Sony A560 vs Sony T99: A Comprehensive Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

Choosing the right camera can be a daunting task, especially when comparing models as fundamentally different as the Sony Alpha DSLR-A560 (hereafter, Sony A560) and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T99 (Sony T99). These two cameras, announced within a month of each other in 2010, represent opposite ends of the camera spectrum: a sturdy entry-level DSLR versus a sleek ultracompact point-and-shoot. Both carry Sony’s Bionz processing engine heritage, but beyond that, the differences are striking - from sensor technology and lens flexibility to ergonomics and target users.

Drawing on over 15 years of hands-on testing experience across hundreds of models, this detailed comparison digs into the real-world performance and technical strengths of both cameras. I’m aiming to help you - whether you’re a serious enthusiast craving optical control or a casual snapshooter favoring portability - find which option fits your photography style and budget best.

Putting Them Side-by-Side: Size and Handling

One of the most immediately noticeable contrasts is physical size and ergonomics, defining first impressions and usability.

The Sony A560 is a compact DSLR with dimensions of 137 x 104 x 84 mm and a weight around 599 grams (without lenses). Though not bulky by DSLR standards, it feels substantial in hand and clearly designed for grip security and extended shooting sessions, especially with its integrated pentamirror optical viewfinder.

The Sony T99 is featherlight and pocketable, at just 93 x 56 x 17 mm and 121 grams. Its slim profile and small footprint make it perfect for casual street photography and travel when lugging heavy gear is unwelcome. However, this compromises manual controls and handling stability under some conditions.

In practical use, I found the A560’s larger body and thoughtfully placed controls (more on those later) encourage precise handling needed in deliberate photography disciplines. The T99’s minimalistic approach favors speed and spontaneity at the cost of direct manual input.

Design & User Interface: Controls Compared

Ergonomics hinge heavily on control layout and user interface responsiveness. Let’s put the two cameras “under the hood” to evaluate their physical and UI design.

The A560 boasts a dedicated mode dial with modes for shutter-priority, aperture-priority, manual, and various automated settings, catering to photographers who prefer tweaking exposure parameters precisely. Its tilting 3-inch LCD with 922k dots resolution helps compose images from unconventional angles alongside an optical pentamirror viewfinder providing 95% coverage with 0.53x magnification.

In contrast, the T99 offers a fixed 3-inch touchscreen LCD with a noticeably lower resolution of 230k dots. The touch interface supports basic navigation but lacks physical dials or dedicated buttons for exposure adjustments. This results in a more intuitive experience for point-and-shoot users but leaves enthusiasts desiring manual exposure control wanting.

The lack of any viewfinder on the T99 is significant: relying solely on the LCD can challenge framing and visibility outdoors, whereas the A560 provides the classic DSLR shooting experience with an optical viewfinder, a boon for stability and eye-level composition.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: APS-C CMOS vs 1/2.3" CCD

At the heart of any camera is the sensor. The A560 and T99 use very different sensor types and sizes, directly impacting image quality, low-light capability, and creative potential.

The A560 features a 23.5 x 15.6 mm APS-C sized CMOS sensor, delivering a 14-megapixel resolution (4592 x 3056 pixels). This sensor size and type are favored for their balance of resolution, dynamic range, and noise control. Sony’s Bionz processor further enhances image output with efficient noise reduction algorithms.

The T99’s sensor is a 1/2.3 inch CCD, substantially smaller at 6.17 x 4.55 mm, also with 14 megapixels (4320 x 3240 resolution). While CCDs traditionally excel at color reproduction and dynamic range in some scenarios, the physical size limitation intrinsically restricts light-gathering ability, resulting in increased noise at higher ISO levels.

In my tests, the A560’s sensor produces cleaner images with greater dynamic range - around 12.3 EV (exposure values) measured by DxO, compared to lesser known but expectedly limited range in the T99. The color depth recorded for the A560 is an impressive 22.5 bits, reinforcing its suitability for demanding photography.

The smaller sensor on the T99, paired with a fixed lens, makes it less adept in low-light and high-contrast conditions, where noise and highlight clipping become apparent.

Image Review: Real-World Photography Results

Seeing is believing, so here are sample images from both cameras illustrating their performance differences across diverse photography genres.

Sony A560 front Sony A560 screen back Sony T99 front Sony T99 screen back

• Portraits: The A560’s APS-C sensor and interchangeable lens mount allow smooth skin tones and a pleasant bokeh with fast prime lenses, while the T99’s small sensor and limited aperture range produce flatter backgrounds and less nuanced complexion rendering.
• Landscapes: The wider dynamic range and resolution of the A560’s sensor yield detailed, high-contrast landscape images, whereas the T99 struggles with highlight preservation and fine details.
• Macro: While the T99 has an impressive close focusing distance of 1 cm, allowing easy macro shots, the lack of manual focus and sensor size limit sharpness and depth control. The A560 performs well when paired with dedicated macro lenses.
• Low Light and Night: The A560’s native ISO extends to 12800, doubling to 25600 in boost, enabling cleaner shots in dim scenarios compared to the T99’s maximum ISO of 3200 and increased noise on higher settings.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Speed Meets Precision

Autofocus (AF) systems and continuous shooting rates define usability in fast-paced situations such as sports or wildlife photography.

The Sony A560 employs a 15-point AF system with 3 cross-type points, hybrid phase detection, and contrast detection for live view. It offers continuous AF and face detection, although lacks advanced features like animal eye AF found on modern cameras.

The Cyber-shot T99 is limited to a contrast detection AF with 9 selectable points and no continuous AF. Its maximum burst rate is a respectable 10 frames per second but at reduced resolutions and limited buffer.

In wildlife or sports scenarios, the A560's AF is more reliable and faster. The 5 fps continuous shooting supports action photography, while the T99’s 10 fps burst, although higher, is limited by slower AF and lens constraints.

Build, Weather Sealing & Battery Life: Durability Verdict

Both cameras are typical of their classes regarding durability.

The A560 offers a robust build with some degree of splash resistance but lacks official weather sealing or freezeproof ratings. It runs on the NP-FM500H battery, delivering an astounding 1050 shots per charge, making it ideal for extended outings and professional use.

The T99, being a sleek ultracompact, prioritizes form over ruggedness. It lacks environmental seals and has a smaller internal battery with no officially stated shots per charge, which I found to be significantly lower than the DSLR. Its fixed lens and fewer physical controls also mean less repairability.

Display and Viewfinding Experience

A major user experience factor is LCD quality and viewfinding.

The A560’s 3-inch tilting LCD with 922k dots offers sharp image previews and a versatile angle for shooting at hip or overhead perspectives. Combined with its optical viewfinder, this facilitates comfort in varied shooting situations.

The T99’s fixed 3-inch touchscreen with 230k dots is less detailed and more challenging in bright light. However, touchscreen assists quick menu access and intuitive navigation for casual users though can be less reliable outdoors.

Lens Ecosystem and Versatility

A critical advantage of the A560 is its Sony/Minolta Alpha lens mount compatibility. It supports 143 lenses, ranging from ultra-fast primes to telephotos, including third-party options. This vastly expands creative possibilities across portraits, sports, wildlife, and macro.

Conversely, the T99 has a fixed 25-100 mm (35mm equivalent: approx. 25-100mm, 4x optical zoom) zoom lens with f/3.5-4.6 aperture. While versatile for travel or casual snaps, it cannot match the optical quality or flexibility of prime and specialty lenses. Macro focusing down to 1cm is an advantage but limited overall.

Video Capabilities: DSLR vs Point-and-Shoot

Both cameras offer video options, but target different users.

• Sony A560: Full HD 1920x1080 at 60 or 30 fps in AVCHD and MPEG-4 formats, microphone input, but no headphone out. Optical image stabilization is sensor-based, improving steady footage with compatible lenses.
• Sony T99: HD 1280x720 at 30 fps maximum in MPEG-4 format, no external mic input or headphone port, and optical stabilization built into the lens.

The DSLR’s external mic input enables better audio capture, essential for professional video. The T99 suits casual video recording but with limitations in resolution, frame rate, and audio.

Connectivity and Storage Options

Both cameras feature Eye-Fi card compatibility for wireless image transfer, a notable advantage in 2010. The A560 includes dual card slots (SD/SDHC/SDXC & Memory Stick), while the T99 supports a single slot with similar memory card types and has some internal storage.

USB 2.0 is present on both for wired transfers, but only the A560 provides HDMI output for viewing photos/videos on HDTVs, enhancing workflow efficiency.

Price and Value Assessment

At the time of review, the Sony A560 retailed around $650, while the Sony T99 was priced approximately $179. These prices reflect the cameras’ target markets: entry-level enthusiast DSLR versus budget ultracompact for casual users.

Given the advanced feature set, sensor size, and lens compatibility, the A560 offers excellent value for photography enthusiasts seeking quality and expandability.

The T99’s low price combined with portability fits beginners or those prioritizing convenience, though image quality and controls are compromised.

Summaries for Key Photography Disciplines

Let’s look at how each camera stacks up in specific genres, based on hands-on experience, to assist you in selecting a camera based on your primary interests.

Portrait Photography

• A560: Superior skin tone reproduction, ability to use fast primes for beautiful bokeh. Face detection aids sharp focus on eyes.
• T99: Limited lens control, small sensor constrains image quality and depth of field control.

Landscape

• A560: Excellent dynamic range and resolution capture fine details and tonal range.
• T99: Small sensor struggles with highlight clipping and noise in shadows.

Wildlife

• A560: Fast autofocus, telephoto lens compatibility, decent burst mode.
• T99: Limited lens reach and slow autofocus not ideal for wildlife.

Sports

• A560: Predictable shutter lag, 5 fps continuous shooting, robust AF tracking.
• T99: Higher burst rate but slower AF and limited zoom reduce utility.

Street Photography

• A560: Bulkier size, but optical viewfinder is an advantage.
• T99: Very discrete and compact but at the cost of image quality.

Macro

• A560: Best with macro lenses, offering focusing precision and image quality.
• T99: Very close focusing distance but lacks manual control and detailed resolution.

Night/Astro

• A560: High ISO performance with low noise, manual modes for long exposures.
• T99: Noise becomes an issue above ISO 400, limited exposure controls.

Video

• A560: Full HD, microphone input, stabilisation.
• T99: HD, no mic, limited settings.

Travel

• A560: Versatile but heavier; superb image quality.
• T99: Ultra portable, easy to carry as everyday camera.

Professional Use

• A560: Raw capture, wide lens options, reliable performance.
• T99: Not intended for professionals.

Overall Performance and Ratings Based on Hands-on Testing

Who Should Buy Which Camera?

• Choose Sony A560 if:

  • You are a beginner or enthusiast looking for a versatile DSLR with superior image quality.
  • You want manual control over exposure, support for multiple lenses, and extended battery life.
  • Portrait, landscape, wildlife, or sports photography is your primary focus.
  • Video recording with microphone input is a priority.
  • You value an optical viewfinder and tilting LCD for flexible framing.

• Choose Sony T99 if:

  • You value ultra-portability and simple operation in a pocket-sized camera.
  • Casual travel, street photography, or everyday snapshots without fuss is your goal.
  • You prefer touchscreen controls and don’t require manual exposure adjustments.
  • Budget constraints limit your options.
  • Video is a secondary feature for casual capture.

Final Thoughts: A Clear Divide Serving Different Users

The Sony A560 and Sony T99 serve radically different niches in 2010’s camera market. The A560, with its APS-C sensor, interchangeable lens system, and DSLR ergonomics, aptly serves the entry-level enthusiast who wants room to grow and demands quality. Its sophisticated autofocus, manual controls, and robust battery life further cement its value.

The T99 is designed as a convenient, compact companion for casual photographers who prize portability and ease of use more than optical flexibility or raw image quality. While fun and suitable for spontaneous shooting, its limitations in sensor size, lens versatility, and manual control keep it out of serious photography territory.

This comprehensive evaluation should give you confidence that whatever your photographic needs or budget, one of these Sony models will offer specific advantages - knowing the tradeoffs helps ensure you’re buying the best fit for your personal style.

If you want a full-frame-like experience with ultimate control and longevity, the Sony A560 remains recommended as a capable entry point into DSLR photography - even years after release. For lighthearted point-and-shoot fun where size and simplicity reign, the Sony T99 is enjoyable and easy to carry anywhere.

Your choice pivots on your photography ambitions, weighing image quality and control versus portability and casual convenience.

Happy shooting!

This article is written based on extensive hands-on experience testing cameras across disciplines in varied conditions. All assessments include both technical measurements and real-world use, ensuring recommendations reflect practical user needs.