Sony Alpha A200/A300 vs. Canon EOS Rebel XTi/XSi?

Question

Which is better for entry-level?

Answer 1

idk

Answer 2

We'll compare

1) Sony Alpha A200 vs. CAnon EOS XTI/400D

2) Sony Alpha A350 vs. CAnon EOS XSI/450D (since A350 is mostly the closest rival of XSI

1) A200 vs. XTI:

Canon may have announced the EOS 450D / Rebel XSi, but it’s keeping the earlier 400D / XTi on as its ‘new’ entry-level DSLR. As such it goes directly up against Sony’s Alpha A200. Since the A200 is so similar to its predecessor, the argument between it and the 400D / XTi is similar to previous comparisons.

Without Live View, faster continuous shooting or a higher resolution sensor, both models are quite similar. Both have 10 Megapixel sensors, 3fps continuous shooting, no Live View, and 9-point AF systems. In the A200’s favour is built-in anti-shake facilities, a slightly longer 18-70mm kit zoom lens, a slightly bigger 2.7in screen, 3200 ISO sensitivity, spot-metering and an InfoLithium battery pack with accurate feedback.

As such, Sony’s cleverly out-specified the 400D / XTi while holding back the big guns for the other Alphas in the range. But like the A100 before it, the A200's high ISO performance is below that of the Canon. It's a tough call with both cameras carrying the same RRP, although most first-time buyers would probably accept the A200's artefacts at higher sensitivities in return for its built-in anti-shake. But we’ve seen the Canon being sold from reputable online dealers for over $100 USD less. So if your budget is tight, the Canon may be more appealing, but the A200 remains a compelling alternative, again considering its built-in anti-shake.

A200:

Good points

Built-in anti-shake - works with any lens.

InfoLithium battery gives accurate feedback.

18-70mm kit lens longer than most rivals.

Quicker AF than predecessor.

Bad points

Relatively noisy at 800 ISO and above.

No Live View (but it's on the A300 version).

Anti-dust system not effective in our tests.

Flash doesn't popup as high as rivals.

EOS XTI/400D:

Good points

Low noise, high quality images

Wide range of anti-dust options

Nine-point AF from EOS 30D

Great value for money

Bad points

Resolution not a big step-up from 350D / XT

Anti-dust not 100% infallible

No anti-shake in standard kit

Sony Alpha A100 a tough rival

2)EOS XSI/450D vs. ALpha A350

Until Nikon comes out with a successor to the D80, Sony’s Alpha DSLR-A350 is likely to be the biggest rival to the Canon 450D / XSi. Both kits cost around the same amount, with the A350 standing-up well against the Canon in terms of features, sporting two extra Megapixels (giving a slight advantage at the lowest sensitivity), a tiltable screen, quicker AF in Live View, accurate feedback on battery life remaining, and crucially, built-in stabilisation which works with any lens you attach. Sony's kit lens is slightly longer too, zooming into 70mm compared to the Canon’s 55mm.

In its favour, the Canon 450D / XSi has lower noise at high sensitivities, a bigger 3in screen (albeit fixed in position), quicker 3.5fps continuous shooting, a visibly bigger viewfinder, 14-bit image processing, PC remote control software and a Live View mode which may be slower in operation, but offers a true preview of what you’ll be capturing from the main sensor. And as owners of Sony's debut A100 lament the loss of mirror lockup and depth of field previews on the new models, it's revealing Canon has both on the 450D / XSi.

It’s a tough one to weigh-up, and a lot will boil down to which Live View system you prefer, and of course which body looks and feels better to you personally)

EOS XSI/450D

Good points

Good handling and image quality.

Decent viewfinder and accurate Live View.

Kit includes stabilised lens.

PC remote control software supplied.

Bad points

Live View not as fuss-free as Sony A350.

Screen fixed in position, unlike A350.

Some may find it too small and light.

Tempting to upgrade further to EOS 40D

Sony Alpha A350

Good points

Built-in anti-shake - works with any lens.

No-fuss Live View with quick AF.

Tilting monitor.

InfoLithium battery gives accurate feedback.

Bad points

Relatively small optical viewfinder.

Modest 2.5fps continuous shooting.

Live View not 100% accurate.

Anti-dust system not effective in our tests.