• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  •  
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000

Buy From

Differences

Sony NEX-5 advantages over Sony A57

  • Thinner
    40 mm vs 80 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    502g vs 828g
    Lighter weight
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    38 vs 25 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sony A57 advantages over Sony NEX-5

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 550 vs 330 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 2.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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 Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony NEX-5

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A57

Review Excerpt

  • We haven’t finished our review of the Sony A57, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
  • See our Sony A57 First Shots

The Competition

Compared to Sony NEX-3

Sony NEX-5
Sony NEX-3
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony NEX-5 vs Sony NEX-3

Sony A57
Sony NEX-3
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compare Sony A57 vs Sony NEX-3

Compared to Samsung NX100

Sony NEX-5
Samsung NX100
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Sony NEX-5 vs Samsung NX100

Sony A57
Samsung NX100
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compare Sony A57 vs Samsung NX100

Compared to Nikon D5100

Sony NEX-5
Nikon D5100
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection

Compare Sony NEX-5 vs Nikon D5100

Sony A57
Nikon D5100
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A57 vs Nikon D5100

Compared to Sony NEX-C3

Sony NEX-5
Sony NEX-C3
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Sony NEX-5 vs Sony NEX-C3

Sony A57
Sony NEX-C3
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Sony A57 vs Sony NEX-C3

Compared to Pentax K-5 IIs

Sony NEX-5
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony NEX-5 vs 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

Compare Sony A57 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Compare Other Cameras?