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Nikon Z6 II vs Sony A57

Portability
61
Imaging
77
Features
89
Overall
81
Nikon Z6 Mark II front
 
Sony SLT-A57 front
Portability
64
Imaging
57
Features
85
Overall
68

Nikon Z6 II vs Sony A57 Key Specs

Nikon Z6 II
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Expand to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 705g - 134 x 101 x 70mm
  • Revealed October 2020
  • Superseded the Nikon Z6
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
  • Replaced the Sony A55
  • Newer Model is Sony A58
Photography Glossary

Nikon Z6 II vs Sony A57 Overview

Here is a thorough review of the Nikon Z6 II versus Sony A57, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. There exists a crucial gap between the sensor resolutions of the Z6 II (25MP) and A57 (16MP) and the Z6 II (Full frame) and A57 (APS-C) possess totally different sensor sizes.

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The Z6 II was manufactured 8 years later than the A57 and that is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Nikon Z6 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A57 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go in to a more detailed comparison, below is a brief view of how the Z6 II matches up against the A57 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z6 II over the Sony A57

 Z6 II A57 
RevealedOctober 2020September 2012Fresher by 99 months
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution2100k921kSharper screen (+1179k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A57 over the Nikon Z6 II

 A57 Z6 II 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Nikon Z6 II and Sony A57

 Z6 II A57 
Focus manually Very exact focusing

Nikon Z6 II vs Sony A57 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry your camera, you will want to consider its weight and size. The Nikon Z6 II has got external measurements of 134mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") along with a weight of 705 grams (1.55 lbs) whilst the Sony A57 has specifications of 132mm x 98mm x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2") and a weight of 618 grams (1.36 lbs).

Check the Nikon Z6 II versus Sony A57 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have chosen at the time. Following is the front view scale comparison of the Z6 II vs the A57.

Nikon Z6 II vs Sony A57 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the Z6 II and A57 is 61 and 64 respectively.

Nikon Z6 II vs Sony A57 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z6 II vs Sony A57 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its hard to visualise the difference between sensor sizing simply by reading specifications. The visual below should give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the Z6 II and A57.

To sum up, each of the cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The Z6 II featuring a bigger sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field less difficult and the Nikon Z6 II will deliver extra detail due to its extra 9 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop photographs a little more aggressively. The more modern Z6 II is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon Z6 II vs Sony A57 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z6 II vs Sony A57 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z6 II vs Sony A57 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z6 II as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A57 as a Portrait photography camera
86
focusing manually
fantastic resolution (25MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
comes with face detection focus
exports RAW files
74
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z6 II Street photography information
Sony A57 Street photography information
78
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
supports touch to focus
environment sealing
great ISO range (51,200)
75
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon Z6 II
Sports photography with Sony A57
82
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
fantastic resolution (25 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment sealing
supports phase detect auto focus
not so great battery power (410 per charge)
78
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
sensor has phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z6 II Travel photography info
Sony A57 Travel photography info
66
environment sealing
connects via bluetooth
supports touch to focus
fantastic resolution (25MP)
not so great battery power (410 shots)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
67
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
missing Time Lapse recording
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z6 II as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A57 as a Landscape photography camera
82
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon Z mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
fantastic resolution (25MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
great ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
2 card slots
not so great battery power (410 per charge)
72
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z6 II as a Vlogging camera
Sony A57 as a Vlogging camera
36
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detection focus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
comes with external microphone support
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
77
display is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes external mic socket
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Nikon Z6 II vs Sony A57 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z6 II and Sony A57
 Nikon Z6 Mark IISony SLT-A57
General Information
Company Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Z6 Mark II Sony SLT-A57
Type Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2020-10-14 2012-09-13
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 23.9mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 858.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 25 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 6048 x 4024 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 51200 16000
Highest boosted ISO 204800 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Minimum boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 273 15
Cross type focus points - 3
Lens
Lens support Nikon Z Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 15 143
Focal length multiplier 1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fully Articulated
Screen size 3.2 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 2,100k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology - Xtra Fine TFT drive with TruBlack technology
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 3,690k dots 1,440k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x 0.7x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 14.0fps 12.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
Flash options 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
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/200 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 144 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 144 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 144 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 144 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 144 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 56 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 56 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 28 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 28 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 24p / 28 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (60p, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 705g (1.55 lb) 618g (1.36 lb)
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 All around 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 410 shots 550 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type CFexpress Type B / XQD SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Two 1
Launch cost $1,997 $1,000