• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 23.00mm - 810.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000

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Differences

Nikon P500 advantages over Sony A57

  • Less expensive
    $400 vs $800 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Sony A57 advantages over Nikon P500

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.82 vs 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 550 vs 220 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 8 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 8.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    25 vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/1500 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

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
  • 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

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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • 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

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Buy the Nikon P500

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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 Fujifilm S4000

Nikon P500
Fujifilm S4000
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • More dots on screen
  • $205
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon P500 vs Fujifilm S4000

Sony A57
Fujifilm S4000
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $205
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A57 vs Fujifilm S4000

Compared to Nikon D5100

Nikon P500
Nikon D5100
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon P500 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 Olympus SP-820UZ

Nikon P500
Olympus SP-820UZ
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More pixels

Compare Nikon P500 vs Olympus SP-820UZ

Sony A57
Olympus SP-820UZ
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slow-motion videos

Compare Sony A57 vs Olympus SP-820UZ

Compared to Pentax K-5 IIs

Nikon P500
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon P500 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

Compared to Canon SX520 HS

Nikon P500
Canon SX520 HS
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels
  • $345
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Manual focus

Compare Nikon P500 vs Canon SX520 HS

Sony A57
Canon SX520 HS
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $345
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A57 vs Canon SX520 HS

Compare Other Cameras?