• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.4 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 128.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Sony A58 advantages over Panasonic TS7

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.31 vs 1.19 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 700 vs 300 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.57x vs 0.45x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Higher extended ISO
    16000 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic TS7 advantages over Sony A58

  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Thinner
    37 mm vs 77 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    6 years vs 12 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Higher-res screen
    346k vs 154k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 4.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • 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
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A58

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic TS7

Review Excerpt

  • Improved 20.1-megapixel resolution; Impressive image quality, especially for its price; Fast and decisive autofocus (in most conditions); Very good battery life; Good video quality (Full HD 1080p, though it doesn't support 60p frame rate).

  • Plastic lens mount; Slower burst mode speeds and shallower buffer than A57; LCD no longer fully articulating; Mediocre kit lens; Electronic instead of an optical viewfinder may be a turnoff for some.

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D3200

Sony A58
Nikon D3200
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Panasonic TS7
Nikon D3200
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Pentax K-5 IIs

Sony A58
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Panasonic TS7
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Nikon D5200

Sony A58
Nikon D5200
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Panasonic TS7
Nikon D5200
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Canon T5i

Sony A58
Canon T5i
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $539
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Panasonic TS7
Canon T5i
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $539
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Pentax K-500

Sony A58
Pentax K-500
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO
Panasonic TS7
Pentax K-500
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
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