Sony a500 vs Sony a330

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a500 and Sony a330. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Sony.

These two camera models were both released 2009.

Camera Released
Sony a500 2009
Sony a330 2009

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Sony APS-C") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Neither of the cameras has a Full frame sensor which means that you will get a "crop factor" where the camera's sensor size affect the focal length with a multiplier.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Sony a500 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Sony a330 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Sony)

Resolution

Sony a500 has a 12 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Sony a330 has 10 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a500 12 MP
12166656 pixels
4272 x 2848
Sony a330 10 MP
10036224 pixels
3872 x 2592

Sony a500 has a 21 % larger resolution than Sony a330. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Sony a500 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a330. Sony a500 has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 12800 while Sony a330 has 100 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a500 200-12800
Sony a330 100-3200

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a500
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a330

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a500 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds and Sony a330 can shoot up to 2,5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a500 5
Sony a330 2,5

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

Though, neither Sony a500 or Sony a330 can shoot movies so if that is a functionality that you are really looking for you should look elsewhere.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Sony a500 weighs 630 gr (equal to 1.39 lb) which is 19% heavier than Sony a330 and its 529 gr (or 1.17 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a500 630 gr
1.39 lb
Sony a330 529 gr
1.17 lb

Sony a500 vs Sony a330 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a500 and Sony a330, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Sony a500
Sony a330
Name Sony a500 Sony a330
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Release Date and Price
Sony a500
Sony a330
Release Year 2009 2009
Release Date 2009-08-27 2009-05-18
MSRP 549 USD 649 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a500
Sony a330
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Sony a500
Sony a330
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CCD
Resolution 4272 x 2848 pixels 3872 x 2592 pixels
Megapixels 12 MP 10 MP
Image Processor Bionz Bionz
Image
Sony a500
Sony a330
ISO Range 200 - 12800 100 - 3200
White Balance Presets 6 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a500
Sony a330
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 9 9
Lens Mount Sony A

See Compatible Lenses
Sony A

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-C Sensor (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
APS-C Sensor (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Sony a500
Sony a330
Articulated LCD Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3” 2.7”
Screen dots 230000 230400
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A N/A
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.) 0.74× (0.49× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a500
Sony a330
Frames per second 5 fps 2,5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range 12 meters 10 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a500
Sony a330
Video recording No No
Video format N/A N/A
Video resolution N/A N/A
Built-in Microphone No No
Built-in Speakers No No
Storage
Sony a500
Sony a330
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a500
Sony a330
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No No
Remote Control Yes (Wired or wirelss (Optional)) Yes (Wireless (Optional))
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a500
Sony a330
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion NP-FM500H rechargeable battery & charger
Lithium-Ion NP-FH50 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 520 shots 529 shots
Width 137 mm 128 mm
Height 104 mm 97 mm
Depth 84 mm 71 mm
Weight 630 gram 529 gram