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Sony Alpha SLT-A57 · Photo source

Sony Alpha SLT-A57
Photo 1 of 8

Sony Alpha SLT-A57 · Photo source

Sony · Alpha

Alpha SLT-A57

Released April 2012

A 16.1 MP APS-C A-mount camera with a translucent mirror, phase-detection video autofocus and cropped 12 fps continuous shooting.

Type
Translucent mirror
Sensor
APS-C
Megapixels
16.1
Lens
Sony A-mount
Video
1920 × 1080 at 60 fps
Body weight
539 g

What reviewers say

Both reviews praised image quality, fast autofocus and capable video recording. PhotographyBlog liked the viewfinder and handling but noted lost JPEG detail from noise reduction and the bottom-hinged screen’s positioning limits. PhotoReview found video sound clear with few operating noises; PhotographyBlog warned that lens focusing could be heard.

From photographyblog.com and photoreview.com.au

Specifications

Report a wrong or missing spec

Image and sensor

Camera type
Translucent mirror
Sensor format
APS-C
Sensor type
Exmor APS HD CMOS
Sensor dimensions
23.5 × 15.6 mm
Effective resolution
16.1 MP
Largest image
4912 × 3264
RAW recording
Yes
Standard ISO range
100–16000
Sensor detail
16.7 million total photosites; fixed translucent mirror feeds a dedicated phase-detection AF sensor while the main sensor supplies live view
Image formats
JPEG, RAW (Sony ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG and 3D MPO panoramas; 3:2 or 16:9 stills
ISO detail
Auto ISO 100–3200; multi-frame noise reduction extends sensitivity to ISO 25600; movies ISO 100–3200
Image processor
BIONZ

Lens and shooting

Lens mount
Sony A-mount
Stabilisation
Sensor shift
Maximum continuous burst
10 fps
Lens detail
Compatible Sony, Minolta and Konica Minolta A-mount AF lenses; kit lenses are separate from body specifications
Autofocus
15-point phase-detection AF with three cross sensors; EV −1–18 at ISO 100 with an F2.8 lens; AF-S, AF-A, AF-C and manual focus; zone and local selection, tracking AF and Eye-Start
Shutter
1/4000–30 seconds and Bulb; flash sync 1/160 second
Burst detail
Up to 12 fps with full-time continuous AF in Tele-zoom Continuous Advance Priority AE: 1.4× centre crop, medium/small JPEG only. Full-resolution Continuous Advance Priority AE reaches 10 fps; ordinary drive 8 fps Hi or 3 fps Lo. Maker buffer claim at 10 fps: 23 Fine JPEG, 27 Standard JPEG, 21 RAW or 18 RAW+JPEG frames; cropped 12 fps: 23 Fine or 25 Standard JPEG frames. In the 10/12 fps AF modes aperture is controlled to f/3.5, or the maximum aperture of a slower lens; the 12 fps maximum image is approximately 8.4 MP.
Stabilisation detail
SteadyShot INSIDE sensor shift for stills, maker claim approximately 2.5–4.5 stops; electronic stabilisation for movies
Flash
Automatic 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 controls
PASM, Intelligent Auto, Superior Auto, scene and panorama modes; 1200-zone metering; ±3 EV compensation in 1/3 steps; three-frame Auto HDR, D-Range Optimizer, Picture Effects and Auto Portrait Framing

Video

Highest video resolution
1920 × 1080 at 60 fps
Video detail
Japan/NTSC model: 1920 × 1080 AVCHD 2.0 at 60p/28 Mbps, 60i/24 or 17 Mbps, and 24p/24 or 17 Mbps. PAL models use 50p, 50i and 25p. MP4 supports 1440 × 1080 or VGA. P/A/S/M movie exposure modes require manual focus; continuous phase-detection AF is available with automatic movie exposure.
Audio
Built-in stereo microphone with wind-noise reduction, external stereo microphone input and mono playback speaker

Screen and viewfinder

Viewfinder
Electronic
Screen size
3″
Screen dots
921,600
Touchscreen
No
Tilting screen
Yes
Display detail
Xtra Fine LCD with 180° tilt and 270° rotation on a bottom hinge; focus peaking and magnification; dots count colour subpixels
Viewfinder detail
0.46-type SVGA electronic finder, 100% coverage; 1,440,000 effective dots at maximum magnification (1.04× with a 50 mm lens), or 1,253,280 at standard magnification (0.97×); electronic level and grids

Connections and design

Battery life (maker's claim)
550 photographs
Body weight
539 g
Release detail
Sony UK specifies early April 2012 for European availability; Japan’s revised announcement specifies 27 April 2012. April is the earliest maker-stated retail precision found.
Recording media
Single slot accepting SD, SDHC, SDXC, Memory Stick PRO Duo and PRO-HG Duo
Ports
USB 2.0 Hi-Speed, mini HDMI Type C, 3.5 mm stereo microphone input, wired remote and DC input; optional infrared remote; Auto-lock accessory shoe
Battery life detail
NP-FM500H; CIPA maker claim approximately 550 photographs using the viewfinder or 590 using the LCD
Charging
Supplied BC-VM10A external charger
Dimensions
Approximately 132.1 × 97.5 × 80.7 mm (width × height × depth), excluding protrusions
Weight detail
Approximately 539 g body only; 618 g including battery and Memory Stick PRO Duo
Colours
Black
In the box
NP-FM500H battery, BC-VM10A charger, shoulder strap, eyepiece cup, USB cable and software CD; lenses depend on kit

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Continuous phase-detection autofocus for stills and movies
  • Sensor-shift still-image stabilisation and RAW recording
  • Articulating screen and electronic viewfinder

Cons

  • Fastest 12 fps mode crops the image and excludes RAW
  • No built-in GPS

Closest rivals

Model
TypeSensorMegapixelsLensVideoBody weightReleased
SonyAlpha SLT-A37
Translucent mirrorAPS-C16.1Sony A-mount1920 × 1080 at 30 fps448 gMay 2012
SonyAlpha SLT-A35
Translucent mirrorAPS-C16.2Sony A-mount1920 × 1080 at 25 fps415 gJul 2011
SonyAlpha SLT-A58
Translucent mirrorAPS-C20.1Sony A-mount1920 × 1080 at 30 fps492 gApr 2013

Sources

  1. sony.jp/ichigan/products/archive/SLT-A57/spec.html
  2. mynewsdesk.com/uk/sony-europe/pressreleases/a57-from-sony-with-translucent-mirr…
  3. sony.jp/CorporateCruise/Press/201203/12-0321

Photo: sony.jp

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