Sony A57 vs Nikon J4 Specifications

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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.

1 inch 116.2mm²
18.4 megapixels
ISO 160 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Nikon J4 Review.

Detailed specifications
Sony Alpha SLT-A57
Nikon J4

Links
Prices:
Manufacturer URL:	Manufacturer website	Manufacturer website
Predecessor:
Successor:		Nikon J5 J4 vs J5
General
Model Number:	A57	J4
Alternate Model Number(s):
Camera Format:	SLR	Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured:	No	No
Retail Price:	$799.99	$650.00
Street Price:		$350.00
Date Available:	2012-04-15	2014-05-31
Tripod Mount:	Yes	Yes
Weight:	29.2 oz (828 g) includes batteries, kit lens	11.2 oz (317 g) includes batteries, kit lens
Size:	5.2 x 3.8 x 3.2 in. (132 x 98 x 81 mm)	3.9 x 2.4 x 1.1 in. (100 x 60 x 29 mm)
Waterproof:	No	No
Waterproof Depth:	n/a	n/a

Image Sensor
Sensor Type:	CMOS	CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:	Sony
Effective Megapixels:	16.1	18.4
Sensor Format:	APS-C	1 inch
Sensor size:	369.72mm² (23.7mm x 15.6mm)	116.16mm² (13.20mm x 8.80mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch:	4.82 microns	2.52 microns
Focal Length Multiplier:	1.5x	2.7x
Aspect Ratio:	3:2	3:2
Color Filter Type:	RGBG	RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter:	Fixed	None
Self-Cleaning:	Yes	Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization:	Yes	No
On-Sensor Phase Detect:	No	Yes
DxO Sensor Score:	75	53
DxO Color Depth Score (bits):	23.4	20.8
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs):	13.0	10.7
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso):	785	426
Image Capture
Image Resolution:	4912 x 3264 (16.0 MP, 3:2), 4912 x 2760 (13.6 MP, 16:9), 3568 x 2368 (8.4 MP, Other), 3568 x 2000 (7.1 MP, 16:9), 2448 x 1624 (4.0 MP, Other), 2448 x 1376 (3.4 MP, 16:9), 12416 x 1856 (23.0 MP, Other), 5536 x 2160 (12.0 MP, Other), 8192 x 1856 (15.2 MP, Other), 3872 x 2160 (8.4 MP, Other), 7152 x 1080 (7.7 MP, Other), 4912 x 1080 (5.3 MP, Other), 1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9)	5232 x 3488 (18.2 MP, 3:2), 3920 x 2616 (10.3 MP, 3:2), 2608 x 1744 (4.5 MP, 3:2), 9600 x 920 (8.8 MP, Other), 4800 x 920 (4.4 MP, Other), 1536 x 4800 (7.4 MP, Other), 1536 x 9600 (14.7 MP, Other)
Image File Format:	JPEG, MPO, RAW (12-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG	JPEG (EXIF 2.3), Compressed 12-bit NEF RAW, RAW+JPG
Continuous-mode frames/second:	10.0	60.0
Video Capture
Can take movies:	Yes	Yes
Movie Resolution:	1920x1080 (60p(PS)/60i(FX)/60i(FH)/24p(FX)/24p(FH)) 1440x1080 (30p) 640x480 (30p)	1920x1080 (60p/30p) 1280x720 (60p/30p) 1280x720 (120p) 768x288 (400p) 416x144 (1200p)
Movie File Format:	AVCHD 2.0/MP4 (Audio: Dolby Digital (AC-3)/MPEG-4 AAC-LC)	MOV H.264/MPEG-4 AVC with PCM audio
Composite Video Out:	No	No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video:	n/a	n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder:	n/a	n/a
HD Video Out:	Yes	Yes
HD Video Connection:	HDMI	HDMI

Lens & Optics
Lens Mount:	Sony Alpha (Minolta A)	Nikon 1
Lens:	Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAM	1 Nikkor 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 VR PD-Zoom
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):	27 - 83mm	27 - 81mm
Focal Length (actual):	18 - 55mm	10 - 30mm
Zoom Ratio:	3.06x	3.00x
Aperture Range:	f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - 36 (T)	f/3.5 (W)- f/5.6 (T) - f/16 with 7-blade rounded aperture
Integrated ND Filter:	No	No
Normal Focus Range:	25 cm to Infinity 9.8 in to Infinity	20 cm to Infinity 7.9 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:
Filter Thread:	55.0mm	n/a
Thread Type:	n/a	n/a
Optical Image Stabilization:	No	Yes
Digital Zoom:	Yes
Digital Zoom Values:	Up to 2x Precision, Up to 2x Clear Image Zoom, 1.4x (8.4MP) or 2.0x (4MP) Smart Zoom
Auto Focus
Auto Focus:	Yes	Yes
Auto Focus Type:	Phase Detection: 15 points (3 points cross type); Wide (auto, 15 points), Zone, Spot, Local; Enhanced Object Tracking	Hybrid autofocus (phase detection/contrast-detect AF): Single-point AF: 171 focus areas, the center 105 areas support phase-detection AF; Auto-area AF: 41 focus areas; Subject tracking; Face-priority AF
Auto Focus Assist Light?	Yes	Yes
Manual Focus:	Yes	Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder:	EVF / LCD	No / LCD
Viewfinder Type:	EVF type; 1.1cm (0.43") 1.44M/1.25M-dot LCD (480K/418K-dot time-multiplexed RGB), 100% coverage, 1.04x/0.97x magnification, 23.1/25.2mm eyepoint, -4 to +3 diopter
Focus Peaking:	Yes	No
EVF Resolution:		n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):	0.69x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):	1.04x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder:	Yes	No
Rear Display:	Yes	Yes
Rear Display Size (inches):	3.0	3.0
Rear Display Resolution:	921,600 dots (307,200 px)	1,036,800 dots (345,600 px)
Touchscreen:	No	Yes
Articulating Screen:	Yes	No
Tilt Swivel Screen:		No
Selfie Screen:		No
Max Playback Zoom:	13.6x
Top Deck Display:	No	No

Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):	16000	12800
Minimum ISO (native):	100	160
ISO Settings:	Auto (100-3200), 100 - 16000; (Multi-frame NR mode up to ISO 25600)	Auto, 160 - 12800
Auto ISO Mode:	Yes	Yes
White Balance Settings:	Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent (4), Flash, Custom, Color Temp./ Filter (2500-9900K with 15-step Magenta/Green compensation)	Auto, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Direct Sunlight, Flash, Cloudy, Shade, Underwater, Preset Manual (custom); All except preset manual with fine tuning
Shutter Speed Range:	1/4000 - 30 sec	1/16000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode:	Yes	Yes
Exposure Compensation:	+/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps	+/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes:	1200-zone Evaluative, Center-weighted, Spot	Matrix, Center-weighted (4.5mm), Spot (2mm)
Program Auto Exposure:	Yes	Yes
Aperture Priority:	Yes	Yes
Shutter Priority:	Yes	Yes
Full Manual Exposure:	Yes	Yes
Creative Exposure Modes:	Portrait, SportsAction, Macro, Landscape, Sunset, Night scene, Hand-held Twilight (6 shot layering), Night Portrait; Sweep Panorama, 3D Sweep Panorama, Auto Portrait Framing, Picture Effect (Posterization (Color, B/W), Pop Color, Retro Photo, Partial Color (R,G,B,Y), High Contrast Monochrome, Toy Camera, Soft High-key, Soft Focus, HDR Painting, Rich-tone Monochrome, Miniature), Dynamic Range Optimizer (Off/Auto/Level),	Scene Mode: Portrait, Night Landscape, Landscape, Night Portrait, Close-up; Creative palette, HDR, Easy Panorama, Soft, Miniature Effect, Selective Color, Cross Process, and Toy Camera Effect; Best Moment Capture (Active Selection, Slow View and Smart Photo Selector); Motion Snapshot
Self Timer:	2 or 10 seconds	2, 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):
High Resolution Composite:	No	No
Flash
Built-in Flash:	Yes	Yes
Flash Modes:	Auto, Off, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Wireless, High-Speed sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off	Auto, auto + red-eye reduction, fill flash, fill flash + slow sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction + slow sync, rear-curtain sync, rear curtain + slow sync, off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100):	10.0 m / 32.8 ft.	5.0 m / 16.4 ft.
Flash Range Description:	Lens dependent	Range is lens aperture dependent
Max Flash Sync:	1/160	1/60
Flash Exposure Compensation:	+/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps	-3 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection:	Hot shoe	n/a
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types:	MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC	microSD / microSDHC / microSDXC
UHS Support:		UHS-I
Other Memory:
Dual Card Slots:	No	No
RAW Capture Support:	Yes	Yes
Uncompressed Format:	RAW (12-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG	Compressed 12-bit NEF RAW, RAW+JPG
Movie File Format:	AVCHD 2.0/MP4 (Audio: Dolby Digital (AC-3)/MPEG-4 AAC-LC)	MOV H.264/MPEG-4 AVC with PCM audio
Included Memory:		0.0 MB
Included Memory Type:
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi:	No	Yes
NFC:	No	No
Bluetooth:	No	No
Built-In GPS:	No	No
Microphone Jack:	No	No
Headphone Jack:	No	No
External Connections:	USB 2.0 High Speed	USB 2.0 High Speed,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant:	Yes	Yes
DPOF Compliant:	Yes	Yes
Remote Control:	Yes	Yes
Remote Control Type:	Optional Wireless or Wired	Via Wi-Fi
Connections (extended):	Type-C Mini HDMI (BRAVIA Sync, PhotoTV HD); Wired Remote Terminal, 3.5mm External Stereo Micophone Jack, DC Input	Micro (Type D) HDMI

Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution):
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):
Camera penalizes early shutter press?
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution):	10.0	60.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution):	25
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid):
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):
Shutter Lag (manual focus):
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):
Shutter Lag (prefocused):
Shutter Lag (notes):
Startup Time:
Play -> Record Time:
Flash cycle time, full power:
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):		300 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):	550 shots
Battery Life, Video:
Battery Form Factor:	Proprietary	Proprietary EN-EL22
Usable Battery Types:	NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable	Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included:	1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable	1 x Proprietary EN-EL22 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter):	Yes	Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:	Yes
Internal Charging Supported:	No
Software
Included Software:	Sony Software CD-ROM	ViewNX 2
OS Compatibility:	Windows XP SP3/Vista SP2/7, Mac OS X (v.10.3 +)
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features:	SteadyShot INSIDE Sensor-shift Image Stabilization (up to 4.5 EV correction), Full HD 1080p60 Video, Up to 12 fps Burst Mode (Tele-zoom Continuous Advance Priority AE), Enhanced Object Tracking AF, 2x Clear Image Digital Zoom, New Auto Portrait Framing, Tilting 921K-dot LCD, 1.44M-dot EVF.	Available in white, black, silver, or metallic orange.