Sony a7 vs Canon EOS Rebel XSi

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a7 and Canon EOS Rebel XSi. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a7 is manufacturered by Sony but Canon EOS Rebel XSi is from Canon. Both Sony and Canon are well known brands though.

Sony a7 were released 2013 and Canon EOS Rebel XSi was released 2008. That is a 5 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a7 2013
Canon EOS Rebel XSi 2008

Type of camera

Sony a7 is a Mirrorless camera while Canon EOS Rebel XSi is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a7 has a "Sony Full Frame"-sensor while Canon EOS Rebel XSi 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 a7 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Canon EOS Rebel XSi 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 a7 has a 24 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS Rebel XSi has 12,2 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a7 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000
Canon EOS Rebel XSi 12,2 MP
12166656 pixels
4272 x 2848

Sony a7 has a 97 % larger resolution than Canon EOS Rebel XSi. 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 a7 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS Rebel XSi. Sony a7 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Canon EOS Rebel XSi has 100 to 1600.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a7 100-25600
Canon EOS Rebel XSi 100-1600

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 a7
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS Rebel XSi

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a7 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS Rebel XSi can shoot up to 3,5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a7 5
Canon EOS Rebel XSi 3,5

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 a7. Unfortunately Canon EOS Rebel XSi 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 Rebel XSi weighs 524 gr (equal to 1.16 lb) which is 11% heavier than Sony a7 and its 474 gr (or 1.04 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a7 474 gr
1.04 lb
Canon EOS Rebel XSi 524 gr
1.16 lb

Sony a7 vs Canon EOS Rebel XSi Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a7 and Canon EOS Rebel XSi, 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 a7
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Name Sony a7 Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Manufacturer Sony Canon
Release Date and Price
Sony a7
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Release Year 2013 2008
Release Date 2013-10-16 2008-01-24
MSRP 1699 USD 799 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a7
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Sony a7
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 6000 x 4000 pixels 4272 x 2848 pixels
Megapixels 24 MP 12,2 MP
Image Processor Bionz X DIGIC 3
Image
Sony a7
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
ISO Range 100 - 25600 100 - 1600
White Balance Presets 10 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a7
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Focus Points 117 9
Lens Mount Sony E

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF
Canon EF-S

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier Full frame
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 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 a7
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 1230000 230000
Touch screen No No
Screen type Xtra Fine LCD N/A
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.71× 0.87× (0.54× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a7
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Frames per second 5 fps 3,5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash No Yes
Built-in Flash Range N/A 13 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 +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a7
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Video recording Yes No
Video format MPEG4
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 a7
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a7
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
HDMI Output Yes No
Microphone Port Yes No
Headphone Port Yes No
Wireless Yes
Built-In ( with NFC and wireless control via PlayMemories Mobile app)
No
Remote Control Yes (wired) Yes (E3 connector, InfraRed)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a7
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details NP-FW50 lithium-ion battery and charger
Battery Pack LP-E5
Battery Life (CIPA) 340 shots 600 shots
Width 127 mm 129 mm
Height 94 mm 98 mm
Depth 48 mm 62 mm
Weight 474 gram 524 gram