62 mm
Badge
 Built-in focus motor
Autofocuses with more lenses
Thickness
 Thin
2.4"
Weight
 Light-weight
530 g

differences

Advantages of the Canon T2i
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
Startup delay Less startup delay 400 ms vs 900 ms
Help
 2.2x less delay when turning on
Thickness Much thinner 2.4" vs 3.3"
Help
 Around 30% thinner
Screen resolution Higher resolution screen 1,040k dots vs 921k dots
Help
 More than 10% higher resolution screen
Size Significantly smaller 129x98x62 mm vs 124x92x85 mm
Help
 Around 20% smaller
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 350 shots
Help
 Around 30% more shots per battery charge
Canon EOS Rebel T2i Learn more about
the Canon T2i

Advantages of the Sony SLT-A55
Overall image quality Better image quality 73.0 vs 66.0
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
Image stabilization Image stabilization Sensor shift vs None
Help
 Helps eliminate blur caused by small camera movements
Continuous shooting Shoots much faster 10 fps vs 3.7 fps
Help
 More than 2.5x faster continuous shooting
Color depth Better color depth 23 bits vs 22.1 bits
Help
 Distinguishes 0.9 more bits of color
Autofocus Video autofocus Phase detection vs None
Help
 Automatically focuses shooting video
Panorama Can create panoramas in-camera Yes vs No
Help
 Stitches together multiple photos for a wide perspective
3D Takes 3D photos Yes vs No
Help
 Combines multiple photos into a 3D image
Screen flips out Has a flip-out screen Yes vs No
Help
 Flip-out screens can be helpful when composing tricky shots or taking movies
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
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
Sensor size Significantly larger sensor APS-C 23.5x15.6mm vs APS-C 22.3x14.9mm
Help
 More than 10% larger sensor
Focus points More focus points 15 vs 9
Help
 Set focus accurately within the frame
Low light performance Slightly lower noise at high ISO 816 ISO vs 784 ISO
Help
 The SLT-A55 has a slight edge (0.1 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
Cross type focus points More cross-type focus points 3 vs 1
Help
 Grab focus in difficult situations
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
Shutter lag Less shutter lag 220 ms vs 252 ms
Help
 More than 10% less delay when taking photos
Weight Slightly lighter 500 g vs 530 g
Help
 Around 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 EOS Rebel T2i Canon Rebel T2i
58 vs 62
Explain scores
Sony SLT-A55 Sony SLT-A55
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Sony SLT-A55.

advice

Need help deciding?

Ask the community!
I am considering either the Canon T2i or the Sony SLT-A55,
For example: Taking photos in low light or great family photos or ability to take great photos underwater

Select aspects that are most important to you: (max 3)

Popular tags:

Are you a camera expert? Share your knowledge!
0
votes
by dbarreda last week
Canon T1i vs Canon T2i

I like photography but I am and I will not be dedicated to this, I just want to take good photos...
0
votes
by Pratyush-Havelia last month
Canon 600D vs Sony SLT-A55

I am kind of a beginner. I am looking for good quality photos that take into account both the su...

One person recommends the Sony SLT-A55:

" If u r traveling u gonna love the gps on the camera, else it has much faster frames per second t..."
One person recommends the Canon 600D:

" Canon is sturdy and versatile, which will make it a great camera for traveling in any weather co..."
0
votes
by Krishna-Chaitanya last month
Canon 550D vs Sony SLT-A55

Beginner for a DSLR or an entry-level DSLR. Budget is less than 800 US dollars. looking for best...
0
votes
by traceynaples-yahoo-com last month
Canon T3 vs Canon T2i

I am a beginner. I have a rebel xt which I never used due to it being so large and I did not ha...

One person recommends the Canon T3:

" I think the real advantage of upgrading from the Xt to the T3 is that your maximum ISO would inc..."
0
votes
by tweetprojectk this month
Canon T3 vs Canon T2i

I'm looking to upgrade my existing Canon Powershot to a DSLR for product photography within my b...

similarities

Compared to recent entry-level DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Movie format Both shoot high resolution HD movies Help
1080p @ 30fps
Screen resolution High resolution screens Help
T2i:1,040k dots
SLT-A55:921k dots
Weight Light weight Help
T2i:530 g
SLT-A55:500 g
Fastest shutter speed Slow max shutter speed Help
1/4000 of a second
Storage slots Fewer storage slots Help
1
Battery life Few shots per battery charge Help
T2i:440 shots
SLT-A55:350 shots
Weather sealed Neither is weather sealed Help
Need to shelter it from weather

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Canon Rebel T3i

Canon Rebel T3i

Entry-level DSLR

$619 - $700 body only

$745 - $1,000 with 18-55mm lens
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is slightly heavier
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the Rebel T2i
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the SLT-A55
Nikon D5100

Nikon D5100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $597 body only

$600 - $697 with 18-55mm lens
Low light performance Is significantly less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is slightly heavier
Compare the D5100 vs the Rebel T2i
Compare the D5100 vs the SLT-A55
Nikon D3100

Nikon D3100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $547 with 18-55mm lens
Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Thickness Is thicker
Lens focus motor Doesn't have a built-in focus motor
Compare the D3100 vs the Rebel T2i
Compare the D3100 vs the SLT-A55
Canon Rebel T3

Canon Rebel T3

Entry-level DSLR

$333 body only

$489 - $500 with 18-55mm lens
Battery life Has a significantly longer battery life
Thickness Is thicker
Sensor cleaning Lacks a self cleaning sensor
Compare the Rebel T3 vs the Rebel T2i
Compare the Rebel T3 vs the SLT-A55
Canon EOS 60D

Canon EOS 60D

Pro DSLR

$848 - $1,304 body only

$1,177 - $1,342 with 18-135mm lens
Viewfinder size Slightly larger viewfinder
Viewfinder Has higher quality type of viewfinder
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the EOS 60D vs the Rebel T2i
Compare the EOS 60D vs the SLT-A55
Nikon D90

Nikon D90

Entry-level DSLR

$897 body only

$1,047 with 55-200mm lens
Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Viewfinder size Slightly larger viewfinder
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the D90 vs the Rebel T2i
Compare the D90 vs the SLT-A55
Nikon D3200

Nikon D3200

Entry-level DSLR

$699 - $700 with 18-55mm lens
True resolution Takes significantly higher resolution photos
Thickness Is thicker
Lens focus motor Doesn't have a built-in focus motor
Compare the D3200 vs the Rebel T2i
Compare the D3200 vs the SLT-A55

Canon EOS Rebel T2i Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Canon EOS Rebel T1i

Canon Rebel T1i

Entry-level DSLR

$471 - $629 body only

$549 - $580 with 18-55mm lens
Shutter lag Significantly less shutter lag
Startup delay Slightly less startup delay
Color depth Worse color depth
Low light performance More noise at high ISO
Compare the Rebel T1i vs the Rebel T2i

Sony SLT-A55 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Sony SLT A57

Sony SLT A57

Entry-level DSLR

$698 - $700 body only

$798 - $800 with 18-55mm lens
Supports 24p Supports 24p
Continuous shooting Shoots faster
GPS No built-in GPS
Size Larger
Compare the SLT A57 vs the SLT-A55
Sony SLT-A65

Sony SLT A65

Entry-level DSLR

$898 body only

$998 with 18-55mm lens
True resolution Much higher true resolution
Supports 24p Supports 24p
Low light performance More noise at high ISO
Size Larger
Compare the SLT A65 vs the SLT-A55
Sony Alpha DSLR-A580

Sony Alpha DSLR-A580

Entry-level DSLR

$949 with 55-200mm lens
Low light performance Significantly lower noise at high ISO
Overall image quality Better image quality
GPS No built-in GPS
Continuous shooting Shoots significantly slower
Compare the Alpha DSLR-A580 vs the SLT-A55

appearance

Canon EOS Rebel T2i Sony SLT-A55
Canon EOS Rebel T2i Sony SLT-A55
Canon EOS Rebel T2i Sony SLT-A55

discussion

Showing 10 comments

Dpearso (7:25 PM, December 19, 2011)
I agree that sony lost due to points for popularity ...... what i am concerned about is what was posted regarding quality of the sony ....... i want to get the sony due to the video on the a55 being much better with focus etc, but i am concerned about the quality issues brought up by 'getarealcamera' above. I have never had a problem with sony products.... have some point and shoots and trv 900 great video cam in the past ..... so will look into the quality issue for the a55 as per comments above. regards  
 
Rompuck8 (9:23 PM, December 06, 2011)
I totally agree, especially it said to see snapshot make comments leaning towards canon and nikon and never make any comments on a true superiority of sony in terms of picture quality. I am noy buying a camera cause its popular i simply want a geat picture, so stop making popularity, screen quality,and other useless nonsense win in ratings over picture quality specs. Snapshot plays favorites with canon, common!
 
Avatar for Steve Michael Steve Michael (9:34 PM, October 26, 2011)
I was considering both cameras and have absolutely no bias toward ANY camera.  Having said that I can't understand how the Sony lost, are there really that many camera fanboys?  I guess I could understand if you took cost in to account, but if you start to do that then wouldn't every review be extremely odd.  You might have a $175 point and shoot crushing a $5k camera on cost alone.    

Do people on the web just hate Sony that much or are there that many Canon fanboys?  
 
Inspector (9:26 PM, September 02, 2011)
Exactly....lets use real numbers and leave popularity out of the whole deal......number tell what camera does the better job....forget about the cannon and Nikon fanboys....there days are numbered....Sony is the big dog on the block now.....Much better cameras looking ONLY and the specs and tests.
 
123topu (5:38 PM, April 19, 2011)
if u compare sony a55 to canon 7D than sony DSLR is dead. As canon 550D is very similar to 7d xecept fps n few other things. 550D easily bit up a55
550d rocks!!!!!!!!!
 
Woody_1920 (5:51 AM, February 26, 2011)
very bad budy, sony its much better than canon t2i
 
Avatar for John Hayes John Hayes (6:31 PM, February 07, 2011)
If you take popularity out of the equation, everything else pegs the Sony as the better camera. I'm no pro photographer, so I don't know which is better, but I think while popularity is valuable, it should perhaps be given less weight. After all, if you compare a 750$ camera to a similar but not quite as good 500$ camera in a weak economy, the cheaper camera will certainly earn more popularity points among amateurs. Also, if a camera has been on the market twice as long as its competitor, its popularity is again skewed. While I do look at popularity in snapsort's evaluations, I think it would be great if snapsort made it possible for viewers to toggle its effect on and off. After all, popularity ratings don't always define quality: GW? Favre? Michael Jackson? The Fockers?
 
Getarealcamera (1:59 AM, February 03, 2011)
Yes T2i is a much much better camera than A55. Sony is a toy made for the masses with little experience in photography. Sony can't match T2i's image quality so they come up with bunch of gadgets that are really not that useful. I have nothing against new technology, I'm all for the underdog, but the funny thing is Sony is no underdog. Its like Canon trying to make a TV and claiming all their 'new technology' and gadgets are revolutionary and the end result is that their Canon TV is as sharp, if not sharper, then Sony who have been making Tvs for decades. All one has to do is watch the TVs side by side. Thats exactly what you need to do, LOOK at the end pictures each camera takes. The internet are full of reviews comparing the resulting IQ. Goto the store and take the pictures for yourself, save it on your SDHC, and go home and compare them.
I mean they can built a Nintendo into the Sony camera to distract you it still doesn't change the fact that Canon is still the superior camera.
Canons are just good at what they do. Our company owned a Canon and 3 Sonys cameras past 3 years. Today, we still have the Canon, a little banged up, but shoots are clearly as the 1st day we bought it. The Sonys, 2 of them broke in less than 2 years, when we went to get an estimate, it would cost almost as much to fix it then to buy a newer model. And the last Sony, hardly used, stopped working 6 months ago. Canon just keeps on ticking and ticking. Sure that says nothing about newer Canons and Sonys but judging by the history, I would buy Canon over Sony anytime of the week. If I wanted GPS, autofocus, etc, etc, I would buy a GPS and a Camcorder for 1/2 the price of A55. What is funny is that Canon 550D actually has better control in video mode. Autofocus is just a gimmic on the A55. Given enough practice, you can manual focus as efficiently as Sony BUT you can also control the AV, and whole sets of other crucial settings when shooting video. That is why Canon 550D will always be superior to Sony.
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (1:08 AM, January 03, 2011)
What is your reasoning for saying the Sony SLT-A55 is better then the Canon Rebel T2i? You can see in our Scoring section that one of the reasons we gave the T2i the advantage is because it is one of the most popular cameras out there: http://snpsrt.com/gnMUO4
 
kalpurush (1:00 AM, January 03, 2011)
T2i is better than a55?!!! What a surprise!!
a55 is much better dSLR as per your reasons to consider a55, not T2i.