• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Sony A57 advantages over Canon G15

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/1.7 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.82 vs 1.90 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Better color depth
    23.4 vs 19.9 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    785 vs 165 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    13.0 vs 11.5 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    25 vs 10 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon G15 advantages over Sony A57

  • Less expensive
    $500 vs $800 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 770 vs 550 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Thinner
    40 mm vs 80 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • We haven’t finished our review of the Sony A57, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
  • Solid built and ergonomic, comfortable feel; Excellent f/1.8-2.8 5x optical zoom lens; Improved AF speed; Advanced photographic features, including PASM dial and RAW capture.

  • LCD screen no longer articulated; Optical viewfinder not very accurate and exhibits parallax; No WiFi or GPS.

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D5100

Sony A57
Nikon D5100
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Canon G15
Nikon D5100
  • $650
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Integrated ND filter
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Sony A37

Sony A57
Sony A37
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Higher-res screen
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • External Mic Jack
Canon G15
Sony A37
  • $650
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Pentax K-5 IIs

Sony A57
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO
Canon G15
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $650
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Integrated ND filter
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Olympus XZ-2

Sony A57
Olympus XZ-2
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
Canon G15
Olympus XZ-2
  • $650
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Canon G16

Sony A57
Canon G16
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $499
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Longer stills battery life
Canon G15
Canon G16
  • $650
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Shoots 24p video
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $499
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
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