• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Sony A57 advantages over Canon G5X

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.82 vs 2.41 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 550 vs 215 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 7.6 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    25 vs 8 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon G5X 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Thinner
    44 mm vs 80 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • More pixels
    20.2 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
  • 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 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

User reviews

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Buy the Sony A57

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Buy the Canon G5X
Canon G5X
All G5X Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Photographer-friendly controls; Good OLED viewfinder; Good image quality with sharp detail especially with RAW; Vari-angle touchscreen display.

  • Only 31 autofocus points; Subpar continuous shooting performance; Soft corners at wide-angle; Flare issues and fringing shooting wide-open; No 4K video; Poor battery life.

  • Read our Canon G5X Review

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 G5X
Nikon D5100
  • $700
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon G5X 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 G5X
Sony A37
  • $700
  • 1 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon G5X 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 G5X
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $700
  • 1 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon G5X vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Compared to Canon G7X Mark II

Sony A57
Canon G7X Mark II
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $700
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Sony A57 vs Canon G7X Mark II

Canon G5X
Canon G7X Mark II
  • $700
  • 1 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $700
  • 1 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Shoots 24p video

Compare Canon G5X vs Canon G7X Mark II

Compared to Canon G5X Mark II

Sony A57
Canon G5X Mark II
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compare Sony A57 vs Canon G5X Mark II

Canon G5X
Canon G5X Mark II
  • $700
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon G5X vs Canon G5X Mark II

Compare Other Cameras?