• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • 35mm 849.7mm2
  • 61.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 32,000

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Differences

Sony A57 advantages over Sony A7R IV

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.82 vs 3.76 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Sony A7R IV 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
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • 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 Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Better color depth
    26.0 vs 23.4 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    3,344 vs 785 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    14.8 vs 13.0 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 670 vs 550 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    5 years vs 13 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.78x vs 0.69x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    61.0 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    70 vs 25 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • 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
  • 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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 GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Outstanding image quality; Excellent high ISOs; Fast AF performance with Eye-AF tracking; 10fps bursts at full-resolution; Improved ergonomics; Dual UHS-II card slots; Higher-res EVF.

  • Expensive; No 4Kp60; Buffer clearing could be faster; Menus are still frustrating; Touchscreen underutilized; No built-in flash.

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
Sony A7R IV
Nikon D5100
  • $3120
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

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
Sony A7R IV
Sony A37
  • $3120
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • In-camera panoramas

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
Sony A7R IV
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $3120
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Canon R5

Sony A57
Canon R5
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $3349
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Sony A7R IV
Canon R5
  • $3120
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • High resolution composite
  • $3349
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Nikon Z7 II

Sony A57
Nikon Z7 II
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $2330
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Shoot 4K video
Sony A7R IV
Nikon Z7 II
  • $3120
  • 35mm
  • High resolution composite
  • NFC
  • $2330
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Top deck display
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