Sony SLT Alpha 57 vs Sony SLT Alpha 58 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Sony · DSLR · 16.1 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony SLT Alpha 57
52
SCORE
|
Sony · DSLR · 20.1 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony SLT Alpha 58
53
WINNER
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Sony SLT Alpha 57 and Sony SLT Alpha 58 are APS-C DSLR-style cameras from the same Sony SLT line, each built around an electronic viewfinder. The Alpha 57 arrived in 2012, and the Alpha 58 followed in 2013 as its successor. For carrying, the Alpha 58 is the lighter body at 492 g against 618 g, a saving of 126 g. It is also smaller at 129 x 95 x 78 mm versus 132 x 98 x 81 mm. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2012 | 2013 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
March 12, 2012 | February 20, 2013 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 132 x 98 x 81 mm | 129 x 95 x 78 mm |
| Camera weight | 618 g | 492 g |
| Optics | 59/100 | 63/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Alpha 58 is the stronger choice for heavy cropping, with 20.1 megapixels on its APS-C CMOS sensor against 16.1 on the Alpha 57. That extra resolution gives more room to crop a distant bird or pull detail from a landscape without carrying a longer lens. For fast action the Alpha 57 is the clear winner, shooting at up to 12 frames per second against 5. It also reaches ISO 25600 in expanded mode, where the Alpha 58 stops at 16000. Both share 15 autofocus points, in-body stabilisation, the Bionz processor and a 1,440,000-dot electronic viewfinder. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16.1 MP050 | 20.1 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4912 x 3264 | 5456 x 3632 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
15.6 x 23.5 | 15.6 x 23.5 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
12 fps045 | 5 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Sony Alpha | Sony Alpha DT |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Bionz | Bionz |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
160003003280000 | 160003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
256003003280000 | 160003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
150300 | 150300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Electronic | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | 144000009900000 | 144000009900000 |
| Video | 56/100 | 43/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe Alpha 57 gives far more room for motion work in the edit, with a frame rate reaching 60 fps against 24 fps on the Alpha 58. Conforming 60 fps footage to a 30 fps timeline gives half-speed playback the Alpha 58 cannot match. Both record in AVCHD and MP4, with a maximum video resolution of Full HD, and the Alpha 57 adds MPEG-4 AVC output. Neither camera has a built-in timelapse mode. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Full HD | Full HD |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
60 fps | 24 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
AVCHD, MP4, MPEG-4 AVC | AVCHD, MP4 |
| Features | 41/100 | 34/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Alpha 57's rear screen is much better for confirming focus after a shot, showing 921,000 dots on a 3-inch panel against 460,000 dots on the Alpha 58's 2.7-inch display. Both offer a flip screen for low and overhead angles, live view, a built-in flash and an external flash connection. Neither has GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, touch control or weather sealing, so geotagging and wireless transfer are unavailable on either body. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | TFT LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 3" | 2.7" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
9210001150001500000 | 4600001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 29/100 | 32/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe Alpha 58 offers the longer rated battery life for a long day out, at 690 shots against 550 for the Alpha 57 under their test conditions. Both run on the same NP-FM500H battery, so one spare covers either body. Storage matches exactly: each accepts SD, SDHC and SDXC cards plus Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo media, through a single card slot. Neither supports USB charging. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | NP-FM500H | NP-FM500H |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
550 shots1505000 | 690 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Alpha 57 if you photograph sports, wildlife or shoot video. Its 12 fps burst, 60 fps frame rate ceiling, ISO 25600 expanded setting and more detailed 3-inch screen all serve that work.
Choose the Alpha 58 for landscapes, travel and long sessions where detail and endurance matter. Its 20.1 megapixel sensor gives the cropping headroom, its 492 g body is lighter to pack, and its 690-shot rating offers more shooting between charges under test conditions. Both share stabilisation and the same 1,440,000-dot electronic viewfinder, so the choice comes down to speed versus detail.