Sony a57 vs Canon EOS 50D

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a57 and Canon EOS 50D. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a57 is manufacturered by Sony but Canon EOS 50D is from Canon. Both Sony and Canon are well known brands though.

Sony a57 were released 2012 and Canon EOS 50D was released 2008. That is a 4 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a57 2012
Canon EOS 50D 2008

Type of camera

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a57 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Canon EOS 50D 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 a57 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Canon EOS 50D 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 a57 has a 16 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 50D has 15,1 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a57 16 MP
16032768 pixels
4912 x 3264
Canon EOS 50D 15,1 MP
15054336 pixels
4752 x 3168

Sony a57 has a 6 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 50D. 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 a57 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 50D. Sony a57 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 16000 while Canon EOS 50D has 100 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a57 100-16000
Canon EOS 50D 100-12800

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 a57
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 50D

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a57 can shoot up to 12 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 50D can shoot up to 6,3 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a57 12
Canon EOS 50D 6,3

Ability to record movies

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

When comparing these two cameras there is only one of them that can shoot movies and that is Sony a57. Unfortunately Canon EOS 50D does not support recording movies and movie clips.

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.

Canon EOS 50D weighs 822 gr (equal to 1.81 lb) which is 33% heavier than Sony a57 and its 618 gr (or 1.36 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a57 618 gr
1.36 lb
Canon EOS 50D 822 gr
1.81 lb

Sony a57 vs Canon EOS 50D Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a57 and Canon EOS 50D, 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 a57
Canon EOS 50D
Name Sony a57 Canon EOS 50D
Manufacturer Sony Canon
Release Date and Price
Sony a57
Canon EOS 50D
Release Year 2012 2008
Release Date 2012-03-13 2008-08-26
MSRP 699 USD 1399 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a57
Canon EOS 50D
Camera Type SLT DSLR
Sensor
Sony a57
Canon EOS 50D
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 4752 x 3168 pixels
Megapixels 16 MP 15,1 MP
Image Processor Bionz DIGIC 4
Image
Sony a57
Canon EOS 50D
ISO Range 100 - 16000 100 - 12800
White Balance Presets 9 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 a57
Canon EOS 50D
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
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 a57
Canon EOS 50D
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 921000 920000
Touch screen No No
Screen type Xtra Fine TFT drive with TruBlack technology TFT liquid-crystal color LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 1.04× (0.69× 35mm equiv.) 0.95× (0.59× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a57
Canon EOS 50D
Frames per second 12 fps 6,3 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range 10 meters 13 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a57
Canon EOS 50D
Video recording Yes No
Video format MPEG4
H.264
AVCHD
N/A
Video resolution 1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
N/A
Built-in Microphone Yes No
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Sony a57
Canon EOS 50D
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Sony a57
Canon EOS 50D
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
No
Remote Control Yes (Optional) Yes (N3 connector)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a57
Canon EOS 50D
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Rechargeable NP-FM500H battery & charger
Lithium-Ion BP-511A rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 550 shots 800 shots
Width 132 mm 146 mm
Height 98 mm 108 mm
Depth 81 mm 74 mm
Weight 618 gram 822 gram