Sony DSLR-A200 vs Canon XSi

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Sony DSLR-A200 vs Canon XSi

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APS-C 369.7mm²
10.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 3200

Go in depth with our full Sony DSLR-A200 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the DSLR-A200.

APS-C 328.6mm²
12.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 1600

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

Succeeded by the Canon T1i
Compare XSi vs T1i
Compare Sony DSLR-A200 vs Canon T1i

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Differences

Sony DSLR-A200 advantages over Canon XSi

Less expensive
$600 vs $900 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
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
Bigger pixels
~ 6.12 vs 5.20 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

750 vs 500 shots
Capture more photos
More telephoto lens reach
105 mm vs 88 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
Higher extended ISO
3200 vs 1600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon XSi advantages over Sony DSLR-A200

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Fast startup
~0.40 vs 1.5 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.
XSi test data on DxO Mark DSLR-A200 test data on DxO Mark

692 vs 521 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
More pixels
12.2 vs 10.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Faster JPEG shooting
3.5 fps vs 2.8 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
53 vs 8 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (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
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
HDMI out
Neither provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review 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

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Buy the Sony DSLR-A200

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon XSi

Review Excerpt

Read our Sony DSLR-A200 Full Review

Read our Canon XSi Full Review

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K200D

Sony DSLR-A200

Pentax K200D

$470
APS-C

Less expensive
Longer stills battery life

$800
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony DSLR-A200 vs Pentax K200D

Canon XSi

Pentax K200D

$649
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
Longer stills battery life

$800
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon XSi vs Pentax K200D

Compared to Nikon D60

Sony DSLR-A200

Nikon D60

$470
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$700
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony DSLR-A200 vs Nikon D60

Canon XSi

Nikon D60

$649
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
Less shutter lag

$700
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Canon XSi vs Nikon D60

Compared to Sony DSLR-A300

Sony DSLR-A200

Sony DSLR-A300

$470
APS-C

Less expensive
More viewfinder magnification

$563
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Sony DSLR-A200 vs Sony DSLR-A300

Canon XSi

Sony DSLR-A300

$649
APS-C

Lens selection
Higher effective ISO

$563
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon XSi vs Sony DSLR-A300

Compared to Pentax K2000

Sony DSLR-A200

Pentax K2000

$470
APS-C

Less expensive
More telephoto lens reach

$556
APS-C

Lens selection
More cross-type AF points

Compare Sony DSLR-A200 vs Pentax K2000

Canon XSi

Pentax K2000

$649
APS-C

More pixels
More AF points

$556
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Canon XSi vs Pentax K2000

Compared to Canon T1i

Sony DSLR-A200

Canon T1i

$470
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$900
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony DSLR-A200 vs Canon T1i

Canon XSi

Canon T1i

$649
APS-C

Longer stills battery life

$900
APS-C

Fast startup
HDMI out

Compare Canon XSi vs Canon T1i

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