Canon T7i vs Sony A560: An Experienced Photographer’s Take on Two Entry-Level DSLRs

Choosing your next camera is always a bit like navigating a minefield - specs to parse, marketing jargon to decode, and that crucial question: which model suits your style and demands? Having put both the Canon EOS Rebel T7i (also known as the EOS 800D or Kiss X9i) and Sony Alpha DSLR-A560 through their paces in varied settings, I’m here to share an in-depth, no-nonsense comparison. These two entry-level DSLRs, released seven years apart, still have plenty to offer photography enthusiasts wanting solid performance on a budget.

I’ll guide you through their strengths, limitations, and real-world usability across the most popular photography disciplines. Along the way, technical analysis and hands-on insights will help clear the fog, so you can make a confident decision tailored to your needs.

Let’s dive in.

First Impressions: Size, Ergonomics and Handling

Right out of the box, the Canon T7i impresses with its thoughtful ergonomics and well-judged size. At 131x100x76mm and weighing 532g, it feels balanced without being bulky. Sony’s A560 is a bit larger and heavier at 137x104x84mm and 599g, leaning toward a more traditional DSLR heft.

Canon’s design embraces modern usability - fully articulated touchscreen, intuitive button layout, and a comfortable grip that fits a wide range of hand sizes. The Sony, while solidly built, opts for a tilting screen (non-touch) and a classic control cluster that some users might find less inviting for menu navigation, especially beginners.

The difference may not sound dramatic but in real-world use, the T7i’s articulating touchscreen transforms angles and live view shooting into a pain-free experience. If you do any vlogging, casual portraiture, or live video, this is a genuine advantage.

Control and Interface: Modern Touchscreen vs Traditional Dials

Speaking of controls, the top view and layout illustrations reveal distinct philosophies.

Canon’s DIGIC 7 processor enables more responsive menus and touchscreen AF, which Sony’s Bionz-powered A560 lacks. The A560 relies on physical buttons and a more segmented interface. If you’re used to navigating menus quickly or prefer tactile controls without a touchscreen, Sony’s straightforward approach holds appeal.

In the field, however, the T7i’s touchscreen live view AF tracking shines for its fluidity and ease, especially when capturing fast-moving subjects or shooting from awkward angles. Sony’s A560 does support live view autofocus but without touch, it can slow your workflow slightly.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Megapixels and More

Looking under the hood, these two APS-C cameras sport markedly different sensors and resolutions. The Canon offers a 24MP 22.3×14.9 mm CMOS sensor, whereas the Sony features a 14MP 23.5×15.6 mm CMOS sensor.

This difference isn’t just numbers on paper. Canon’s higher resolution sensor delivers sharper images with greater detail - ideal for landscape photographers, portrait shooters wanting large prints, or anyone who appreciates cropping flexibility. The Sony’s larger sensor area (366.6 mm² vs. 332.3 mm² for Canon) slightly edges in physical size, which can improve light-gathering and signal-to-noise ratio despite the lower pixel count.

In my testing, Canon’s T7i showed cleaner images at high ISO compared to Sony, thanks in part to the newer DIGIC 7 processor and more advanced noise reduction algorithms. Sony’s A560, while competent, revealed more luminance noise starting around ISO 1600. Can this be overcome? Yes, by careful exposure and noise reduction during post-processing - but it’s a consideration for low-light shooters.

Additionally, Canon’s sensor is fronted by an anti-aliasing filter, helping reduce moire but slightly softening micro-details. Sony employs a similar filter but at a lower resolution, so Canon has the edge in fine detail recorded, important for macro and landscape disciplines.

Autofocus Systems: How Fast and Accurate Can They Be?

No camera review would be complete without a look at autofocus systems, especially as DSLRs rely heavily on phase-detection AF in their optical viewfinders.

The Canon T7i boasts an impressive 45-point all-cross-type AF system, capable of eye-detection and real-time subject tracking in live view (dual pixel CMOS AF). Sony’s A560 offers 15 AF points with 3 cross-type sensors, but lacks advanced tracking in live view.

Practically, this means the T7i is significantly better suited for capturing fast-moving subjects - wildlife, sports, children, street candid moments - where precise focus and tracking are essential.

For example, during a session tracking birds in flight, the Canon locked focus consistently and smoothly even in continuous shooting mode (6 fps). The Sony struggled more with predictive tracking, especially beyond the central AF points and topped out at 5 fps.

This difference becomes clear when examining real-world action photography performance.

Burst Rates and Shutter Specs: Capturing the Decisive Moment

With the Canon able to shoot at 6 frames per second and Sony slightly slower at 5 fps, pros and enthusiasts wanting to nail fast action get a small but meaningful difference. Both cameras max out their mechanical shutter speeds at 1/4000s, adequate for most daylight shooting but neither offers electronic shutter for silent capture or ultra-fast shutter speeds.

Neither has silent shutter modes or the very latest innovations, but the T7i edges out in responsiveness, partly thanks to its dual pixel AF and DIGIC 7 processor.

Display and Viewfinder: Where Do You Sharpen Your Eye?

If you’re shooting through the viewfinder, both models use pentamirror optics with roughly 95% frame coverage. The Canon viewfinder magnification is slightly smaller at 0.51x compared to Sony’s 0.53x - not a game-changer but worth noting if you prefer a brighter, clearer view.

On the rear, the T7i's 3-inch fully articulating touchscreen with 1,040k dots resolution is an undeniable win for composing from tricky angles, touch focusing, and playback clarity. Sony’s fixed tilting screen with 922k dots lacks touchscreen capabilities, making menu navigation slower and less intuitive.

If you’re accustomed to pinching and swiping on modern smartphones, the Canon interface feels refreshingly familiar.

Lens Ecosystem: What Glass Sharpen Your Vision?

Canon’s EF and EF-S mount has an established, broad lens ecosystem with over 300 native lenses covering everything from budget primes to professional super-telephotos and ultra-wide zooms. This extensive selection includes third-party options from Sigma, Tamron, and Tokina, offering excellent versatility.

Sony’s A560 uses the older Sony/Minolta A mount, now discontinued and superseded by Sony E-mount mirrorless. While 143 A mount lenses exist, many are legacy designs, and availability new or affordable can be limited.

If investing in lenses is part of your game plan, Canon’s ecosystem offers more growth and compatibility flexibility.

Battery Life and Storage: Staying Power When It Counts

Sony’s A560 impresses in battery life with a rated 1050 shots per charge - excellent for a DSLR of its class - thanks to efficient power management and larger NP-FM500H battery packs.

Canon’s T7i maxes out at about 600 shots per battery, which is decent but falls short by almost half compared to Sony. For travel or extended shooting, this forces Canon users to carry spares or recharge more often.

On the storage front, the T7i uses a single SD card slot, compatible with UHS-I cards for fast write speeds. Sony’s A560 supports dual card slots and a wider range of media including SD and Memory Stick Duo formats - more flexible but possibly redundant for most photographers sticking with SD.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Ready for Adventure?

Neither camera offers robust weather sealing or ruggedization. The Canon T7i and Sony A560 are definitely targeted at entry-level users who’ll mostly shoot in controlled outdoor or indoor environments.

Both bodies are plastic-heavy with metal chassis reinforcement but lack dustproof or waterproof ratings. Handle them carefully if you intend landscape, nature, or travel photography in challenging conditions.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

Canon’s T7i impresses with built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC allowing seamless pairing with smartphones or tablets. This makes image transfer, remote control, and social sharing painless and near-instant. GPS connectivity is available optionally.

Sony’s A560 is more limited, boasting Eye-Fi wireless card compatibility only (requiring separate card purchase). No built-in Bluetooth or NFC here, and no GPS support.

If you value untethered image sharing and remote shooting without extra hardware, the Canon wins out hands down.

Video Capabilities: Who Handles Motion Better?

Both cameras debut in an era before 4K became mainstream, offering Full HD 1080p recording as the pinnacle.

Canon T7i records 1080p at 60fps with decent bitrates (~60 Mbps), using H.264/MOV codecs, and supports microphone input for external audio. Sony A560 also shoots 1080p at 60fps but tops out at about 28 Mbps and supports AVCHD besides H.264. Both lack headphone jacks for monitoring.

Canon’s superior focusing tech in live view (dual pixel AF) makes for smoother video autofocus tracking and less hunting - particularly beneficial in run-and-gun scenarios or hybrid photo/video shooters.

The articulating screen again gives Canon an edge for video framing in vlogging or low-angle work. Sony’s tilting screen is less flexible.

Speciality Use Cases: Portrait, Landscape, Wildlife, Sport, and More

Portrait Photography

Canon’s 24MP sensor + 45 cross-type AF points with effective eye detection delivers crisp skin tone rendition and excellent background separation (paired with quality EF-S lenses or primes). Its lack of built-in image stabilization isn’t a huge downside here, as most portrait lenses have optical IS.

Sony’s lower resolution and fewer AF points make eye tracking less reliable, and fewer native lenses reduce options for creamy bokeh, although third-party tools help.

Landscape Photography

Canon’s higher megapixels and wide ISO dynamic range capture detail-rich RAWs, helpful for post-processing shadows and highlights. Its articulating screen helps composing in odd landscape positions.

Sony’s sensor area advantage helps slightly with noise control in long exposures but the lower resolution limits print enlargement.

Neither camera has weather sealing critical for outdoor landscape shooters, so consider protective gear.

Wildlife Photography

Fast autofocus tracking and burst rate favor Canon’s T7i for bird and animal action. Sony’s 15-point AF and slower continuous shooting can’t keep pace as reliably.

Canon’s larger lens lineup includes excellent telephoto primes and zooms essential for distant wildlife.

Sports Photography

Canon’s 6 fps shooting and superior AF coverage place it comfortably above Sony here. Quick subject acquisition and tracking are essential in sports, which T7i handles markedly better.

Street Photography

Sony’s slightly smaller form factor may appeal to some street shooters valuing discretion, but the lack of touchscreen and slower AF could slow decisive moments.

Canon’s silent live view focusing mode helps capture candid shots silently, a nice bonus.

Macro Photography

Canon’s high resolution sensor and broad lens selection (including affordable macro primes) promote detailed close-ups. No in-body stabilization hurts here, so optical IS or a tripod is suggested.

Sony’s sensor stabilization offers an edge but macro lenses for A-mount cameras are rarer.

Night and Astrophotography

Canon’s higher ISO headroom (up to 51200 boosted) and cleaner noise performance aid shooting starscapes and night scenes. Sony’s lower native ISO max (12800) and higher noise limit its low-light prowess.

Long exposure noise reduction is supported in both but Canon’s improved processing makes post-production easier.

Professional Workflow and Reliability

Both cameras support Adobe-standard RAW formats (.CR2 for Canon, .ARW for Sony) which integrate seamlessly into Lightroom and Photoshop workflows.

Canon’s newer sensor and processor best serve photographers handling high volumes or demanding quick turnaround, thanks to improved buffer depth and write speeds.

Sony’s dual card slots offer backup redundancy, useful for professionals worried about data loss, but the aging sensor limits file quality for high-end commercial work.

Pricing and Value Assessment

The Canon T7i launched around $750 with a kit lens, offering great value given its sensor resolution, AF system, and modern features.

Sony’s A560 (about $650 new, now discontinued) is budget-friendly and still a capable shooter for beginners on tighter budgets or those with an existing Sony A mount lens collection.

Balancing current price availability and features, I personally find Canon represents the better long-term investment - especially if you plan to grow your kit.

Wrap-Up and Recommendations: Who Should Choose Which?

Canon T7i front Canon T7i screen back Sony A560 front Sony A560 screen back

Let’s not forget real-world output - Canon produces noticeably sharper, cleaner images and videos, with better color accuracy and AF reliability thanks to immense R&D investments in sensor and processing technologies. Sony suits those prioritizing battery life and media flexibility, or who inherited a compatible lens collection.

Consider Canon T7i if you:

• Want versatile shooting options: portraits, landscapes, wildlife, video
• Value modern touchscreen, Wi-Fi/Bluetooth connectivity
• Need faster, more accurate autofocus and higher burst rates
• Plan to expand via an extensive lens ecosystem
• Shoot video with smooth autofocus and articulated screen
• Prefer cleaner images at high ISOs and large print sizes

Consider Sony A560 if you:

• Are on a stricter budget or prefer discounted legacy cameras
• Crave longer battery endurance for extended trips
• Need dual card slots for built-in file redundancy
• Like classic DSLR handling without touchscreen distractions
• Already own a collection of Sony/Minolta A mount lenses

Final Thoughts

After spending weeks alternating between these cameras - from a brisk wildlife morning at the park to a low-light indoor concert and a landscape shoot at twilight - I come away impressed by the Canon T7i’s overall package. It combines solid image quality, responsive autofocus, and a user-friendly interface that both beginners and enthusiasts can appreciate immediately.

Sony’s A560 holds nostalgic value and reasonable competence but feels dated next to Canon’s modern conveniences. If you want a camera feeling current in 2024 terms, smaller technological leaps make Canon the sensible choice.

Still, a great camera is one that fits your style, budget, and preferred subjects. The comparison above equips you to weigh strengths against your priorities. Happy shooting, whichever path you pick!

If you want to see full sample galleries or focus tests I performed on these models, check out my detailed photo walkthroughs and video reviews linked alongside this article.