• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 200.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Sony A58 advantages over Panasonic LF1

  • 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
    ~ 4.31 vs 1.90 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Better color depth
    23.3 vs 20.8 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    753 vs 211 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 700 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Less shutter lag
    0.13 vs 0.24 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    20.1 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Panasonic LF1 advantages over Sony A58

  • Less expensive
    $500 vs $600 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Thinner
    27 mm vs 77 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher-res screen
    307k vs 154k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    250 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 4.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    12 vs 8 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    10.0 fps vs 4.8 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    10 vs 6 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • 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
  • 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

  • Improved 20.1-megapixel resolution; Impressive image quality, especially for its price; Fast and decisive autofocus (in most conditions); Very good battery life; Good video quality (Full HD 1080p, though it doesn't support 60p frame rate).

  • Plastic lens mount; Slower burst mode speeds and shallower buffer than A57; LCD no longer fully articulating; Mediocre kit lens; Electronic instead of an optical viewfinder may be a turnoff for some.

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K-5 IIs

Sony A58
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Panasonic LF1
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $248
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Canon S110

Sony A58
Canon S110
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $249
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
Panasonic LF1
Canon S110
  • $248
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $249
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Nikon D5200

Sony A58
Nikon D5200
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $590
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Panasonic LF1
Nikon D5200
  • $248
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $590
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Canon T5i

Sony A58
Canon T5i
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $539
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Panasonic LF1
Canon T5i
  • $248
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $539
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Leica C

Sony A58
Leica C
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $699
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Thinner
Panasonic LF1
Leica C
  • $248
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $699
  • 1/1.7 inch
Compare Other Cameras?