Sony A57 vs Canon SL3

Cameras
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Sony A57 vs Canon SL3

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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
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Canon SL3 Review.
How does it shoot? Canon SL3 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the SL3.

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Differences

Sony A57 advantages over Canon SL3

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Larger sensor
APS-C vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Bigger pixels
~ 4.82 vs 3.72 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
More cross-type AF points
3 vs 1
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
More viewfinder magnification
0.69x vs 0.54x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More AF points
15 vs 9
More AF points improve autofocus
Faster JPEG shooting
10.0 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Canon SL3 advantages over Sony A57

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
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
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
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

1070 vs 550 shots
Capture more photos
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Newer
6 years vs 13 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
More pixels
24.2 vs 16.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 25 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
51200 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
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
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

NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read SL3 User Reviews

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Body Only (Black)

Body Only (Black)
Kit with 18-55mm lens (Black)
Kit with 18-55mm lens (White)

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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 SL3, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Canon SL3 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 SL3

Nikon D5100

$632
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$650
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon SL3 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 SL3

Sony A37

$632
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$600
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon SL3 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 SL3

Pentax K-5 IIs

$632
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

$497
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon SL3 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Compared to Canon SL2

Sony A57

Canon SL2

$800
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$549
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A57 vs Canon SL2

Canon SL3

Canon SL2

$632
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Longer stills battery life

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
NFC

Compare Canon SL3 vs Canon SL2

Compared to Nikon D3500

Sony A57

Nikon D3500

$800
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$623
APS-C

Lens selection
Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Sony A57 vs Nikon D3500

Canon SL3

Nikon D3500

$632
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

$623
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Canon SL3 vs Nikon D3500

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