• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Sony A57 advantages over Canon 1DX Mark II

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Canon 1DX Mark II advantages over Sony A57

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.58 vs 4.82 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (DCI) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Higher effective ISO
    3,207 vs 785 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1210 vs 550 shots
    Capture more photos
  • 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
  • More cross-type AF points
    41 vs 3
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    9 years vs 13 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More dots on screen
    1620k vs 922k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.76x vs 0.69x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    20.2 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • More AF points
    61 vs 15
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    14.0 fps vs 10.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 25 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    409600 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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

  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent image quality, especially from RAWs; Fantastic high ISO performance; Fast autofocus with great tracking performance; 14fps burst rate; Amazing buffer capacity; 4K 60p video; Robust build quality.

  • Very heavy, bulky and expensive; Dual memory card slots use different formats; 29:59 continuous video recording limit; Touchscreen feels underutilized.

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
Canon 1DX Mark II
Nikon D5100
  • $2999
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $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
Canon 1DX Mark II
Sony A37
  • $2999
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

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
Canon 1DX Mark II
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $2999
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Fast startup

Compared to Nikon D4S

Sony A57
Nikon D4S
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $5999
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Canon 1DX Mark II
Nikon D4S
  • $2999
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $5999
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Nikon D5

Sony A57
Nikon D5
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $4943
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Canon 1DX Mark II
Nikon D5
  • $2999
  • 35mm
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Built-in GPS
  • $4943
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
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