• APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 18.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000

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Differences

Canon T3i advantages over Sony A58

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • More telephoto lens reach
    216 mm vs 83 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Higher-res screen
    346k vs 154k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options

Sony A58 advantages over Canon T3i

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 700 vs 440 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More cross-type AF points
    3 vs 1
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Lighter weight
    731g vs 1031g
    Lighter weight
  • Less shutter lag
    0.13 vs 0.28 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More AF points
    15 vs 9
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.9 fps vs 3.6 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    4.8 fps vs 3.6 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

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
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • 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

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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
  • 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

User reviews

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Buy the Sony A58
Kit with 18-55mm Lens
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Review Excerpt

  • Excellent image quality; Good grip; Full HD video recording; Swiveling LCD; Very fast autofocus; HDMI output.

  • Slow frame rate for sports shooting; Tendency to overexpose in bright sunlight; Live View AF is slow; No microfocus adjustment.

  • Read our Canon T3i Full Review

  • Improved 20.1-megapixel resolution; Impressive image quality, especially for its price; Fast and decisive autofocus (in most conditions); Very good battery life; Good video quality (Full HD 1080p, though it doesn't support 60p frame rate).

  • Plastic lens mount; Slower burst mode speeds and shallower buffer than A57; LCD no longer fully articulating; Mediocre kit lens; Electronic instead of an optical viewfinder may be a turnoff for some.

  • Read our Sony A58 Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7000

Canon T3i
Nikon D7000
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup

Compare Canon T3i vs Nikon D7000

Sony A58
Nikon D7000
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony A58 vs Nikon D7000

Compared to Pentax K-5

Canon T3i
Pentax K-5
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon T3i vs Pentax K-5

Sony A58
Pentax K-5
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony A58 vs Pentax K-5

Compared to Canon T4i

Canon T3i
Canon T4i
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup

Compare Canon T3i vs Canon T4i

Sony A58
Canon T4i
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection

Compare Sony A58 vs Canon T4i

Compared to Pentax K-5 IIs

Canon T3i
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon T3i vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Sony A58
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony A58 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Compared to Canon T5i

Canon T3i
Canon T5i
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $539
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup

Compare Canon T3i vs Canon T5i

Sony A58
Canon T5i
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $539
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A58 vs Canon T5i

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