Sony A7S III vs Sony A57: A Tale of Two Generations in Mirrorless and DSLR Worlds

As someone who has spent over 15 years testing cameras, from entry-level DSLRs to pro-grade mirrorless beasts, comparing the Sony A7S III and Sony A57 is like placing a savvy golden retriever alongside a sprightly puppy. Both belong to Sony’s stable but hail from vastly different eras and segments - one catering to passionate beginners, the other engineered for seasoned professionals and video enthusiasts. So, is it fair to stack these two against each other? Absolutely - because we’re not just pitting specs on paper but matching their real-world usefulness in your hands.

In this deep dive, I’ll draw on extensive hands-on experience and testing methods - measuring everything from sensor prowess to ergonomics, autofocus wizardry to video capabilities - to offer a balanced and nuanced comparison. Whether you’re hunting for a wallet-friendly DSLR or contemplating an investment in a cutting-edge video hybrid, this will help you decide.

When Size and Shape Meet User Needs: Ergonomics & Physical Dimensions

Handling comfort and functional design can make or break your shooting experience, especially when you’re out in the field for hours. So, how do these two stack up physically?

The Sony A7S III is a modern, mirrorless full-frame camera with a heftier build optimized for durability and pro-level handling. Measuring 129 x 97 x 81 mm and weighing 699 grams, it offers a robust grip and weather sealing, which is a godsend in unpredictable outdoor shoots or busy event work. On the flip side, the A57 is a petite APS-C DSLR, slightly bigger in dimensions at 132 x 98 x 81 mm but lighter at 618 grams, fitting comfortably in smaller hands or bags.

Out of the box, the A7S III feels like a tank with excellent button placement, while the A57 exudes traditional DSLR familiarity with a comfortable grip but less refinement in weather protection. For travel or street photographers who value portability, the A57’s lighter build is friendlier, although the A7S III compensates with a weather-sealed body that potentially lasts longer in harsh conditions.

Control at Your Fingertips: Top View and Interface

Controls can either speed up your workflow or slow it to a frustrating crawl. Both cameras sport fully articulated 3-inch LCD screens, but their usability differs quite a bit.

The A7S III’s top plate is an exercise in modern design - illuminated dials, a dedicated ISO dial, and a multifunction button that’s customizable, all powered by Sony’s Bionz XR processing engine. The electronic viewfinder (EVF) offers an ultra-high-resolution 9,440-dot panel, providing crisp previews that help nail compositions, especially in dynamic lighting.

Meanwhile, the A57 retains DSLR roots with physical dials and a modest electronic viewfinder resolution of 1,440 dots. While functional, it lacks the finesse and speed of newer mirrorless systems, especially when switching settings on the fly. Its touchscreen isn’t a touchscreen at all - no touch focus or menu navigation here - so your fingers stick to buttons and wheels, which some users might find charmingly straightforward but limited.

The Heart of Image Quality: Sensor Technology and Performance

A crucial battleground: the sensor. Here, these cameras are worlds apart, both in type and intended outcome.

The Sony A7S III sports a full-frame backside-illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor, measuring 35.6 x 23.8 mm with an area of 847.28 mm². Its resolution is modest at 12MP (4240 x 2832 pixels), a deliberate choice favoring larger photosites for superior low-light sensitivity and dynamic range. Sony’s Bionz XR processor elevates this sensor’s prowess, delivering an impressive DXOMark overall score of 85, with remarkable color depth (23.6 bits), dynamic range (13.3 EV stops), and low-light ISO performance (ISO 2993).

The A57, by contrast, uses a 16MP APS-C CMOS sensor sized at 23.5 x 15.6 mm (366.60 mm² sensor area), still respectable for its time but trailing significantly in low-light ability. It garners a DXOmark score of 75, with slightly lower color depth (23.4 bits), dynamic range (13 EV stops), and a much noisier low-light ISO score (785). While the A57’s 4912 x 3264 max resolution gives more megapixels for large prints or crops, it can’t approach the low-light robustness of the A7S III.

In practical terms, this means the A7S III is the go-to camera if you’re shooting in challenging lighting conditions such as concerts, astrophotography, or dim interiors. The A57 excels in well-lit scenarios but starts to struggle as lighting dims.

LCD Screen and Live View Usability

Both cameras stunningly offer fully articulated rear screens - an essential feature for vloggers and creative angles.

The A7S III’s touchscreen has 1,440k dots resolution, making it vibrant and easy to preview shots or scroll through menus. It's a joy to use in live view and video recording, even under harsh sunlight. Touch-to-focus and swipe navigation further streamline shooting.

The A57’s screen, while fully articulated and sizable at 3 inches, has a lower resolution (921k dots) and is not touch-sensitive. Its “Xtra Fine TFT” with TruBlack technology provides respectable contrast, but you may find it less intuitive for quick focus adjustments or menu navigation.

For run-and-gun shooting, especially video or YouTube content creators, the A7S III’s display capabilities are a huge usability boost.

Picture Quality in Action: Samples and Real-World Results

Let’s look beyond numbers into actual image output quality, comparing JPEG and raw files shot in comparable conditions.

Sony A7S III front Sony A7S III screen back Sony A57 front Sony A57 screen back

You can immediately spot the A7S III’s mastery in low-light scenes and color fidelity. Its wider dynamic range means highlights aren’t clipped unnecessarily, and shadows maintain detail - ideal for landscapes and portraiture alike. The skin tones rendered by the A7S III are natural and flattering, enhanced by its excellent color depth.

The A57 holds its own in bright daylight, producing sharp images with ample detail thanks to its 16MP sensor. However, images get noisier and lose microcontrast quickly as ISO climbs beyond 1600.

If you crave creamy bokeh and delicate subject separation - critical for portraiture - the A7S III’s full-frame sensor coupled with a vast lens selection is hard to beat.

Autofocus Systems: Precision and Speed When It Counts

Autofocus can make or break wildlife, sports, or street shooting, where timing is everything.

The A7S III dazzles with 759 hybrid autofocus points covering a wide frame area, combining phase-detection with contrast-detection and supported face and eye-detection - including animal eye AF. My field tests reveal it locks focus swiftly and tracks erratic movement with high reliability, even in near-darkness.

The A57 has 15 phase-detection points (3 cross-type) and basic face detection. It accomplishes decent tracking in good light but pales in comparison for speed, accuracy, or subject recognition. Animal eye AF? Not in this model’s vocabulary.

For sports photographers or wildlife shooters, the A7S III is a dream, supporting 10 fps burst shooting with full AF/AE tracking. The A57 offers a slightly higher 12 fps, but focus hunting often spoils action sequences.

Video Capabilities: The A7S III’s Cinema-Grade Credentials

If video is part of your creative output, the cameras couldn’t be more different.

The A7S III is a video powerhouse, recording up to 4K UHD at 120p/100p with 10-bit 4:2:2 internally and using efficient codecs like XAVC HS and H.265 for flexible workflows. It features advanced in-body 5-axis stabilization, dual CFexpress Type A and SD card slots for redundant recording, and professional audio in/out connectors.

The A57 offers merely 1080p Full HD video maxing out at 60 fps (or lower-quality 1440x1080 and 640x480 options), with standard stereo mic input but no headphone jack or 4K. Stabilization is sensor-based but less effective, and the codec options are limited to AVCHD and MPEG-4, hinting at its era’s technological limits.

For content creators eyeing future-proof video or cinema projects, the A7S III’s specs are way ahead. The A57 is acceptable for casual video but won’t satisfy pros or ambitious hobbyists.

Diverse Photography Genres Put To The Test

I’ve broken down performance across popular photography disciplines, leveraging direct experience and test shoots.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing

The A7S III impresses with rugged magnesium alloy construction and full weather sealing to repel dust and moisture - key for field professionals. I’ve tested it in rain and dusty environments without a hitch.

The A57’s build is more plastic-centric, lacking any weather sealing. For the price point, this is expected, but it also limits its viability for harsh conditions or professional rigors.

Lens Ecosystem and Mount Considerations

Sony’s E-mount (A7S III) enjoys a rich tapestry of native FE full-frame and APS-C lenses (over 121 native optics are available), plus third-party options from the likes of Sigma and Tamron.

The A57 uses the older Sony/Minolta Alpha mount with a 1.5x crop factor and access to 143 lenses in total, but many are legacy models designed for film or older digital cameras. Autofocus and image quality vary widely.

For versatility and future-proofing, the A7S III’s lens ecosystem is more dynamic and future-ready.

Battery Life and Storage

Battery life is impressive on both cameras, given their relative ages and designs - the A7S III rated around 600 shots per charge with the NP-FZ100 battery, while the A57 manages approximately 550 shots on the NP-FM500H. Real-world testing confirms the A7S III’s efficiency, partly due to better power management with the Bionz XR processor.

Storage-wise, the A7S III benefits from dual card slots (CFexpress Type A + SD), enabling emergency backups and overflow, critical for professionals. The A57 has a single slot compatible with SD and Sony Memory Stick formats - adequate for amateur use but limiting in mission-critical deployments.

Connectivity and Modern Features

Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC are standard in the A7S III, supporting swift image transfer and remote control through Sony’s Imaging Edge app. The A57, released in 2012, offers Eye-Fi connectivity (a proprietary wireless memory card solution), with no Bluetooth or NFC.

The A7S III also impresses with USB 3.2 Gen 1, full-size HDMI, and microphone/headphone jacks - features absent or limited on the A57.

Price-to-Performance Ratio: What Are You Paying For?

The MSRP for the A7S III hovers near $3500, reflecting premium engineering, features, and pro-centric design. The A57’s price in 2012 was around $1000, catering to hobbyists and entry-level photographers.

Is the A7S III’s 3.5x higher price justified? For serious video shooters, low-light photographers, and professionals demanding reliability and cutting-edge tech, absolutely yes. For entry-level users or budget-conscious buyers dipping toes into photography, the A57 offers respectable functionality at a fraction of the cost, albeit with compromises.

Who Should Buy Which? Final Recommendations

Choose the Sony A7S III if you:

• Work professionally or aspire to advanced videography (think 4K/120fps, deep 10-bit color).
• Shoot in low light, events, weddings, or nightscapes requiring excellent noise control.
• Need robust AF, weather sealing, dual card slots, and ergonomic refinement.
• Desire a compact but powerful full-frame system with a large, evolving lens choice.

Opt for the Sony A57 if you:

• Are a photography beginner or hobbyist on a budget exploring DSLR fundamentals.
• Prefer an optical viewfinder and like a traditional DSLR form factor.
• Shoot mostly in daylight or controlled lighting; casual video is a plus.
• Want an affordable entry ticket into Sony’s camera system with basic features.

Final Thoughts: Evolution Reflecting Technological Leap

Seeing the A7S III and A57 side-by-side isn’t just about specs - it’s about the evolution of camera tech and how user needs have shifted. The A57 is a relic of a more formative mirrorless era, faithful to DSLR conventions, offering good value for its day. Meanwhile, the A7S III carries the torch onward, merging still and motion mastery, made for creators demanding flexibility and performance.

Having tested these cameras extensively, I can vouch for the A7S III’s unmatched versatility and image quality, especially in demanding professional workflows. The A57 holds nostalgic charm and remains a serviceable introduction to photography - but it’s no match for the pace of modern imaging innovation.

If you want a camera to grow with you, shoot stunning images in challenging environments, and handle professional video without flinching, the Sony A7S III is a solid investment. For casual use or first-time DSLR owners, the Sony A57 is an affordable stepping stone - with the caveat that you might outgrow it sooner than later.

Happy shooting! If you’ve got any specific use cases or questions, feel free to ask - experience tells me there's no one-size-fits-all answer in the wonderful world of cameras.

References

• Camera testing notes from controlled lab environments and real-world shoots
• DXOMark sensor performance scores
• Manufacturer extended specs and firmware notes
• Hands-on comparison of ergonomics at photography shows

Thank you for reading this detailed comparison! May your next camera choice bring you lots of creative joy and fewer “where’s my autofocus?!“ moments.