• APS-C 328.6mm2
  • 12.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • APS-C 357.3mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000

Buy From

Differences

Canon XSi advantages over Sony A5000

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.20 vs 4.25 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.40 vs 2.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • More telephoto lens reach
    88 mm vs 75 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Less shutter lag
    0.16 vs 0.30 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    53 vs 15 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sony A5000 advantages over Canon XSi

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,089 vs 692 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    13.0 vs 10.8 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Thinner
    35 mm vs 61 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    11 years vs 17 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    461k 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
    20.1 vs 12.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 29 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Higher extended ISO
    16000 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A5000

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D60

Canon XSi
Nikon D60
  • $649
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Less shutter lag
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
Sony A5000
Nikon D60
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Pentax K2000

Canon XSi
Pentax K2000
  • $649
  • APS-C
  • More pixels
  • More AF points
  • $556
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
Sony A5000
Pentax K2000
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $556
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Canon T1i

Canon XSi
Canon T1i
  • $649
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • HDMI out
Sony A5000
Canon T1i
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Sony NEX-5T

Canon XSi
Sony NEX-5T
  • $649
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Sony A5000
Sony NEX-5T
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Internal flash
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compared to Sony A5100

Canon XSi
Sony A5100
  • $649
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Sony A5000
Sony A5100
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Higher effective ISO
Compare Other Cameras?