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Sony A330 vs Sony A500

Portability
67
Imaging
50
Features
50
Overall
50
Sony Alpha DSLR-A330 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 front
Portability
63
Imaging
52
Features
52
Overall
52

Sony A330 vs Sony A500 Key Specs

Sony A330
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 529g - 128 x 97 x 71mm
  • Released May 2009
  • Replaced the Sony A300
Sony A500
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 630g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Announced August 2009
  • Refreshed by Sony A560
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Sony A330 vs Sony A500 Overview

Following is a extended comparison of the Sony A330 and Sony A500, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras and both are produced by Sony. The image resolution of the A330 (10MP) and the A500 (12MP) is fairly close and both cameras offer the same sensor size (APS-C).

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The A330 was introduced 3 months prior to the A500 which means that they are of a similar age. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before getting straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a short overview of how the A330 grades vs the A500 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony A330 over the Sony A500

 A330 A500 

Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Sony A330

 A500 A330 
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Sony A330 and Sony A500

 A330 A500 
AnnouncedMay 2009August 2009Same age
Manually focus Very exact focus
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither comes with Touch friendly display

Sony A330 vs Sony A500 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry around your camera frequently, you are going to need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Sony A330 comes with outside measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 529 grams (1.17 lbs) while the Sony A500 has proportions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") with a weight of 630 grams (1.39 lbs).

Analyze the Sony A330 and Sony A500 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you use at the time. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the A330 against the A500.

Sony A330 vs Sony A500 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the A330 and A500 is 67 and 63 respectively.

Sony A330 vs Sony A500 top view buttons comparison

Sony A330 vs Sony A500 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very tough to see the difference in sensor sizes merely by viewing a spec sheet. The picture here might give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the A330 and A500.

Clearly, both of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same megapixels. You can anticipate the Sony A500 to result in more detail using its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will let you crop pics more aggressively.

Sony A330 vs Sony A500 sensor size comparison

Sony A330 vs Sony A500 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A330 vs Sony A500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A330 Portrait photography highlights
Sony A500 Portrait photography highlights
62
focusing manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
megapixel count low (10MP)
63
focusing manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
MP count low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Sony A330 Street photography features
Sony A500 Street photography features
75
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
74
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sony A330
Sports photography with Sony A500
50
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
slow fps (3.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
terrible battery power (230 shots)
51
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
max frames per second low (5.0 fps)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery life (520 CIPA)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Sony A330 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A500 as a Travel photography camera
44
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse function
terrible battery power (230 per charge)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
43
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse function
not so great battery life (520 CIPA)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A330 Landscape photography highlights
Sony A500 Landscape photography highlights
54
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
tiny screen (2.7")
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
terrible battery power (230 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse function
60
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
MP count low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery life (520 shots)
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A330 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A500 as a Vlogging camera
9
can't shoot video
9
no video shooting
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Sony A330 vs Sony A500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A330 and Sony A500
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A330Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha DSLR-A330 Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2009-05-18 2009-08-27
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Bionz Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3872 x 2592 4272 x 2848
Highest native ISO 3200 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type Sony/Minolta Alpha Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 143 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display sizing 2.7" 3"
Resolution of display 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.49x 0.53x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 10.00 m 12.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Highest video resolution None None
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
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 529 gr (1.17 pounds) 630 gr (1.39 pounds)
Physical dimensions 128 x 97 x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 64 64
DXO Color Depth rating 22.4 21.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.5 11.6
DXO Low light rating 535 772
Other
Battery life 230 photos 520 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FH50 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $545 $638