• APS-C 328.6mm2
  • 12.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.2 megapixels
  • 27.00mm - 810.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Canon XSi advantages over Sony HX200V

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.20 vs 1.26 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Fast startup
    ~0.40 vs 2.2 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Thinner
    61 mm vs 93 mm
    Thinner
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Less shutter lag
    0.16 vs 0.49 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    53 vs 10 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sony HX200V advantages over Canon XSi

  • Less expensive
    $480 vs $900 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    922k 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
    18.2 vs 12.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 3.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • 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
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.

Common Weaknesses

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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
  • 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

Review Excerpt

  • Extremely versatile superzoom that covers everything from wide angle to mega-telephoto; Portable design doesn't sacrifice comfort; Detailed images thanks to high-resolution 18.2MP BSI CMOS sensor.

  • Slow to use overall; Poor image quality at high ISOs; Images not as sharp or as bright at full telephoto as we had hoped.

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 HX200V
Nikon D60
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Pentax K2000

Canon XSi
Pentax K2000
  • $649
  • APS-C
  • More pixels
  • More AF points
  • $556
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
Sony HX200V
Pentax K2000
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $556
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Canon T1i

Canon XSi
Canon T1i
  • $649
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • HDMI out
Sony HX200V
Canon T1i
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FZ100

Canon XSi
Panasonic DMC-FZ100
  • $649
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Sony HX200V
Panasonic DMC-FZ100
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Hot shoe

Compared to Sony HX100V

Canon XSi
Sony HX100V
  • $649
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $312
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Sony HX200V
Sony HX100V
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $312
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
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