• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Sony A57 advantages over Sony A6300

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.82 vs 3.92 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 550 vs 400 shots
    Capture more photos

Sony A6300 advantages over Sony A57

  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,437 vs 785 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    48 mm vs 80 mm
    Thinner
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    8 years vs 12 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Lighter weight
    520g vs 828g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 27 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.1 fps vs 10.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    44 vs 25 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A6300

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent image quality; Improved high-ISO performance; Better JPEG quality; Fast autofocus; Very good subject tracking with real-time live view feature; All-magnesium body construction; 4K video.

  • Slow buffer clearing (no UHS-II support); No touchscreen, Clunky menus; Wi-Fi can be a bit frustrating to use.

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
Sony A6300
Nikon D5100
  • $846
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen

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
Sony A6300
Sony A37
  • $846
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Bigger pixels

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
Sony A6300
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $846
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Fujifilm X-A3

Sony A57
Fujifilm X-A3
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Sony A6300
Fujifilm X-A3
  • $846
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Sony A6500

Sony A57
Sony A6500
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
Sony A6300
Sony A6500
  • $846
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Touchscreen
Compare Other Cameras?