Request a product

Sony Alpha SLT-A55 vs Sony Alpha SLT-A57

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

SonyAlpha SLT-A55SonyAlpha SLT-A57
Overview
ReleasedSeptember 2010April 2012
Image and sensor
Camera typeTranslucent mirrorTranslucent mirror
Sensor formatAPS-CAPS-C
Sensor typeExmor APS HD CMOSExmor APS HD CMOS
Sensor dimensions23.5 × 15.6 mm23.5 × 15.6 mm
Effective resolution16.2 MP16.1 MP
Largest image4912 × 32644912 × 3264
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range100–12800100–16000
Sensor detail16.7 million total photosites; fixed translucent mirror feeds a dedicated phase-detection AF sensor while the main sensor supplies live view16.7 million total photosites; fixed translucent mirror feeds a dedicated phase-detection AF sensor while the main sensor supplies live view
Image formatsJPEG, RAW (Sony ARW 2.2) and RAW+JPEG; 3:2 or 16:9 stills; Sweep Panorama and 3D MPO panorama recordingJPEG, RAW (Sony ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG and 3D MPO panoramas; 3:2 or 16:9 stills
ISO detailAuto ISO 100–1600; multi-frame noise reduction extends sensitivity to ISO 25600; movie Auto ISO 100–3200Auto ISO 100–3200; multi-frame noise reduction extends sensitivity to ISO 25600; movies ISO 100–3200
Image processorBIONZBIONZ
Lens and shooting
Lens mountSony A-mountSony A-mount
StabilisationSensor shiftSensor shift
Maximum continuous burst10 fps10 fps
Lens detailCompatible Sony, Minolta and Konica Minolta A-mount AF lenses; kit lenses are separate from body specificationsCompatible Sony, Minolta and Konica Minolta A-mount AF lenses; kit lenses are separate from body specifications
Autofocus15-point phase-detection AF with three cross sensors; EV −1–18 at ISO 100; single-shot, automatic and continuous AF, manual focus and Eye-Start AF15-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
Shutter1/4000–30 seconds and Bulb; flash sync 1/160 second1/4000–30 seconds and Bulb; flash sync 1/160 second
Burst detailUp to 10 fps in Continuous Advance Priority AE with AF-C focus and exposure adjustment according to the maker manual; AF-S fixes focus to the first frame. Ordinary continuous drive reaches 6 fps; its maker buffer figures are 35 Fine JPEG, 39 Standard JPEG, 20 RAW or 20 RAW+JPEG frames. PhotographyBlog’s exposure-lock description conflicts with the manual; PhotoReview tested a late pre-production unit.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 detailSteadyShot INSIDE sensor-shift system; maker claim approximately 2.5–4 stops depending on lens and conditionsSteadyShot INSIDE sensor shift for stills, maker claim approximately 2.5–4.5 stops; electronic stabilisation for movies
FlashAutomatic 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 syncAutomatic 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 controlsPASM, Auto, Auto+, scene, panorama and Continuous Advance Priority AE modes; 1200-zone main-sensor metering; ±2 EV compensation in 1/3 steps; D-Range Optimizer and three-frame Auto HDRPASM, 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 resolution1920 × 1080 at 29.97 fps1920 × 1080 at 60 fps
Video detailJapan/NTSC specification is 1920 × 1080 AVCHD at 59.94 interlaced fields/s from 29.97 sensor frames/s, approximately 17 Mbps; PAL bodies use 50i from 25 frames/s. MP4 supports 1440 × 1080 and VGA. At 20°C Sony claims approximately nine minutes of continuous recording with SteadyShot enabled or 29 minutes disabled; higher temperatures shorten this further.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.
AudioBuilt-in stereo microphone, mono playback speaker and external microphone inputBuilt-in stereo microphone with wind-noise reduction, external stereo microphone input and mono playback speaker
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderElectronicElectronic
Screen size3″3″
Screen dots921,600921,600
Touchscreen–No
Tilting screenYesYes
Display detailXtra Fine TruBlack LCD; 180° tilt and 270° rotation on a bottom hinge; dots count colour subpixelsXtra Fine LCD with 180° tilt and 270° rotation on a bottom hinge; focus peaking and magnification; dots count colour subpixels
Viewfinder detailElectronic finder with approximately 100% coverage, 1.10× magnification with a 50 mm lens, and 1,152,000 effective equivalent dots out of 1,440,000 total; electronic level and grid display0.46-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)330 photographs550 photographs
Body weight441 g539 g
Release detailSony Japan specifies 10 September 2010 for SLT-A55V; the US announcement specifies October 2010. September is the earliest maker-stated retail month found.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 mediaSingle slot accepting SD, SDHC, SDXC, Memory Stick PRO Duo and PRO-HG DuoSingle slot accepting SD, SDHC, SDXC, Memory Stick PRO Duo and PRO-HG Duo
PortsUSB 2.0 Hi-Speed, mini HDMI Type C, external microphone input and wired remote terminal; optional infrared remote and AC adaptorUSB 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
Wireless connectionsSLT-A55V includes GPS geotagging; SLT-A55 sold in some markets omits GPS. The Japanese specification and photo represent SLT-A55V.–
Battery life detailNP-FW50; CIPA maker claim approximately 330 photographs using the viewfinder or 380 using the LCDNP-FM500H; CIPA maker claim approximately 550 photographs using the viewfinder or 590 using the LCD
ChargingSupplied BC-VW1 external battery chargerSupplied BC-VM10A external charger
DimensionsApproximately 124.4 × 92 × 84.7 mm (width × height × depth)Approximately 132.1 × 97.5 × 80.7 mm (width × height × depth), excluding protrusions
Weight detailApproximately 441 g body only; 500 g including battery and Memory Stick PRO DuoApproximately 539 g body only; 618 g including battery and Memory Stick PRO Duo
ColoursBlackBlack
In the boxNP-FW50 battery, BC-VW1 charger, USB cable, shoulder strap, caps and software CD; kit lenses depend on configurationNP-FM500H battery, BC-VM10A charger, shoulder strap, eyepiece cup, USB cable and software CD; lenses depend on kit

More comparisons