Sony A57 vs Sigma fp L

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Sony A57 vs Sigma fp L

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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.

35mm 864.0mm²
61.0 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Sigma fp L Review.
See real-world photos taken with the fp L.

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Differences

Sony A57 advantages over Sigma fp L

Less expensive
$800 vs $2499 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Bigger pixels
~ 4.82 vs 3.78 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
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 240 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Higher max flash sync
1/160 vs 1/15 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Bigger JPEG buffer
25 vs 12 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sigma fp L advantages over Sony A57

Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
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
Thinner
45 mm vs 80 mm
Thinner
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Newer
4 years vs 13 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
More dots on screen
2100k vs 922k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
More pixels
61.0 vs 16.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
102400 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
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 Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
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
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A57

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sigma fp L

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 Sigma fp L, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Sigma fp L 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

Sigma fp L

Nikon D5100

$2499
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$650
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sigma fp L 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

Sigma fp L

Sony A37

$2499
35mm

Larger sensor
Shoot 4K video

$600
APS-C

Less expensive
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sigma fp L 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

Sigma fp L

Pentax K-5 IIs

$2499
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$497
APS-C

Less expensive
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sigma fp L vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Compared to Sigma fp

Sony A57

Sigma fp

$800
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
In-camera panoramas

$1549
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A57 vs Sigma fp

Sigma fp L

Sigma fp

$2499
35mm

Newer
More pixels

$1549
35mm

Bigger pixels
Higher max flash sync

Compare Sigma fp L vs Sigma fp

Compared to Sony A7C

Sony A57

Sony A7C

$800
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
More telephoto lens reach

$1631
35mm

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A57 vs Sony A7C

Sigma fp L

Sony A7C

$2499
35mm

Thinner
More dots on screen

$1631
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sigma fp L vs Sony A7C

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