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Sony Alpha SLT-A33 vs Sony Alpha SLT-A55

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

SonyAlpha SLT-A33SonyAlpha SLT-A55
Overview
ReleasedSeptember 2010September 2010
Image and sensor
Camera typeTranslucent mirrorTranslucent mirror
Sensor formatAPS-CAPS-C
Sensor typeExmor APS HD CMOSExmor APS HD CMOS
Sensor dimensions23.4 × 15.6 mm23.5 × 15.6 mm
Effective resolution14.2 MP16.2 MP
Largest image4592 × 30564912 × 3264
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range100–12800100–12800
Sensor detail14.6 million total photosites; fixed translucent mirror directs light to a separate phase-detection AF sensor while the main sensor supplies live view16.7 million total photosites; fixed translucent mirror feeds a dedicated phase-detection AF sensor while the main sensor supplies live view
Image formatsJPEG, RAW (Sony ARW 2.2) and RAW+JPEG; 3:2 or 16:9 stills; Sweep Panorama and 3D MPO panorama recordingJPEG, RAW (Sony ARW 2.2) and RAW+JPEG; 3:2 or 16:9 stills; Sweep Panorama and 3D MPO panorama recording
ISO detailAuto ISO 100–1600; multi-frame noise reduction extends sensitivity to ISO 25600; movie Auto ISO 100–1600Auto ISO 100–1600; multi-frame noise reduction extends sensitivity to ISO 25600; movie Auto ISO 100–3200
Image processorBIONZBIONZ
Lens and shooting
Lens mountSony A-mountSony A-mount
StabilisationSensor shiftSensor shift
Maximum continuous burst7 fps10 fps
Lens detailCompatible Sony, Minolta and Konica Minolta A-mount AF lenses; kit lenses are separate from body specificationsCompatible Sony, Minolta and Konica Minolta A-mount AF lenses; kit lenses are separate from body specifications
Autofocus15-point phase-detection AF with three cross sensors; EV −1–18 at ISO 100; single-shot, automatic and continuous AF, manual focus and Eye-Start AF15-point phase-detection AF with three cross sensors; EV −1–18 at ISO 100; single-shot, automatic and continuous AF, manual focus and Eye-Start AF
Shutter1/4000–30 seconds and Bulb; flash sync 1/160 second1/4000–30 seconds and Bulb; flash sync 1/160 second
Burst detailUp to 7 fps in Continuous Advance Priority AE, with focus and exposure adjusted during AF-C according to the maker manual; AF-S fixes focus to the first frame. Ordinary continuous drive reaches 6 fps; its maker buffer figures are 16 Fine JPEG, 20 Standard JPEG, seven RAW or seven RAW+JPEG frames. PhotographyBlog's exposure-lock description conflicts with the manual.Up to 10 fps in Continuous Advance Priority AE with AF-C focus and exposure adjustment according to the maker manual; AF-S fixes focus to the first frame. Ordinary continuous drive reaches 6 fps; its maker buffer figures are 35 Fine JPEG, 39 Standard JPEG, 20 RAW or 20 RAW+JPEG frames. PhotographyBlog’s exposure-lock description conflicts with the manual; PhotoReview tested a late pre-production unit.
Stabilisation detailSteadyShot INSIDE sensor-shift system; maker claim approximately 2.5–4 stops depending on lens and conditionsSteadyShot INSIDE sensor-shift system; maker claim approximately 2.5–4 stops depending on lens and conditions
FlashAutomatic pop-up flash, guide number 10 in metres at ISO 100; ADI and pre-flash TTL control; compatible external flash required for wireless flash and high-speed syncAutomatic pop-up flash, guide number 10 in metres at ISO 100; ADI and pre-flash TTL control; compatible external flash required for wireless flash and high-speed sync
Exposure controlsPASM, Auto, Auto+, scene, panorama and Continuous Advance Priority AE modes; 1200-zone main-sensor metering; ±2 EV compensation in 1/3 steps; D-Range Optimizer and three-frame Auto HDRPASM, Auto, Auto+, scene, panorama and Continuous Advance Priority AE modes; 1200-zone main-sensor metering; ±2 EV compensation in 1/3 steps; D-Range Optimizer and three-frame Auto HDR
Video
Highest video resolution1920 × 1080 at 29.97 fps1920 × 1080 at 29.97 fps
Video detailJapan/NTSC specification is 1920 × 1080 AVCHD at 59.94 interlaced fields/s from 29.97 sensor frames/s, approximately 17 Mbps; PAL bodies use 50i from 25 frames/s. MP4 supports 1440 × 1080 and VGA. At 20°C Sony claims approximately 11 minutes of continuous recording with SteadyShot enabled or 29 minutes disabled; higher temperatures shorten this further.Japan/NTSC specification is 1920 × 1080 AVCHD at 59.94 interlaced fields/s from 29.97 sensor frames/s, approximately 17 Mbps; PAL bodies use 50i from 25 frames/s. MP4 supports 1440 × 1080 and VGA. At 20°C Sony claims approximately nine minutes of continuous recording with SteadyShot enabled or 29 minutes disabled; higher temperatures shorten this further.
AudioBuilt-in stereo microphone, mono playback speaker and external microphone inputBuilt-in stereo microphone, mono playback speaker and external microphone input
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderElectronicElectronic
Screen size3″3″
Screen dots921,600921,600
Tilting screenYesYes
Display detailXtra Fine TruBlack LCD; 180° tilt and 270° rotation on a bottom hinge; dots count colour subpixelsXtra Fine TruBlack LCD; 180° tilt and 270° rotation on a bottom hinge; dots count colour subpixels
Viewfinder detailElectronic finder with approximately 100% coverage, 1.10× magnification with a 50 mm lens, and 1,152,000 effective equivalent dots out of 1,440,000 total; electronic level and grid displayElectronic finder with approximately 100% coverage, 1.10× magnification with a 50 mm lens, and 1,152,000 effective equivalent dots out of 1,440,000 total; electronic level and grid display
Connections and design
Battery life (maker's claim)270 photographs330 photographs
Body weight433 g441 g
Release detailSony's US announcement specifies September 2010 retail availability; Sony Japan specifies 10 September 2010. The month is the earliest maker-stated precision found across regions.Sony Japan specifies 10 September 2010 for SLT-A55V; the US announcement specifies October 2010. September is the earliest maker-stated retail month found.
Recording mediaSingle slot accepting SD, SDHC, SDXC, Memory Stick PRO Duo and PRO-HG DuoSingle slot accepting SD, SDHC, SDXC, Memory Stick PRO Duo and PRO-HG Duo
PortsUSB 2.0 Hi-Speed, mini HDMI Type C, external microphone input and wired remote terminal; optional infrared remote and AC adaptorUSB 2.0 Hi-Speed, mini HDMI Type C, external microphone input and wired remote terminal; optional infrared remote and AC adaptor
Wireless connections–SLT-A55V includes GPS geotagging; SLT-A55 sold in some markets omits GPS. The Japanese specification and photo represent SLT-A55V.
Battery life detailNP-FW50; CIPA maker claim approximately 270 photographs using the viewfinder or 340 using the LCDNP-FW50; CIPA maker claim approximately 330 photographs using the viewfinder or 380 using the LCD
ChargingSupplied BC-VW1 external battery chargerSupplied BC-VW1 external battery charger
DimensionsApproximately 124.4 × 92 × 84.7 mm (width × height × depth)Approximately 124.4 × 92 × 84.7 mm (width × height × depth)
Weight detailApproximately 433 g body only; 492 g including battery and Memory Stick PRO DuoApproximately 441 g body only; 500 g including battery and Memory Stick PRO Duo
ColoursBlackBlack
In the boxNP-FW50 battery, BC-VW1 charger, USB cable, shoulder strap, caps and software CD; kit lenses depend on configurationNP-FW50 battery, BC-VW1 charger, USB cable, shoulder strap, caps and software CD; kit lenses depend on configuration

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