Sony Alpha SLT-A58 vs Canon SX220 HS

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Sony Alpha SLT-A58 and the Canon SX220 HS, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

Sony Alpha SLT-A58 was introduced in November 2013 and Canon SX220 HS was introduced in February 2011. Let us first list highlights of the models.

Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Sony Alpha SLT-A58 over Canon SX220 HS.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Canon SX220 HS over Sony Alpha SLT-A58.

We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

Screen

Sony Alpha SLT-A58 has a 2.7" Tilting screen with 460k dot resolution and Canon SX220 HS has a 3.0" Fixed screen with 461k dot resolution. Tilting screen makes Sony Alpha SLT-A58 very useful for photography purposes but not so useful for video shooting.

Electronic Viewfinder on Sony Alpha SLT-A58

Sony Alpha SLT-A58 has a built-in Electronic viewfinder with 1,440k dot resolution. It has a 100% coverage and 0.97x (0.65x 35mm equivalent) magnification. There is no built-in or optional viewfinder available on Canon SX220 HS.

Sony Alpha SLT-A58 features a 20.1 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 23.2 x 15.4 mm and a total area of 357.3 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 16,000 and expands to 100 - 25,600 in boosted mode. Canon SX220 HS features a 12 megapixel 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor with dimensions of 6.17 x 4.55 mm and a total area of 20.7 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 3,200.

Canon SX220 HS has BSI-CMOS sensor, short for Backside Illuminated Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor sensor. In traditional CMOS sensors, the wiring and circuitry are located on the front side of the sensor, which can block some of the incoming light. BSI technology flips this design by placing the photosensitive elements (pixels) on the backside of the sensor, allowing more light to reach the pixels. This significantly enhances light sensitivity and improves low-light performance. BSI-CMOS sensors are particularly effective in low-light conditions, as they can capture more light, resulting in brighter and less noisy images. This makes them well-suited for indoor and night photography. BSI-CMOS sensors deliver a higher SNR and reduced cross-talk.

Sony Alpha SLT-A58 can take pictures up to 5456 x 3632 resolution. Canon SX220 HS is equipped with DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology processor and can take pictures up to 4000 x 3000 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4000 x 3000, 4000 x 2248, 4000 x 2664, 2992 x 2992, 2816 x 2112, 2816 x 1880, 2816 x 1584, 2112 x 2112, 1920 x 1080, 1600 x 1200, 1600 x 1064, 1200 x 1200, 640 x 480, 640 x 424, 640 x 360, 480 x 480 with 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios.

Image Stabilization

The cameras have a built-in image stabilization. On Sony Alpha SLT-A58 it means that you are still getting vibration reduction when it is paired with non-image stabilizied lenses. It also works with lenses with optical image stabilization and in combination can achieve even better compensation.

USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. Sony Alpha SLT-A58 has a Mini Type C HDMI and Canon SX220 HS has a Mini HDMI connector for video signal output.

Battery

Sony Alpha SLT-A58 comes with NP-FM500H battery pack with battery life of 690 shots and Canon SX220 HS comes with NB-5L battery pack with battery life of 210 shots.

External Storage Slots

Sony Alpha SLT-A58 has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo card slot. Canon SX220 HS has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/ MMCplus/HC MMCplus card slot.

Shutter

Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Sony Alpha SLT-A58, and up to 1/3200 sec on Canon SX220 HS. Sony Alpha SLT-A58 can shoot continuously up to 8.0 fps. Canon SX220 HS can shoot continuously up to 3.2 fps.

Flash

Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 10.00 m (@ ISO 100) on Sony Alpha SLT-A58 and 3.50 m on Canon SX220 HS. Sony Alpha SLT-A58 also accepts external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/160 sec on Sony Alpha SLT-A58 and 1/2000 sec on Canon SX220 HS.

Sony Alpha SLT-A58 body has dimensions of 129 x 95 x 78 mm (5.08 x 3.74 x 3.07") and Canon SX220 HS body has dimensions of 106 x 59 x 33 mm (4.17 x 2.32 x 1.3"). Sony Alpha SLT-A58 weighs 492 g (1.08 lb / 17.35 oz) and Canon SX220 HS weighs [].

Sony Alpha SLT-A58

Canon SX220 HS

129 mm

95 mm

106 mm

59 mm

95 mm

59 mm