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Canon 550D vs Sony A57

Portability
70
Imaging
58
Features
63
Overall
60
Canon EOS 550D front
 
Sony SLT-A57 front
Portability
64
Imaging
58
Features
85
Overall
68

Canon 550D vs Sony A57 Key Specs

Canon 550D
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Expand to 12800)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Canon EF/EF-S Mount
  • 530g - 129 x 98 x 62mm
  • Announced April 2010
  • Alternative Name is EOS Rebel T2i / EOS Kiss X4
  • Earlier Model is Canon 500D
  • Later Model is Canon 600D
Sony A57
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 16000 (Bump to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 618g - 132 x 98 x 81mm
  • Released September 2012
  • Previous Model is Sony A55
  • Refreshed by Sony A58
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Canon 550D vs Sony A57 Overview

Below, we will be analyzing the Canon 550D and Sony A57, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by rivals Canon and Sony. The resolution of the 550D (18MP) and the A57 (16MP) is relatively similar and they feature the exact same sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The 550D was introduced 3 years earlier than the A57 which is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before delving in to a thorough comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the 550D grades versus the A57 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon 550D over the Sony A57

 550D A57 
Screen resolution1040k921kCrisper screen (+119k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A57 over the Canon 550D

 A57 550D 
ReleasedSeptember 2012April 2010Newer by 29 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Canon 550D and Sony A57

 550D A57 
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurements
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Canon 550D vs Sony A57 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to travel with your camera, you need to factor its weight and proportions. The Canon 550D enjoys outer measurements of 129mm x 98mm x 62mm (5.1" x 3.9" x 2.4") and a weight of 530 grams (1.17 lbs) while the Sony A57 has measurements of 132mm x 98mm x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2") and a weight of 618 grams (1.36 lbs).

Check out the Canon 550D and Sony A57 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilising at the time. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the 550D and the A57.

Canon 550D vs Sony A57 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the 550D and A57 is 70 and 64 respectively.

Canon 550D vs Sony A57 top view buttons comparison

Canon 550D vs Sony A57 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very difficult to picture the gap between sensor dimensions only by going over specifications. The pic underneath may offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the 550D and A57.

To sum up, the two cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different MP. You can count on the Canon 550D to offer greater detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The more aged 550D is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon 550D vs Sony A57 sensor size comparison

Canon 550D vs Sony A57 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 550D vs Sony A57 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 550D Portrait photography information
Sony A57 Portrait photography information
74
manual focus
decent MP (18MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features face detect focusing
exports RAW files
74
manual focus
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Canon 550D Street photography factors
Sony A57 Street photography factors
60
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
76
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Canon 550D as a Sports photography camera
Sony A57 as a Sports photography camera
54
decent MP (18 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
slow fps (4.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
terrible battery power (470 per charge)
79
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
supports phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon 550D as a Travel photography camera
Sony A57 as a Travel photography camera
55
decent MP (18MP)
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse recording
terrible battery power (470 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
67
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
no Time Lapse function
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 550D as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A57 as a Landscape photography camera
63
manual focus
change lenses (Canon EF/EF-S mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
decent MP (18MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no image stabilization
terrible battery power (470 per charge)
does not have Timelapse recording
73
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 550D Vlogging factors
Sony A57 Vlogging factors
31
features face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have microphone socket
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
77
display is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with mic support
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Canon 550D vs Sony A57 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 550D and Sony A57
 Canon EOS 550DSony SLT-A57
General Information
Brand Name Canon Sony
Model type Canon EOS 550D Sony SLT-A57
Also called EOS Rebel T2i / EOS Kiss X4 -
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2010-04-01 2012-09-13
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4 -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 22.3 x 14.9mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 332.3mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 5184 x 3456 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 6400 16000
Highest boosted ISO 12800 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 15
Cross type focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mount type Canon EF/EF-S Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 326 143
Focal length multiplier 1.6 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 1,040k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT color liquid-crystal LCD Xtra Fine TFT drive with TruBlack technology
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440k dots
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x 0.7x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 4.0 frames/s 12.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 13.00 m 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/200 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 480 (60, 50 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 530 grams (1.17 lbs) 618 grams (1.36 lbs)
Dimensions 129 x 98 x 62mm (5.1" x 3.9" x 2.4") 132 x 98 x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 66 75
DXO Color Depth rating 22.0 23.4
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.6 13.0
DXO Low light rating 807 785
Other
Battery life 470 pictures 550 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LP-E8 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 sec or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $599 $1,000