Sony A57 vs Canon G1X Mark III

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Sony A57 vs Canon G1X Mark III

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

Go in depth with our full Sony A57 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the A57.

APS-C 332.3mm²
24.2 megapixels
24.00mm - 72.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Canon G1X Mark III Review.
How does it shoot? Canon G1X Mark III in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the G1X Mark III.

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Differences

Sony A57 advantages over Canon G1X Mark III

Larger sensor
APS-C vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.82 vs 3.72 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

550 vs 200 shots
Capture more photos
Faster shutter
1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Canon G1X Mark III advantages over Sony A57

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Integrated ND filter
Yes vs No
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Thinner
51 mm vs 80 mm
Thinner
Higher max flash sync
1/2000 vs 1/160 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Newer
7 years vs 13 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
More pixels
24.2 vs 16.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
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
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 GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
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

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A57 User Reviews

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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

We haven’t finished our review of the Canon G1X Mark III, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Canon G1X Mark III Shooter's Report

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

Compare Sony A57 vs Nikon D5100

Canon G1X Mark III

Nikon D5100

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$650
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon G1X Mark III vs Nikon D5100

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

Compare Sony A57 vs Sony A37

Canon G1X Mark III

Sony A37

$999
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$600
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon G1X Mark III vs Sony A37

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

Compare Sony A57 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Canon G1X Mark III

Pentax K-5 IIs

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$497
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon G1X Mark III vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Compared to Leica X-E (Typ 102)

Sony A57

Leica X-E (Typ 102)

$800
APS-C

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$1534
APS-C

Thinner
Higher max flash sync

Compare Sony A57 vs Leica X-E (Typ 102)

Canon G1X Mark III

Leica X-E (Typ 102)

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$1534
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon G1X Mark III vs Leica X-E (Typ 102)

Compared to Fujifilm X70

Sony A57

Fujifilm X70

$800
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$699
APS-C

Touchscreen
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Sony A57 vs Fujifilm X70

Canon G1X Mark III

Fujifilm X70

$999
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

$699
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Canon G1X Mark III vs Fujifilm X70

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