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Sony NEX-6 vs Sony A57

Portability
85
Imaging
57
Features
76
Overall
64
Sony Alpha NEX-6 front
 
Sony SLT-A57 front
Portability
64
Imaging
57
Features
85
Overall
68

Sony NEX-6 vs Sony A57 Key Specs

Sony NEX-6
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 345g - 120 x 67 x 43mm
  • Released March 2013
  • Replacement is Sony A6000
Sony A57
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 16000 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 618g - 132 x 98 x 81mm
  • Launched September 2012
  • Succeeded the Sony A55
  • Updated by Sony A58
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Sony NEX-6 vs Sony A57 Overview

Below, we are analyzing the Sony NEX-6 vs Sony A57, one is a Advanced Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR and they are both produced by Sony. The image resolution of the NEX-6 (16MP) and the A57 (16MP) is very similar and they enjoy the exact same sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The NEX-6 was released 7 months after the A57 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Sony NEX-6 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A57 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving through a in depth comparison, below is a short summary of how the NEX-6 scores versus the A57 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony NEX-6 over the Sony A57

 NEX-6 A57 
LaunchedMarch 2013September 2012More modern by 7 months

Reasons to pick Sony A57 over the Sony NEX-6

 A57 NEX-6 
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Sony NEX-6 and Sony A57

 NEX-6 A57 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing
Display dimension3"3"Identical display dimensions
Display resolution921k921kIdentical display resolution
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Sony NEX-6 vs Sony A57 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry around your camera often, you are going to need to factor its weight and size. The Sony NEX-6 provides physical dimensions of 120mm x 67mm x 43mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 1.7") along with a weight of 345 grams (0.76 lbs) and the Sony A57 has specifications of 132mm x 98mm x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 618 grams (1.36 lbs).

Check the Sony NEX-6 vs Sony A57 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you choose during that time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the NEX-6 compared to the A57.

Sony NEX-6 vs Sony A57 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the NEX-6 and A57 is 85 and 64 respectively.

Sony NEX-6 vs Sony A57 top view buttons comparison

Sony NEX-6 vs Sony A57 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very difficult to imagine the gap between sensor sizes only by going over technical specs. The pic below will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the NEX-6 and A57.

As you can tell, each of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the exact same resolution therefore you should expect similar quality of images though you need to consider the production date of the products into consideration. The fresher NEX-6 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Sony NEX-6 vs Sony A57 sensor size comparison

Sony NEX-6 vs Sony A57 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony NEX-6 vs Sony A57 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony NEX-6 Portrait photography highlights
Sony A57 Portrait photography highlights
74
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
74
focusing manually
MP count good (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detection focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sony NEX-6 Street photography details
Sony A57 Street photography details
78
screen tilts up and down
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than average in class (345 grams)
above average high ISO (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
75
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Sony NEX-6 Sports photography advice
Sony A57 Sports photography advice
66
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
lack of image stabilization
78
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
has phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sony NEX-6 Travel photography details
Sony A57 Travel photography details
75
lighter than average in class (345g)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
screen is not selfie friendly
67
MP count good (16MP)
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
doesn't have Timelapse mode
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony NEX-6
Landscape photography with Sony A57
75
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3")
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
above average high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
72
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony NEX-6 Vlogging information
Sony A57 Vlogging information
32
comes with face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average in class (345 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
missing external mic socket
77
display is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has external microphone jack
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Sony NEX-6 vs Sony A57 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony NEX-6 and Sony A57
 Sony Alpha NEX-6Sony SLT-A57
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha NEX-6 Sony SLT-A57
Type Advanced Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2013-03-25 2012-09-13
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Bionz -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4912 x 3264 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 25600 16000
Max boosted ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 99 15
Cross type focus points - 3
Lens
Lens support Sony E Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 121 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 921 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech Xtra Fine LCD with Tilt Up 90� and Down 45� Xtra Fine TFT drive with TruBlack technology
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,359 thousand dot 1,440 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.73x 0.7x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames per second 12.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.00 m 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/160 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 345g (0.76 pounds) 618g (1.36 pounds)
Dimensions 120 x 67 x 43mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 1.7") 132 x 98 x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 78 75
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 23.4
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.1 13.0
DXO Low light rating 1018 785
Other
Battery life 360 pictures 550 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NPFW50 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Retail pricing $365 $1,000