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Nikon Z5 vs Sony A57

Portability
62
Imaging
76
Features
86
Overall
80
Nikon Z5 front
 
Sony SLT-A57 front
Portability
64
Imaging
57
Features
85
Overall
68

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A57 Key Specs

Nikon Z5
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Expand to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 675g - 134 x 101 x 70mm
  • Revealed July 2020
Sony A57
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 16000 (Increase to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 618g - 132 x 98 x 81mm
  • Revealed September 2012
  • Superseded the Sony A55
  • Renewed by Sony A58
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Nikon Z5 vs Sony A57 Overview

In this write-up, we will be looking at the Nikon Z5 and Sony A57, one being a Advanced Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. There exists a sizeable gap between the image resolutions of the Z5 (24MP) and A57 (16MP) and the Z5 (Full frame) and A57 (APS-C) come with different sensor size.

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The Z5 was manufactured 7 years later than the A57 and that is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Nikon Z5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A57 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving in to a in depth comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the Z5 scores versus the A57 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z5 over the Sony A57

 Z5 A57 
RevealedJuly 2020September 2012Fresher by 96 months
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1040k921kClearer screen (+119k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A57 over the Nikon Z5

 A57 Z5 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Nikon Z5 and Sony A57

 Z5 A57 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A57 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry your camera regularly, you're going to have to take into account its weight and volume. The Nikon Z5 features exterior measurements of 134mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 675 grams (1.49 lbs) whilst the Sony A57 has sizing of 132mm x 98mm x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 618 grams (1.36 lbs).

See the Nikon Z5 and Sony A57 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Underneath is the front view dimension comparison of the Z5 against the A57.

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A57 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the Z5 and A57 is 62 and 64 respectively.

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A57 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A57 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very tough to imagine the difference between sensor sizing only by going over a spec sheet. The visual underneath should give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the Z5 and A57.

As you can see, the 2 cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The Z5 because of its bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF easier and the Nikon Z5 will offer greater detail due to its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots a little more aggressively. The newer Z5 provides an advantage in sensor innovation.

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A57 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A57 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A57 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z5 Portrait photography info
Sony A57 Portrait photography info
85
manual focus
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
comes with face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
74
has manual focus
decent megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z5 Street photography factors
Sony A57 Street photography factors
74
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
has touch focus
environment sealing
above average ISO range (51,200)
heavier than competition in class (675g)
75
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z5 Sports photography features
Sony A57 Sports photography features
82
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
comes with tracking focus
environment sealing
good battery pack (470 shots)
has phase detect AF
max fps low (4.5 frames per second)
78
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
has phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z5 Travel photography details
Sony A57 Travel photography details
68
good battery pack (470 CIPA)
environment sealing
has bluetooth
has touch focus
MP count decent (24MP)
heavier than competition in class (675g)
screen is not selfie friendly
67
decent megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
does not have Time Lapse function
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z5 Landscape photography details
Sony A57 Landscape photography details
86
manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen is a decent size (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
above average ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
good battery pack (470 shots)
two card slots
72
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z5 Vlogging advice
Sony A57 Vlogging advice
34
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detect focusing
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
has mic socket
screen is not selfie friendly
heavier than competition in class (675 grams)
77
display is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has mic support
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Nikon Z5 vs Sony A57 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z5 and Sony A57
 Nikon Z5Sony SLT-A57
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Z5 Sony SLT-A57
Category Advanced Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2020-07-20 2012-09-13
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed 6 -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 23.9mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 858.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 6016 x 4016 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 51200 16000
Maximum enhanced ISO 102400 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Lowest enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 273 15
Cross type focus points - 3
Lens
Lens support Nikon Z Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 15 143
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fully Articulated
Screen size 3.2" 3"
Screen resolution 1,040k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology - Xtra Fine TFT drive with TruBlack technology
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 3,690k dots 1,440k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x 0.7x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 4.5 frames/s 12.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
Flash modes Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/200s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (60p, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 675 grams (1.49 lbs) 618 grams (1.36 lbs)
Dimensions 134 x 101 x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") 132 x 98 x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 75
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.4
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.0
DXO Low light rating not tested 785
Other
Battery life 470 pictures 550 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL15c NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Two 1
Cost at release $1,399 $1,000