• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 18.4 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 12,800
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sony Alpha SLT-A57
  • Nikon J4
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor:   Nikon J5
J4 vs J5
General
Model Number: A57 J4
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: SLR Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $799.99 $650.00
Street Price:   $350.00
Date Available: 2012-04-15 2014-05-31
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 29.2 oz (828 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
11.2 oz (317 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 5.2 x 3.8 x 3.2 in.
(132 x 98 x 81 mm)
3.9 x 2.4 x 1.1 in.
(100 x 60 x 29 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony  
Effective Megapixels: 16.1 18.4
Sensor Format: APS-C 1 inch
Sensor size: 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm) 116.16mm2 (13.20mm x 8.80mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 4.82 microns 2.52 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x 2.7x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed None
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No Yes
DxO Sensor Score: 75 53
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 23.4 20.8
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 13.0 10.7
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 785 426
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4912 x 3264 (16.0 MP, 3:2),
4912 x 2760 (13.6 MP, 16:9),
3568 x 2368 (8.4 MP, Other),
3568 x 2000 (7.1 MP, 16:9),
2448 x 1624 (4.0 MP, Other),
2448 x 1376 (3.4 MP, 16:9),
12416 x 1856 (23.0 MP, Other),
5536 x 2160 (12.0 MP, Other),
8192 x 1856 (15.2 MP, Other),
3872 x 2160 (8.4 MP, Other),
7152 x 1080 (7.7 MP, Other),
4912 x 1080 (5.3 MP, Other),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9)
5232 x 3488 (18.2 MP, 3:2),
3920 x 2616 (10.3 MP, 3:2),
2608 x 1744 (4.5 MP, 3:2),
9600 x 920 (8.8 MP, Other),
4800 x 920 (4.4 MP, Other),
1536 x 4800 (7.4 MP, Other),
1536 x 9600 (14.7 MP, Other)
Image File Format: JPEG, MPO, RAW (12-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG JPEG (EXIF 2.3), Compressed 12-bit NEF RAW, RAW+JPG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 10.0 60.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (60p(PS)/​60i(FX)/​60i(FH)/​24p(FX)/​24p(FH))
1440x1080 (30p)
640x480 (30p)
1920x1080 (60p/​30p)
1280x720 (60p/​30p)
1280x720 (120p)
768x288 (400p)
416x144 (1200p)
Movie File Format: AVCHD 2.0/MP4 (Audio: Dolby Digital (AC-3)/MPEG-4 AAC-LC) MOV H.264/MPEG-4 AVC with PCM audio
Composite Video Out: No No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: n/a n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a n/a
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Sony Alpha (Minolta A) Nikon 1
Lens: Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAM 1 Nikkor 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 VR PD-Zoom
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 27 - 83mm 27 - 81mm
Focal Length (actual): 18 - 55mm 10 - 30mm
Zoom Ratio: 3.06x 3.00x
Aperture Range: f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - 36 (T) f/3.5 (W)- f/5.6 (T) - f/16 with 7-blade rounded aperture
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 25 cm to Infinity
9.8 in to Infinity
20 cm to Infinity
7.9 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: 55.0mm n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No Yes
Digital Zoom: Yes
Digital Zoom Values: Up to 2x Precision, Up to 2x Clear Image Zoom, 1.4x (8.4MP) or 2.0x (4MP) Smart Zoom  
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Phase Detection: 15 points (3 points cross type); Wide (auto, 15 points), Zone, Spot, Local; Enhanced Object Tracking Hybrid autofocus (phase detection/contrast-detect AF): Single-point AF: 171 focus areas, the center 105 areas support phase-detection AF; Auto-area AF: 41 focus areas; Subject tracking; Face-priority AF
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: EVF / LCD No / LCD
Viewfinder Type: EVF type; 1.1cm (0.43") 1.44M/1.25M-dot LCD (480K/418K-dot time-multiplexed RGB), 100% coverage, 1.04x/0.97x magnification, 23.1/25.2mm eyepoint, -4 to +3 diopter  
Focus Peaking: Yes No
EVF Resolution:   n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.69x  
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 1.04x  
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 921,600 dots (307,200 px) 1,036,800 dots (345,600 px)
Touchscreen: No Yes
Articulating Screen: Yes No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom: 13.6x  
Top Deck Display: No No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 16000 12800
Minimum ISO (native): 100 160
ISO Settings: Auto (100-3200), 100 - 16000; (Multi-frame NR mode up to ISO 25600) Auto, 160 - 12800
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent (4), Flash, Custom, Color Temp./ Filter (2500-9900K with 15-step Magenta/Green compensation) Auto, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Direct Sunlight, Flash, Cloudy, Shade, Underwater, Preset Manual (custom); All except preset manual with fine tuning
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 30 sec 1/16000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 1200-zone Evaluative, Center-weighted, Spot Matrix, Center-weighted (4.5mm), Spot (2mm)
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Portrait, SportsAction, Macro, Landscape, Sunset, Night scene, Hand-held Twilight (6 shot layering), Night Portrait; Sweep Panorama, 3D Sweep Panorama, Auto Portrait Framing, Picture Effect (Posterization (Color, B/W), Pop Color, Retro Photo, Partial Color (R,G,B,Y), High Contrast Monochrome, Toy Camera, Soft High-key, Soft Focus, HDR Painting, Rich-tone Monochrome, Miniature), Dynamic Range Optimizer (Off/Auto/Level), Scene Mode: Portrait, Night Landscape, Landscape, Night Portrait, Close-up; Creative palette, HDR, Easy Panorama, Soft, Miniature Effect, Selective Color, Cross Process, and Toy Camera Effect; Best Moment Capture (Active Selection, Slow View and Smart Photo Selector); Motion Snapshot
Self Timer: 2 or 10 seconds 2, 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Auto, Off, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Wireless, High-Speed sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off Auto, auto + red-eye reduction, fill flash, fill flash + slow sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction + slow sync, rear-curtain sync, rear curtain + slow sync, off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 10.0 m / 32.8 ft. 5.0 m / 16.4 ft.
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent Range is lens aperture dependent
Max Flash Sync: 1/160 1/60
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps -3 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot shoe n/a
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC microSD / microSDHC / microSDXC
UHS Support:   UHS-I
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW (12-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG Compressed 12-bit NEF RAW, RAW+JPG
Movie File Format: AVCHD 2.0/MP4 (Audio: Dolby Digital (AC-3)/MPEG-4 AAC-LC) MOV H.264/MPEG-4 AVC with PCM audio
Included Memory:   0.0 MB
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No Yes
NFC: No No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional Wireless or Wired Via Wi-Fi
Connections (extended): Type-C Mini HDMI (BRAVIA Sync, PhotoTV HD); Wired Remote Terminal, 3.5mm External Stereo Micophone Jack, DC Input Micro (Type D) HDMI
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution):    
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):    
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press?
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 10.0 60.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 25  
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):    
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):    
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid):    
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus):    
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):    
Shutter Lag (prefocused):    
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time:    
Play -> Record Time:    
Flash cycle time, full power:    
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   300 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 550 shots  
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary Proprietary EN-EL22
Usable Battery Types: NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary EN-EL22 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software: Sony Software CD-ROM ViewNX 2
OS Compatibility: Windows XP SP3/Vista SP2/7, Mac OS X (v.10.3 +)  
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: SteadyShot INSIDE Sensor-shift Image Stabilization (up to 4.5 EV correction), Full HD 1080p60 Video, Up to 12 fps Burst Mode (Tele-zoom Continuous Advance Priority AE), Enhanced Object Tracking AF, 2x Clear Image Digital Zoom, New Auto Portrait Framing, Tilting 921K-dot LCD, 1.44M-dot EVF. Available in white, black, silver, or metallic orange.