Canon T1i vs Sony DSLR-A230

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Canon T1i vs Sony DSLR-A230

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APS-C 332.3mm²
15.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Canon T1i Review.
See real-world photos taken with the T1i.

APS-C 369.7mm²
10.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 3200

Go in depth with our full Sony DSLR-A230 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the DSLR-A230.

Succeeded by the Canon T2i
Compare T1i vs T2i
Compare Canon T2i vs Sony DSLR-A230

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Differences

Canon T1i advantages over Sony DSLR-A230

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Fast startup
~0.30 vs 0.6 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
T1i test data on DxO Mark DSLR-A230 test data on DxO Mark

663 vs 531 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Lighter weight
526g vs 725g
Lighter weight
More dots on screen
920k vs 230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
More pixels
15.1 vs 10.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Faster JPEG shooting
3.4 fps vs 2.4 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 21 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
12800 vs 3200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sony DSLR-A230 advantages over Canon T1i

Larger sensor
APS-C vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Less expensive
$549 vs $900 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Bigger pixels
~ 6.12 vs 4.69 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

510 vs 400 shots
Capture more photos

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Pentaprism viewfinder
Neither provide
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

Read our Canon T1i Full Review

Read our Sony DSLR-A230 Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon XSi

Canon T1i

Canon XSi

$900
APS-C

Fast startup
HDMI out

$649
APS-C

Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon T1i vs Canon XSi

Sony DSLR-A230

Canon XSi

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$649
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony DSLR-A230 vs Canon XSi

Compared to Sony DSLR-A350

Canon T1i

Sony DSLR-A350

$900
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$900
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon T1i vs Sony DSLR-A350

Sony DSLR-A230

Sony DSLR-A350

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$900
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
Higher effective ISO

Compare Sony DSLR-A230 vs Sony DSLR-A350

Compared to Pentax K2000

Canon T1i

Pentax K2000

$900
APS-C

HDMI out
More dots on screen

$556
APS-C

Larger sensor
Less expensive

Compare Canon T1i vs Pentax K2000

Sony DSLR-A230

Pentax K2000

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
HDMI out

$556
APS-C

Lens selection
More cross-type AF points

Compare Sony DSLR-A230 vs Pentax K2000

Compared to Sony DSLR-A330

Canon T1i

Sony DSLR-A330

$900
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$530
APS-C

Larger sensor
Less expensive

Compare Canon T1i vs Sony DSLR-A330

Sony DSLR-A230

Sony DSLR-A330

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
More viewfinder magnification

$530
APS-C

Tiltable Screen

Compare Sony DSLR-A230 vs Sony DSLR-A330

Compared to Nikon D3000

Canon T1i

Nikon D3000

$900
APS-C

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

$450
APS-C

Larger sensor
Less expensive

Compare Canon T1i vs Nikon D3000

Sony DSLR-A230

Nikon D3000

$549
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
HDMI out

$450
APS-C

Lens selection
Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Sony DSLR-A230 vs Nikon D3000

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