Sony A57 vs Nikon P610

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Sony A57 vs Nikon P610

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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.

1/2.3 inch 28.1mm²
16.1 megapixels
24.00mm - 1440.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Nikon P610 Review.

Succeeded by the Nikon B700
Compare P610 vs B700
Compare Sony A57 vs Nikon B700

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Differences

Sony A57 advantages over Nikon P610

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.82 vs 1.34 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
RAW file ability
Yes vs No
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
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 360 shots
Capture more photos
Thinner
80 mm vs 106 mm
Thinner
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Higher-res screen
307k vs 230k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Longer exposure
30 vs 15 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Faster JPEG shooting
10.0 fps vs 7.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
25 vs 7 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 12800 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon P610 advantages over Sony A57

Less expensive
$500 vs $800 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
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 GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

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
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

Common Weaknesses

Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
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
Integrated ND filter
Neither provide
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
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

User reviews

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Read A57 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read P610 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 Nikon P610, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
See our Nikon P610 First Shots

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

Nikon P610

Nikon D5100

$599
1/2.3 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$650
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon P610 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

Nikon P610

Sony A37

$599
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$600
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon P610 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

Nikon P610

Pentax K-5 IIs

$599
1/2.3 inch

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$497
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon P610 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Compared to Nikon P600

Sony A57

Nikon P600

$800
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$345
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A57 vs Nikon P600

Nikon P610

Nikon P600

$599
1/2.3 inch

Built-in GPS

$345
1/2.3 inch

Compare Nikon P610 vs Nikon P600

Compared to Nikon B700

Sony A57

Nikon B700

$800
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$499
1/2.3 inch

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

Compare Sony A57 vs Nikon B700

Nikon P610

Nikon B700

$599
1/2.3 inch

Built-in GPS
Higher extended ISO

$499
1/2.3 inch

Shoot 4K video
RAW file ability

Compare Nikon P610 vs Nikon B700

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