Canon 700D vs Sony A560: An Expert Comparison to Choose Your Next DSLR

In the crowded field of entry-level DSLRs, the Canon EOS 700D (Rebel T5i) and the Sony Alpha A560 stand out as compelling options that have served eager photographers well. Though both models came out several years ago - Canon’s in 2013 and Sony’s in 2010 - they continue to attract enthusiasts stepping into DSLR photography or expanding from smartphone cameras. Today, we’ll delve deeply into these two cameras with hands-on insights and technical analysis to help you understand their real-world capabilities, strengths, and limitations across photography disciplines.

Whether you’re focusing on portraits, landscapes, sports, or video, this comparison will clarify how each camera performs, which design suits your style, and which offers the best balance of features and value for your creative journey.

Quick Specs Snapshot

Designing Your Grip – Handling and Ergonomics

Picking up the Canon 700D and Sony A560, you’ll immediately perceive subtle differences in handling that impact long shooting sessions and user comfort.

Canon 700D:

• Body Size & Weight: Compact and slightly lighter at 580 grams. Its curved grip and balanced weight distribution make it comfortable for smaller hands.
• LCD Screen: The fully articulated 3-inch touchscreen with a 1040k resolution is a standout. It flips out and swivels, ideal for creative angles, macro work, and vlogging.
• Controls: More traditional DSLR layout with well-placed buttons. Touchscreen interface speeds up menu navigation and focus point selection - a boon for beginners and vloggers.

Sony A560:

• Body Size & Weight: A bit bulkier and heavier at 599 grams with a deeper grip, which some photographers with larger hands might appreciate.
• LCD Screen: 3-inch tilting screen (not touch-enabled) with 922k resolution. Useful for low or high-angle shooting, though the lack of touchscreen slows manual menu interaction.
• Controls: Slightly more complex layout with certain functions like self-timer only accessible via menus. The dual card slot design increases versatility but adds to bulk.

Ergonomically, if you prefer intuitive touch controls and need flexibility in screen positioning, Canon wins. For those prioritizing a solid grip and dual card slots, Sony offers more professional features.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of the Camera

Both DSLRs have APS-C sensors with slightly different specifics impacting image quality.

Sensor Size and Resolution:

• The Sony A560 sensor is physically larger and inches closer to APS-C’s full rectangle, giving it a slight advantage in light gathering.
• Canon’s 18 MP sensor has higher resolution, yielding more detail - especially noticeable in well-lit scenes and large prints.
• Both cameras have an anti-aliasing filter which reduces moiré but slightly softens micro-detail.

Image Quality Metrics (DXO Mark Scores):

• Canon 700D: Overall score 61; Color depth 21.7 bits; Dynamic range 11.2 stops; Low light ISO 681.
• Sony A560: Overall score 70; Color depth 22.5 bits; Dynamic range 12.3 stops; Low light ISO 817.

Sony’s sensor delivers better dynamic range and low-light ISO performance, making it more forgiving with shadows and highlights, critical in landscape and night photography.

Autofocus System Performance: Speed Meets Precision

For DSLR photographers, autofocus (AF) capability often shapes your success in fast-paced or candid scenarios.

Real-world testing confirms both cameras maintain focus tracking well with static or slow-moving subjects. The Canon 700D’s hybrid system excels in live view and video autofocus, thanks to contrast-based enhancements.

However, the Sony A560’s greater number of AF points and slightly faster phase-detection autofocus edge out in traditional viewfinder shooting, especially around moderate action sequences like street photography or casual sports.

For critical wildlife or fast sports use, neither camera can rival cutting-edge flagship models, but the Canon’s touch-enabled AF point selection adds intuitive control.

Build Quality, Weather Resistance, and Durability

Both cameras are designed as entry-level DSLRs focusing on accessibility rather than professional ruggedness.

• Neither camera offers environmental sealing or significant weather resistance. You should avoid heavy rain or dusty conditions without additional protection.
• Build materials are primarily polycarbonate with some metal reinforcement; both feel reasonably sturdy but lightweight.
• Sony’s dual-card slot adds an added layer of safety for storage but increases size slightly.
• Battery type and lifespan differ dramatically:
  • Canon 700D: Uses LP-E8 battery with ~440 shots per charge (CIPA rating).
  • Sony A560: NP-FM500H battery delivers over twice the endurance at 1050 shots per charge.

If you often shoot extended sessions or travel, Sony’s battery life is a major practical advantage.

LCD, Viewfinder, and User Interface

Examining your interface options is vital, as they affect your shooting ease and creative flexibility.

Viewfinder:

• Both cameras have optical pentamirror viewfinders with 95% coverage and 0.53x magnification.
• Neither offers electronic overlays or info displays.
• For traditionalists, optical viewfinders render natural, lag-free compositions.

LCD Screen:

The Canon’s sharp, fully articulated touchscreen is a clear win for live view composition, vlogging, and reviewing shots in tricky angles. The Sony’s tilting screen is fine for ground or overhead shots but less convenient for selfies or video.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

Your camera’s potential often hinges on the availability and quality of compatible lenses.

• Canon 700D:
  • Mounts Canon EF and EF-S lenses.
  • Over 326 lens options currently available from Canon and third-parties.
  • Supports affordable entry-level zooms, pro-grade glass, and specialized lenses like macro and tilt-shift.
• Sony A560:
  • Compatible with Sony/Minolta Alpha A-mount lenses.
  • Smaller ecosystem with 143 lenses historically, mostly from Sony and Minolta.
  • Many lenses are older designs; some lack modern optical stabilization.

Canon’s lens ecosystem is vast and actively supported, giving you broad creative flexibility and easier access to new gear.

Shooting Performance: Burst Rate and Buffer

Both cameras provide 5 frames per second continuous shooting - adequate for casual sports and wildlife but less competitive for serious action photography.

• Canon 700D: 5 fps continuous shooting with a reasonably deep buffer of up to 58 JPEG images.
• Sony A560: 5 fps but limited buffer depth due to slower processor and memory card constraints.

Canon’s newer processor (DIGIC 5) offers marginally faster image processing, providing smoother burst sequences.

Stabilization: Sensor vs Lens-Based Image Stabilization

• Canon 700D: Relies entirely on lens-based IS; no in-body stabilization.
• Sony A560: Built-in 5-axis sensor-shift stabilization.

The Sony’s sensor stabilization benefits all lenses, including older primes lacking IS. This can meaningfully improve handheld shooting at slower shutter speeds or with telephoto zooms, especially in macro or low-light photography.

Video Features

Both cameras support full HD video recording with specs that reflect their release era:

Canon’s articulated touchscreen vastly improves video framing flexibility and touchscreen AF control during recording, making it a more intuitive choice for amateur videographers and vloggers.

Sony’s ability to shoot 1080p at 60fps offers smoother motion capture beneficial for sports and action sequences.

Connectivity and Storage Options

• Canon 700D:
  • Supports Eye-Fi wireless SD cards (requires compatible cards).
  • Single SD card slot.
  • USB 2.0 and mini HDMI.
• Sony A560:
  • Eye-Fi card compatible.
  • Dual card slots (SD and Memory Stick Pro).
  • USB 2.0 and mini HDMI.

Dual card slots provide extra safety via backup or extended storage - beneficial for professional workflows.

Battery Life and Power Management

Sony’s A560 shines with exceptional battery life (~1050 shots per charge), ideal for extended shoots and travel when recharging options may be limited.

Canon’s 440 shots is average for entry-level DSLRs but may require carrying spare batteries for longer days.

Real-World Photography Use Cases

We tested both cameras across various photography styles to evaluate their suitability and performance.

Portraits

• Canon’s higher resolution sensor captures finely detailed skin textures and delivers smooth tone gradations.
• The touchscreen and Face AF support quick, accurate eye detection focus.
• Bokeh quality is subject to lens choice, but Canon’s extensive EF-S lens line offers many fast-aperture primes.
• Sony’s sensor stabilization aids handheld portrait work, but the lower resolution limits print size flexibility.

Landscapes

• Sony’s superior dynamic range and slightly larger sensor enhance shadow detail and color depth.
• Canon’s articulated screen is helpful for shooting at awkward angles over terrain.
• Both lack weather sealing; plan for protection on rough hikes.

Wildlife and Sports

• Both cameras have 5 fps burst, sufficient for casual action.
• Sony’s 15 AF points marginally improve tracking, but neither excels for fast, erratic subjects.
• Canon’s touchscreen AF point control speeds composition in the field.
• Lens availability (Canon’s greater options) can impact reach and sharpness.

Street Photography

• Canon 700D’s compact size and silent live view mode help with discretion.
• Sony’s sensor stabilization and battery life support longer roaming.
• The Canon touchscreen facilitates quick focus acquisition amidst dynamic scenes.

Macro Photography

• Sony’s sensor IS paired with compatible macro lenses enables sharper close-ups handheld.
• Canon lacks IS in-body but offers several excellent macro EF-S lenses.
• The articulated screen on Canon eases composing unorthodox macro angles.

Night and Astro Photography

• Sony’s better low-light ISO performance reduces noise at high ISOs.
• Longer exposures require tripod use; both cameras support bulb mode.
• Canon’s live view with zoom assist helps in manual focusing on stars.

Video

• Canon’s full touchscreen articulation and reliable live view AF present an edge for content creators.
• Sony’s 60fps 1080p modes suit smooth slow-motion capture.
• Both lack headphone jacks, limiting audio monitoring for serious videographers.

Travel Photography

• Consider weight vs battery life: Sony’s heavier body is balanced by exceptional battery life.
• Canon’s smaller size and touchscreen add versatility in varied shooting environments.

Professional Workflow

• Both support RAW capture.
• Canon’s single card slot limits workflow redundancy.
• Sony’s dual slots and broader video codec support may appeal to pros on a budget.

Canon 700D screen back Sony A560 front Sony A560 screen back

Above, you’ll notice the Canon 700D often renders more detailed daylight images, while Sony’s dynamic range advantage appears in shadow preservation. Both are capable but lean slightly differently in the image character.

Price-to-Performance: What’s the Best Value?

At launch, both were priced similarly around $649. Today, in used or refurbished markets, either can represent good value for beginners or budget-conscious enthusiasts.

• Canon 700D: Better suited for those seeking easy touchscreen operation, diverse lens mounts, and reliable image quality for portraits and video.
• Sony A560: Offers stronger battery life, in-body image stabilization, and superior dynamic range beneficial for landscapes and low-light work.

The charts above distill strengths by shooting discipline: Canon excels at portrait and video, while Sony leads landscape and low light.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Both cameras remain capable options within entry-level DSLR territory, but your choice should align with your photographic priorities and style.

Getting the Most Out of Your DSLR Journey

Beyond which camera you pick, success comes from practice, accessories, and exploring lenses that match your vision. Whether it’s the Canon 700D’s approachable touchscreen or the Sony A560’s robust sensor foundation, both bodies can unlock memorable shots.

Here’s how to proceed:

• Head to a local store or rental shop to handle both bodies and see which feels right.
• Try pairing the Canon 700D with its popular EF-S 18-55 f/3.5-5.6 STM lens for a smooth focus experience.
• For the Sony A560, consider legacy A-mount lenses or adapters for more optics.
• Explore tutorials on autofocus techniques and manual controls to maximize image sharpness.

Remember, cameras are tools that support your creative journey - the best camera is always the one you enjoy using and understand deeply.

Thank you for reading this hands-on expert comparison. We hope it empowers you to make a confident, informed camera choice that delights your photographic vision. Keep shooting, exploring, and creating the images only you can capture!