Sony Alpha a57

917 reviews

Apr, 2024

Positive
performance (458)
usability (333)
image quality (211)
price (153)
lens (145)

Negative
software (6)
memory (1)

General overview
Price comparison

alaTest has collected and analyzed 917 reviews of Sony Alpha a57. The average rating for this product is 4.7/5, compared to an average rating of 4.3/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras for all reviews. Opinions about the lens and price are on the whole positive. The image quality and usability also get good opinions. There are some less positive reviews about the memory. There are some mixed reviews about the software.

performance, usability, image quality, price, lens

memory

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Digital Compact Cameras the Sony Alpha a57 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 91/100 = Excellent quality.

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Review analysis

(Based on 917 reviews)

Expert Reviews

User Reviews

Review Ratings

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Showing 1 - 287 of 640 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (277)

Consumer review (amazon.co.uk)

Amazon.co.uk review summary for Sony Alpha a57

alaTest has collected and analyzed 59 user reviews of Sony Alpha a57 from Amazon.co.uk. The average user rating for this product is 4.9/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.3/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras on Amazon.co.uk. Views about the lens and price are generally positive. The image quality and performance also get good opinions. The zoom and portability get mixed reviews. There are some negative views about the memory and shutter.

usability, performance, image quality, price, lens

flash, shutter, memory

100% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Consumer review (amazon.com)

Amazon.com review summary for Sony Alpha a57

alaTest has collected and analyzed 218 user reviews of Sony Alpha a57 from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 4.7/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.2/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras on Amazon.com. People are impressed by the lens and price. The image quality and usability also get good feedback. There are some negative reviews about the software.

performance, usability, image quality, price, lens

software

99% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Expert review by (dpreview.com)

Sony SLT-A57

The Sony SLT-A57 shares the majority of its specs and features with the SLT-A65, NEX-5N and other recent Sony cameras for which we have provided in-depth reviews and analysis. Sections of text are therefore adapted from those earlier reviews and where...

Very good Raw file output up through ISO 6400 ; Dynamic range at the top of its class ; High magnification EVF with comprehensive information display ; Manual focus 'Peaking' option for both stills and video modes ; 10fps shooting in full resolution...

Mediocre JPEG processing with mushy detail and visible artifacts ; LCD viewfinder (vs OLED panel in other Sony models) ; AF not compatible with manual exposure control in video mode ; No live view in 8 or 10 fps continuous shooting modes makes accurate...

The A57 combines a high quality 16MP sensor, easy access to shooting parameters and class-leading video performance. And does this while providing an equivalent shooting experience whether composing images via the EVF or rear LCD.

Sep, 2012

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Expert review by : Jim Fisher (pcmag.com)

Sony Alpha 57 (SLT-A57)

Sony's Alpha 57 digital SLR is capable of producing excellent images and video, but its EVF has some issues, and the camera is a little slow to start and shoot.

Good high ISO performance. Quick burst shooting. Fast autofocus for stills and video. Seamless Live View experience. Good control layout. 1080p60 video support. Articulating rear LCD.

Slow to start and shoot. EVF sluggish in low light. Only a single control dial.

Sony clearly put some thought into the Alpha 57's control layout. The camera has a mode dial on its top left side, a front control dial, and Exposure Compensation and ISO buttons on the top of the grip, directly behind the shutter and On/Off switch....

Aug, 2012

Partner Source

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Expert review by : Grayson Schaffer (wired.com)

Review: Sony Alpha a57

Sony's new α57 DSLR camera is aimed at serious enthusiasts who are more interested in the outcome than the process.

Saves you a bundle on software. Pro-level functionality at rookie prices. Higher frame rate than all but the top-shelf HDSLR cameras

The bells and whistles come at the expense of image quality; low-light, high-speed, and digitally zoomed photos will be noisy. If you ever upgrade to a full-frame HDSLR, it likely won’t be a Sony, so you’ll need all new lenses

Jul, 2012

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Expert review by : Michael Palmer (steves-digicams.com)

Sony Alpha SLT-A57 Preview

Meet the newest A-mount camera from Sony, the Alpha SLT-A57, or α57, which employs Translucent Mirror Technology to direct light into a 16.1 megapixel CMOS image sensor and the Auto Focus sensor simultaneously to allow continuous auto focus while...

Mar, 2012

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Expert review by : Mark Goldstein (photographyblog.com)

Sony A57 Review

The Sony A57 is a new interchangeable lens camera that uses Sony's unique Translucent Mirror Technology to offer high-speed shooting and a smaller body size. The 16.1 megapixel A57 features 12fps burst shooting, full HD 50p video with control over...

The new Sony A57 is a compelling intermediate SLT/DSLR camera that has a list of features and performance that few other rivals can match. The Sony A57 essentially offers the same excellent handling and features of the more expensive A65 model, but...

Jun, 2012

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Expert review by : Alvin Soon (hardwarezone.com)

Sony Alpha SLT-A57 Digital Camera - Too Fast for Its Own Good

As successor to the SLT-A55, the SLT-A57 translucent mirror digital camera comes with a host of features including (but not limited to) Auto-HDR and Sweep Panorama. Find out if it met our expectations.

Jan, 2013

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Expert review by : George Schaub (shutterbug.com)

Sony A57 SLT: Lab Test Results & Comments

The Sony (alpha) A57 is based on Sony's SLT viewfinder system that uses a fixed and semi-translucent mirror. This enables viewing via a live preview on the LCD screen on the back or through the electronic viewfinder. In addition, the mirror reflects...

Very fast mid-level system ; Compact body ; Swivel LCD screen ; High-resolution ELV

Swivel monitor is not totally articulated (on a tripod)

Jan, 2013

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Expert review by : cgarrard (alphamountworld.com)

Sony A57 Review Posted

it's about balance. Feature set, price, handling, buttons and controls.... I love mid range DSLRS, seem to have a sweet spot most of the time. The A57 gives a fast AF system with 10fps, a nice viewfinder, comfortable and sensibly designed body for a...

Aug, 2012

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Expert review by : Jim Fisher (techreviewsource.com)

Sony Alpha 57 (SLT-A57)

The Sony Alpha 57 is one of four APS-C D-SLR cameras in Sony's current lineup. It's one step up from the entry-level Alpha 37, and like its siblings sports a fixed mirror design and an electronic viewfinder, a departure from classic SLR cameras that...

Good high ISO performance. Quick burst shooting. Fast autofocus for stills and video. Seamless Live View experience. Good control layout. 1080p60 video support. Articulating rear LCD ; Cons: Slow to start and shoot. EVF sluggish in low light. Only a...

Slow to start and shoot. EVF sluggish in low light. Only a single control dial. Editor Rating: 3.50 ; By Jim Fisher

Sony's Alpha 57 digital SLR is capable of producing excellent images and video, but its EVF has some issues, and the camera is a little slow to start and shoot. Pros: Good high ISO performance. Quick burst shooting. Fast autofocus for stills and video....

Aug, 2012

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Expert review by : cgarrard (alphamountworld.com)

Sony A57 Announced

Sony's Alpha A57 is basically a Sony A65 with the better 16mp sensor of the A55/A580/NEX5N, with a couple more and a couple less bells and whistles for around$699.00 body only. The EVF is not OLED but the same panel as the A55 yet with improved optics...

Mar, 2012

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