• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Sony A57 advantages over Sony RX10 III

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.82 vs 2.41 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Higher effective ISO
    785 vs 472 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 550 vs 420 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    80 mm vs 127 mm
    Thinner

Sony RX10 III 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
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • 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
  • More pixels
    20.1 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    14.2 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
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • 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 Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • 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
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Versatile all-in-one replacement for a DSLR or mirrorless camera; Great handling and build; Excellent image quality; Spectacular zoom reach; Swift performance with generous buffer depths; Extremely capable video capture; Comprehensive remote control; Quick-and-easy image sharing

  • Extremely expensive for a fixed-lens camera; Fairly heavy for fixed-lens camera; Somewhat soft in the corners at wide-angle or tele; Noise reduction intrudes at higher sensitivities; No built-in ND filter; Not as fast when shooting raws; Slow buffer clearing

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 RX10 III
Nikon D5100
  • $1398
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • 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 RX10 III
Sony A37
  • $1398
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • 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 RX10 III
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $1398
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Panasonic FZ2500

Sony A57
Panasonic FZ2500
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $865
  • 1 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video
Sony RX10 III
Panasonic FZ2500
  • $1398
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $865
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Sony RX10 IV

Sony A57
Sony RX10 IV
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1698
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
Sony RX10 III
Sony RX10 IV
  • $1398
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $1698
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Bluetooth
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