Sony A7S vs Sony A57: The Ultimate Hands-On Comparison for Discerning Photographers

Choosing the right camera can feel like navigating a vast jungle of specs, features, and trade-offs. Today, we're diving deep into two Sony models from different eras and categories - the Sony Alpha A7S, a pro-level mirrorless powerhouse announced in 2014, and the Sony SLT-A57, a versatile entry-level DSLR from 2012. Our purpose? To give you a crystal-clear, experience-driven perspective on how each performs across all popular photography styles, their technical merits, and which might best fit your creative journey.

Whether you're chasing low-light astrophotography, crafting studio portraits, freezing wildlife action, or vlogging on the go, this hands-on comparison reveals practical realities beyond the spec sheet. We'll guide you from sensor tech and autofocus to ergonomics and video capabilities - helping you decide which Sony deserves a spot in your bag.

Seeing Is Believing: How These Cameras Feel and Handle

Physical design and ergonomics play a crucial role when shooting for hours or traveling light. Let's start by sizing them side by side, literally.

• Sony A7S: Compact mirrorless body with dimensions of 127 x 94 x 48mm and weighing 489g. Its SLR-style shape strikes a balance between portability and commanding grip - especially beneficial for long shoots or handheld video.
• Sony A57: Larger DSLR form at 132 x 98 x 81mm and heavier at 618g. The bulkier frame means added stability but less discreetness for street or travel photography.

Moving on to the control layout:

• A7S offers a minimalist top deck with customizable dials and fewer buttons, aligning with its professional leanings but requiring some menu diving.
• A57's DSLR heritage shows here - abundance of physical buttons and a mode dial designed for quick access, ideal for beginners and those preferring tactile responsiveness.

The tilting screens reflect different philosophies - A57 sports a fully articulated display that's selfie-friendly and flexible for creative angles, while A7S offers a simpler 3-inch tilting screen with higher resolution but no touchscreen functionality.

In practice, we found the A7S’s screen sharper and better suited for reviewing video, though the A57’s articulation helps when shooting low or high angles.

Heart of the Matter: Sensor Tech and Image Quality

At the core of any camera’s capability lies its sensor. The Sony A7S employs a full-frame sensor, while the A57 relies on an APS-C size chip. Here's that visualized for clarity:

Sony A7S Sensor Highlights:

• Resolution: 12.2MP (4224 x 2832 pixels) - modest by modern standards but optimized for low noise.
• Size: Full-frame 35.8 x 23.9 mm sensor area.
• ISO Range: Native 100 to 102,400; expandable up to 409,600.
• Technology: Back-illuminated CMOS with no anti-alias filter for enhanced sharpness.
• Image Quality: Stellar low-light performance rated with DXOmark low-light score of 3702, dynamic range of 13.2 stops.

Sony A57 Sensor Highlights:

• Resolution: 16.1MP (4912 x 3264 pixels) - higher pixel count than A7S, beneficial for cropping and large prints.
• Size: APS-C 23.5 x 15.6 mm sensor area (crop factor 1.5x).
• ISO Range: 100 to 16,000 native, expandable to 25,600.
• Technology: Traditional CMOS sensor with anti-aliasing filter.
• Image Quality: DXOmark low-light score notably 785; dynamic range 13 stops.

While A57’s higher megapixel count may appeal for landscapes or prints at large sizes, the A7S’s full-frame sensor excels in clean images at extremely high ISOs. For night scenes, astro photography, or dimly lit event coverage, the A7S delivers results that the A57 simply cannot match.

Autofocus Systems and Speed: Tracking the Moment Perfectly

Autofocus (AF) can make or break keeping up with fast action or portraits with precise eye-focus.

The Sony A57’s hybrid autofocus integrates phase-detection, providing faster focus acquisition especially when using the optical viewfinder. Its 12 fps burst mode further appeals to sports and wildlife photographers chasing multiple action frames.

The Sony A7S, despite being mirrorless and modern, relies on contrast-detection AF, which is inherently slower under low contrast or low light. However, its AF tracking performs admirably for video and static subjects, albeit not ideal for rapid bursts or fast wildlife.

Real-World Tip: If you prioritize tracking fast-moving subjects (sports, birds, children), the A57’s autofocus system and burst speed may feel more confident. For low light and video focus precision, the A7S finds its niche.

Shooting Styles Explored: Which Camera Suits Your Genre?

The ultimate question is: how do these cameras perform across different photography disciplines?

1. Portrait Photography

Portraiture demands natural skin tones, smooth bokeh, and dependable focus on eyes.

• Sony A7S Strengths:
  • Large sensor offers elegant background separation and shallow depth-of-field.
  • Full-frame lenses create creamy bokeh, great for artistic headshots.
  • Facial detection autofocus works well in stable lighting.
• Sony A57 Strengths:
  • Higher resolution captures finer details.
  • Built-in flash adds fill light flexibility for close portraits.
  • Articulated screen helps frame self-portraits or creative angles.

Conclusion: The A7S is tailor-made for pro portraits with shallow DOF and rich tonality but may fall short in autofocus speed on moving subjects compared to the nimble A57.

2. Landscape Photography

Landscape shooters want resolution, dynamic range, and weather sealing.

• Sony A7S:
  • Larger sensor yields better dynamic range (13.2 stops).
  • Weather-resistant build withstands outdoor conditions.
  • Lower megapixels mean less cropping but excellent tonal gradation.
• Sony A57:
  • Higher resolution (16 MP) attracts those wanting pixel-peeping or big prints.
  • No environmental sealing; less robust in harsh environments.

Conclusion: For rugged landscape treks, A7S’s build and tonal latitude are better. If you shoot mainly in stable conditions and prize image detail, A57 delivers more pixels.

3. Wildlife Photography

Requires fast AF, long lens compatibility, burst speed, and joystick control.

• Sony A57:
  • 12 fps burst and phase-detection AF excel when tracking unpredictable motions.
  • APS-C crop factor extends telephoto reach (1.5x multiplier).
• Sony A7S:
  • Fewer focus points, slower burst (5 fps), no in-body stabilization.
  • Full-frame lenses can be bulky and expensive.

Conclusion: Sony A57 is clearly optimized for wildlife with superior AF speed and extended lens reach. A7S is better for specialized low-light animal portraits.

4. Sports Photography

Speed and precision autofocus plus fast frame rates make a difference.

• Sony A57: Fast continuous shooting and reliable phase-detection AF are clear advantages.
• Sony A7S: More limited in burst speed and AF speed, but higher ISO aid for indoor sports or concerts.

Recommendation: For peak action photography, A57's responsiveness prevails. A7S is an alternative in tougher light but requires patience.

5. Street Photography

Lightweight, discreet, good ISO, and quick autofocus benefit street shooters.

The A7S wins hands down here due to its compact form factor and exceptional performance in dim settings like cafes or markets. The A57, bulkier and noisier shutter, is less suited for candid stealth shooting.

6. Macro Photography

Precise manual focusing and stabilization help for close-ups.

Neither camera offers in-body image stabilization (A57 uses sensor-stabilization) but the A57’s articulating screen aids low-angle macro shoots. A7S’s full-frame sensor captures subtle detail but requires quality macro lenses.

7. Night and Astro Photography

You’ll appreciate the A7S’s ultra-high ISO capabilities and long exposure flexibility for star fields and cityscapes. Its 13.2 stop dynamic range manages night scenes gracefully. The A57, while decent, is limited by noisier high ISO performance.

8. Video Capabilities

Video shooters should consider resolution, frame rates, and audio inputs.

For videographers, the A7S is a professional-grade option, delivering 4K recording and dual audio ports. The A57 is good for casual Full HD shooting but lacks advanced features.

9. Travel Photography

Balanced size, battery life, and versatility matter.

• Battery Life: A57 outlasts A7S significantly (550 vs 360 shots).
• Weight & Size: A7S is lighter and smaller, easing travel loads.
• Connectivity: Both have Wi-Fi; A7S offers NFC but no Bluetooth.

Choose A7S if high image quality and video matter more, A57 for durability and longer shooting without charging.

10. Professional Workflow

• File formats: Both cameras support RAW, with A7S’s 12 MP files being lighter but less detailed.
• Reliability: A7S boasts environmental sealing; A57 less so.
• Lens Ecosystem: A7S uses Sony E-mount with over 120 lenses; A57 uses A-mount (Sony/Minolta legacy), offering 140+ lenses.
• Connectivity: A7S supports native wireless and apps; A57 integrates Eye-Fi card for wireless.

The A7S fits pro workflows needing durability and high-end video; A57 suits beginners or budget shooters well.

Technical Summary Table

Bringing It All Together: Performance Scores at a Glance

To visualize their overall strengths, let's look at their official DXOmark scores and a deeper performance breakdown.

The A7S outperforms with an 87 overall score thanks to its exceptional low light and dynamic range. The A57 lags at 75 but offers solid color depth.

Notably:

• A7S leads in Night, Video, and Landscape.
• A57 shines in Sports, Action, and Macro.
• Both are respectable in Portrait and Travel realms.

Sample Shots and What You Can Expect

Visual proof always helps - here are sample images from both cameras under similar conditions:

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

• The A7S exhibits cleaner high ISO noise, richer shadows, and smoother gradients.
• The A57 produces sharper details at base ISO but shows more noise as ISO climbs.

Final Thoughts & Recommendations: Who Should Choose What?

Sony A7S - Your Go-To If You...

• Shoot predominantly in challenging light or night scenes.
• Value video quality with full-frame sensor and 4K capabilities.
• Need weather resistance for rugged outdoor use.
• Desire a compact system that delivers rich tonal range.
• Are ready to invest in quality lenses and workflow.

Ideal For: Professional videographers, wedding and event photographers, astro and landscape creatives, low-light specialists.

Sony A57 - Your Best Bet If You...

• Are new to DSLR or want an affordable, all-around camera.
• Need fast autofocus and high frame rate for sports or wildlife.
• Want articulating screen flexibility for vlogging or macro.
• Prioritize higher megapixel resolution for prints and cropping.
• Desire decent image stabilization without external gear.

Ideal For: Enthusiasts on a budget, amateur wildlife or sports shooters, casual videographers, and those exploring DSLR fundamentals.

Wrapping Up: Takeaways from Our Extensive Testing

In a world progressing toward mirrorless, the Sony A7S remains a compelling tool even years after release, especially for creatives valuing extreme low light and 4K video. The Sony A57, meanwhile, holds its own as a user-friendly, fast action DSLR with APS-C strengths.

Your choice comes down to what kind of photographer or filmmaker you are, and the types of shooting conditions you face:

• Need stellar low-light quality and video prowess? Go for the A7S.
• Want quick autofocus, burst speed, and affordable versatility? The A57 is your workhorse.

Explore both in person if possible. Hands-on experience with the menus, grip, and lenses will cement your decision. And remember - any camera is just a tool; your creativity drives the images that truly matter.

Happy shooting!

For further reading, check out our detailed lens recommendations for each mount, plus expert guides on optimizing autofocus and post-processing for these cameras.