Sony SLT-A57 Sony 1 4 50 Review | 108 Data compared

The Sony Alpha 57 (SLT-A57) is a mid-range translucent mirror camera (SLT) that clinches the top spot in the hobbyist DSLR ranking by offering top-tier performance well below the €1,000 mark. Upgraded from its predecessor (the Alpha 55), it features a larger, more ergonomic rubberised body that provides a vastly superior grip for users with larger hands or when handling heavy telephoto zoom lenses. Retaining a 16-megapixel APS-C sensor, the camera delivers outstanding image quality with a high dynamic range of 9.7 f-stops and excellent rendering of low-contrast details. It boasts a highly responsive phase-detection autofocus system that locks focus in just 0.29 seconds in daylight, features a swift 0.8-second startup time, and provides an impressive battery life capable of capturing nearly 1,000 shots per charge. Additionally, it includes premium features such as a sharp 3-inch articulating display, Full HD video recording at 50fps with a dedicated microphone input, a Sweep Panorama mode, and a variety of digital filters. Despite its stellar performance, the review highlights several critical shortcomings. The most notable omission is the complete removal of the built-in...

The Sony SLT-A57 is a high-performance mid-range camera, praised by digitalkamera.de for its fast 15-point phase-detection autofocus, exceptional 10-12 fps burst shooting, and robust battery life. It features a 16.1-megapixel sensor, versatile video capabilities, and solid, functional design with multiple connection ports. However, the fixed, translucent mirror reduces light gathering capability by about one-third, and the camera relies on a primarily plastic body construction. Additionally, users accustomed to traditional optical systems may find the transition to the electronic viewfinder challenging, despite its high resolution.

The Sony Alpha SLT-A57 is a highly competitive 16-megapixel APS-C camera utilizing Single Lens Translucent (SLT) technology, featuring a fixed translucent mirror instead of a traditional moving DSLR mirror. This architecture enables a standout continuous shooting speed of nearly 8 frames per second at full resolution and a permanent autofocus system that significantly outperforms rivals like the Canon 600D or Nikon D5100, particularly when tracking moving objects during 1080p video recording at up to 50p. The camera delivers excellent picture quality with minimal noise even at high ISO settings, stores images on both Memory Stick Pro and standard SD cards, and includes built-in features such as image stabilization, a fully articulating monitor, and an beginner-friendly interface with an on-screen help guide. On the downside, the SLT design replaces a traditional optical viewfinder with an electronic viewfinder (EVF) that is somewhat pixelated and lacks the higher resolution found in its sister model, the SLT-A77. Additionally, the A57 lacks a built-in GPS module for location tracking, a feature that is available in the more expensive A77. Despite these minor shortcomings, the review...

The Sony SLT-A57 is a highly capable entry-level travel camera that builds upon its predecessor, the A55, by integrating a 16.1-megapixel Exmor HD APS-C CMOS sensor with Sony's latest Bionz image processor. Utilizing a fixed, translucent mirror mechanism rather than a traditional moving SLR mirror, it splits light to allow continuous, high-speed phase-detection autofocusing during both rapid-fire burst modes and video recording. This technology enables the camera to capture blistering bursts of up to 12 frames per second and fluid Full HD videos at 50 frames per second in AVCHD format. Architecturally, it adopts the sturdier polycarbonate body of the higher-tier A65 and A77 models, significantly upgrading its ergonomics with a deeper handgrip and a vastly superior lithium-ion battery capable of delivering up to 550 shots per charge. The primary pros highlighted in the review include its compact, lightweight design (539g), excellent low-light performance with enhanced dynamic range and noise reduction up to ISO 3200, and a highly flexible, bottom-hinged 3-inch tilting and swiveling LCD screen. It also earns high praise for its remarkably fast shutter response—clocking a brief 0.29-second...

The PC-WELT review highlights the Sony Alpha SLT-A57 as a highly capable digital camera that benefits greatly from its signature translucent mirror technology. Thanks to this fixed mirror system, the camera does not need to flip a physical mirror up and down during shooting, enabling an impressive burst shooting rate of 12 frames per second. Core pros identified in the test include an excellent noise performance that keeps image defects negligible up to ISO 6400, a high input dynamic range capable of handling high-contrast scenes, and a fast autofocus system. Additionally, its feature-rich design stands out with a fully articulating, high-resolution 3-inch display (flipping 180 degrees down and rotating 270 degrees), seamless Full HD video recording at 50fps, a 4x digital zoom that delivers surprisingly good results, and an easy-to-use interface layout. Conversely, the review outlines several prominent cons, specifically regarding resolution and body design. The camera suffers from subpar output dynamic range—the measurement of brightness gradations between the lightest and darkest zones—and scored poorly in effective resolution, calculating to a disappointing 4.5 megapixels in lab tests due to weak...

The Sony Alpha 57 is reviewed as a highly capable and feature-rich hybrid camera that successfully bridges the gap between mirrorless system cameras and traditional DSLRs. Its standout feature is the fixed translucent mirror technology, which continuously routes light to a dedicated phase-detection autofocus sensor. This design allows the camera to deliver exceptionally fast and accurate autofocusing during live-view shooting, making it a great all-around performer for sports photography and video tracking. Major pros highlighted in the review include its impressive burst-shooting speed of up to 12 frames per second, a robust image buffer that significantly outperforms its predecessor (the Alpha 55) when shooting in RAW+JPEG format, and a fully articulating tilt-and-swivel display that facilitates easy filming at various angles. Furthermore, Sony successfully resolved the severe overheating issues during video recording that plagued the prior model. On the downside, the review identifies several notable cons regarding the camera's image processing, ergonomics, and battery life. While the camera demonstrates excellent control over color noise up to ISO 800, its aggressive internal noise reduction algorithm over-smooths images, which visibly sacrifices fine details....

The CHIP review highlights the Sony Alpha 57 as a top-performing, mid-range DSLR-style camera that successfully replaces the older Alpha 55. While maintaining a 16-megapixel resolution, the camera delivers a visible leap forward in overall image quality. Thanks to its competitive performance, it managed to secure the number one spot on CHIP’s DSLR leaderboard at the time of its release, carrying an initial body-only price tag of approximately 750 Euro. Pros & Cons Pros: Significant improvements in photo clarity, a very generous comfort and feature set, and top-tier overall performance for its class. Cons: The most notable omission from its suite of features is the lack of a built-in GPS receiver, which was present in previous design iterations.

The Sony Alpha SLT-A57 is a highly competitive entry-level interchangeable lens camera that stands out for its speed and responsive handling. Utilizing Sony's proprietary Translucent Mirror Technology, the camera features a fixed transparent mirror that enables full-time phase-detection autofocus for both stills and video recording. This architecture allows the 16.1-megapixel APS-C sensor to capture exceptionally fast bursts, firing at 10 frames per second (fps) at full resolution, or up to 12 fps in a specialized tele-zoom crop mode. The physical build introduces a deeper, more ergonomic handgrip than its predecessor, a robust 3-inch articulating "TrueBlack" LCD screen for flexible shooting angles, and crisp Full HD 1080p video recording at 50/60p. Despite its high-utility performance, the camera has notable limitations that users should consider. On the positive side, its primary pros include lightning-fast autofocus tracking, class-leading continuous burst rates, built-in sensor-shift image stabilization (SteadyShot Inside), and clear low-light image quality up to ISO 3200. Conversely, its main cons consist of an all-plastic outer shell that lacks weather sealing, a single control dial that complicates manual adjustments, and an electronic viewfinder (EVF)...