Sony a55 vs Canon EOS 1100D

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a55 and Canon EOS 1100D. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a55 is manufacturered by Sony but Canon EOS 1100D is from Canon. Both Sony and Canon are well known brands though.

Sony a55 were released 2010 and Canon EOS 1100D was released 2011. That is a 1 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a55 2010
Canon EOS 1100D 2011

Type of camera

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a55 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Canon EOS 1100D has a "Canon APS-C"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Sony a55 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Canon EOS 1100D 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6

** 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)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Sony a55 has a 16 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 1100D has 12,2 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a55 16 MP
16032768 pixels
4912 x 3264
Canon EOS 1100D 12,2 MP
12166656 pixels
4272 x 2848

Sony a55 has a 32 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 1100D. 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 a55 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 1100D. Sony a55 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 12800 while Canon EOS 1100D has 100 to 6400.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a55 100-12800
Canon EOS 1100D 100-6400

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 a55
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 1100D

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a55 can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 1100D can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a55 10
Canon EOS 1100D 3

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Sony a55 and Canon EOS 1100D can shoot movies.

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 a55 weighs 500 gr (equal to 1.1 lb) which is 1% heavier than Canon EOS 1100D and its 495 gr (or 1.09 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a55 500 gr
1.1 lb
Canon EOS 1100D 495 gr
1.09 lb

Sony a55 vs Canon EOS 1100D Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a55 and Canon EOS 1100D, 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 a55
Canon EOS 1100D
Name Sony a55 Canon EOS 1100D
Manufacturer Sony Canon
Release Date and Price
Sony a55
Canon EOS 1100D
Release Year 2010 2011
Release Date 2010-08-24 2011-02-07
MSRP 749 USD 419 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a55
Canon EOS 1100D
Camera Type SLT DSLR
Sensor
Sony a55
Canon EOS 1100D
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4912 x 3264 pixels 4272 x 2848 pixels
Megapixels 16 MP 12,2 MP
Image Processor Bionz DIGIC 4
Image
Sony a55
Canon EOS 1100D
ISO Range 100 - 12800 100 - 6400
White Balance Presets 6 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a55
Canon EOS 1100D
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 15 9
Lens Mount Sony A

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF
Canon EF-S

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
1.6x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 38 mm
50 mm becomes 80 mm
100 mm becomes 160 mm
200 mm becomes 320 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Sony a55
Canon EOS 1100D
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Fixed
Screen size 3” 2.7”
Screen dots 921000 230000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A TFT color LCD, liquid-crystal monitor
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 1.1× (0.73× 35mm equiv.) 0.8× (0.5× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a55
Canon EOS 1100D
Frames per second 10 fps 3 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 10 meters 9 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Partial
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a55
Canon EOS 1100D
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
AVCHD
H.264
Video resolution 1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
1280 x 720
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers No No
Storage
Sony a55
Canon EOS 1100D
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a55
Canon EOS 1100D
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control Yes (Optional) Yes (E3 connector)
GPS Yes
Built-in
No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a55
Canon EOS 1100D
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Rechargeable NP-FW50 battery & charger
Lithium-Ion LP-E10 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 380 shots 700 shots
Width 124 mm 130 mm
Height 92 mm 100 mm
Depth 85 mm 78 mm
Weight 500 gram 495 gram