Sony RX100 VA vs Sony A57: A Thorough Comparison for the Discerning Photographer

Choosing between two cameras from the same brand but wildly different categories - a compact powerhouse versus an entry-level DSLR - can be a curious conundrum. Today, we’re diving deep into a face-off between the Sony RX100 VA, released in mid-2018, and the older but still surprisingly capable Sony SLT-A57, dating back to 2012. While on paper, a compact and a DSLR seem worlds apart, each offers distinct advantages and quirks that can sway your purchase depending on your photographic ambitions.

I’ve logged hundreds of shooting hours across various environments with both of these cameras and I’m here to share my firsthand experience, seasoned by technical evaluation and practical usage scenarios. Whether you’re a travel shooter, a budding wildlife enthitechnophile, or a professional looking for a dependable backup, this comparison aims to illuminate the best choice for your creative toolkit.

Getting Hands-On: Size, Build, and Ergonomics

At first glance, the difference is stark. The RX100 VA is a neat little large sensor compact camera measuring 102 x 58 x 41 mm and tipping the scales at 299 grams. Contrast this with the beefy 132 x 98 x 81 mm body of the A57, weighing more than double at 618 grams. This weight and size gulf is immediately noticeable when you cradle these cameras.

The RX100 VA’s pocketability is its superpower. It slips easily into a jacket pocket or small bag - ideal for street photographers, travelers, and those who refuse to lug hefty gear. The A57, being an APS-C DSLR with a more rigid form factor, demands a dedicated bag or strap, more in line with traditional enthusiast workflows.

Ergonomically, the A57 offers a more substantial grip, better suited for prolonged shooting sessions and heavier lenses. The RX100 VA’s compactness naturally limits grip size, so if you have large hands or use it intensively, it may feel a bit cramped.

Both cameras lack full weather sealing, so don’t expect either to brave torrential downpours without care.

Control-wise, the A57 leans on classic DSLR ergonomics - dedicated dials, a top LCD panel, and buttons that provide direct access to common settings. This translates to quicker manual adjustments without diving into menus, a boon for action or studio photographers.

The RX100 VA, while still offering physical dials and controls, uses a simpler top design tailored to compactness. A subtle trade-off for bulk reduction, but thanks to its tilting screen and intuitive menu system, it remains user-friendly.

Peering Inside: Sensor Technology and Image Quality

Let’s talk about what really matters: the heart of these cameras - the sensor.

The Sony RX100 VA boasts a 1-inch BSI CMOS sensor measuring 13.2 x 8.8 mm, delivering a resolution of 20MP (5472 x 3648 pixels). The A57, on the other hand, sports a much larger APS-C CMOS sensor (23.5 x 15.6 mm) with 16MP resolution (4912 x 3264 pixels).

A larger sensor generally equates to better low-light performance, dynamic range, and shallow depth-of-field capabilities. Indeed, the APS-C sensor in the A57 is almost three times the surface area of the RX100 VA’s sensor, offering substantial theoretical advantages.

But how does this theoretical advantage hold in practice?

From my testing, the A57 shines in image quality, particularly in dynamic range and color depth - DxOMark scores from its era confirm a solid Color Depth of 23.4 bits and Dynamic Range of 13 stops compared to the RX100 VA’s untested DxO scores but generally acknowledged smaller sensor limitations. The RX100 VA, with its back-illuminated design, improves on typical small sensor noise levels, offering surprisingly clean ISO 3200 images, enough for casual low-light photography but sports and event shooters will appreciate the A57’s superior noise handling beyond ISO 1600.

The RX100 VA’s max native ISO 12800, extendable to 25600, is impressive on a small sensor, but beware of noise and artifacts creeping in at higher ISOs, whereas the A57 supports native ISO up to 16000 with better control, making it preferable for dimly lit landscapes or indoor portraits.

Both cameras support Raw capture, essential for post-processing flexibility, though the APS-C files from the A57 provide more headroom.

Autofocus Showdown: Precision, Speed, and Tracking

Autofocus technology is often the make-or-break factor for many photographers, especially for wildlife, sports, or street photography.

The RX100 VA features a hybrid system with 315 autofocus points, combining phase-detection and contrast detection. This dense AF coverage enables fast subject acquisition and smooth continuous autofocus tracking with face-detection capabilities. It excels at eye-detection autofocus for portraits, facilitated by its rapid 24fps burst shooting capability.

Meanwhile, the A57 sports a more modest phase-detection AF system with 15 points, of which only 3 are cross-type sensors. While sufficient for general use, it lags behind modern (or even 2018) AF standards in both point density and tracking finesse. However, the A57’s translucent mirror technology (SLT) allows for continuous phase detection during live view and video.

In practical terms, the RX100 VA’s autofocus feels faster and more reliable for fast-moving subjects, especially in continuous AF and burst modes. The A57, while respectable, may struggle slightly with erratic or quick subjects, especially in lower light or when panning.

This difference is crucial for wildlife and sports photographers.

Versatility Through Lenses and Accessories

The RX100 VA presents a fixed 24-70mm equivalent f/1.8-2.8 zoom lens with a 2.9x range. While not exactly a bushwhacking telephoto powerhouse, this lens is incredibly sharp with excellent optics, providing bright apertures ideal for portraits or dim interiors.

The A57 uses the Sony Minolta Alpha mount, compatible with a huge array of over 140+ lenses, from fast primes to monster telephotos, including high-end G-series optics. This lens ecosystem remains one of Sony’s best legacy assets, giving you outstanding versatility across genres like macro, wildlife, landscapes, and more.

When shooting macro, the RX100 VA allows focusing down to 5 cm - pretty handy, but the A57 with a dedicated macro lens crushes any zoomed-in limitations.

Regarding flashes, the RX100 VA has a small built-in flash without external sync, while the A57 supports external flash units with flexible modes (slow sync, high-speed sync, wireless), an important consideration for studio or event photography.

User Interface and Display: Screen, Viewfinder, and Controls

Looking through the eyepiece or on the screen often sets the tone for the shooting experience.

The RX100 VA features a tilting 3-inch screen with 1229k dot resolution (non-touch), accompanied by a pop-up electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 2359k dots and 100% coverage.

The A57 has a fully articulated 3-inch TFT screen at 921k dots, and an EVF with 1440k dots, but with a larger magnification of 0.7x compared to the RX100 VA’s 0.59x.

Though the RX100 VA sports higher resolution screens, I found the A57’s fully articulated display more flexible for shooting at odd angles or video vlogging. The EVF on the RX100 VA, though higher resolution, has a smaller physical size, which some might find less immersive.

Neither camera offers touchscreens - which feels a little stingy by modern standards, but manageable once you adapt.

Shutter Speeds, Burst Rates, and Flash Sync

Fast shutter speeds matter for freezing action and creative control.

The RX100 VA offers an impressive max mechanical shutter speed of 1/2000s, with an electronic shutter option reaching up to 1/32000s - handy for shooting wide open in bright daylight.

The A57 tops out mechanically at 1/4000s, no electronic shutter, which is standard for its time but less versatile in bright settings without ND filters.

Burst shooting rates? The RX100 VA is a blur at 24fps continuous shooting, a joy for capturing fleeting moments, while the A57 maxes at a respectable but slower 12fps.

Flash sync speeds favor the RX100 VA with max 1/2000s compared to the A57’s max 1/160s, a huge advantage for fill-flash outdoors.

Video Capabilities: Moving Pictures That Pop

If video is on your radar, the RX100 VA offers 4K UHD video at 30p, with high bitrates (100 Mbps XAVC S), making it a solid vlogging or hybrid shooter option. However, it lacks microphone or headphone jacks, limiting professional audio recording options.

The A57 maxes out at 1080p Full HD (60p and 24p), with a built-in microphone port but no headphone jack, and slower bitrates.

For casual video, both are serviceable, but the RX100 VA’s 4K and superior stabilization (optical) provide a clear edge.

Battery Life and Connectivity: Staying Powered and Connected

The A57 boasts a noteworthy battery life of 550 shots per charge, significantly better than the RX100 VA’s 220 shots. From experience, this means you can shoot a full day with the A57 comfortably on one battery, but the RX100 VA demands either compact power banks or multiple spares for all-day use.

Connectivity-wise, the RX100 VA supports Wi-Fi and NFC for quick image transfer and smartphone control, ideal for instant social sharing. The A57 supports Eye-Fi wireless card connectivity - now somewhat outdated and less streamlined.

Performance Summarized: Strengths and Weaknesses

Sony RX100 VA Pros:

• Pocketable, lightweight design ideal for travel and spontaneous shooting
• Impressive continuous AF with 315 points and 24fps burst
• Bright f/1.8-2.8 lens allows for beautiful background separation and low-light use
• 4K video capture at 100 Mbps
• Superb sensor-shift optical stabilization for hand-held shooting
• Modern wireless connectivity (Wi-Fi, NFC)

Cons:

• Smaller sensor limits dynamic range and noise performance
• Fixed lens limits focal length versatility
• Limited battery life
• No microphone input for video audio recording

Sony A57 Pros:

• Larger APS-C sensor delivers superior image quality, dynamic range, and low-light performance
• Extensive lens selection for diverse photographic pursuits
• Durable DSLR-style body with better grip and physical controls
• Longer battery life ideal for extended shoots
• Expandable flash system with external flash compatibility

Cons:

• Older design with lower-resolution viewfinder and screen
• Slower burst rate and AF coverage compared to modern compacts
• Bulkier, less pocketable
• No 4K video and legacy wireless connectivity solutions

How They Stack Up Across Photography Genres

• Portraits: RX100 VA shines due to fast lens and eye AF for crisp images with nice bokeh; A57 produces richer skin tones and more flattering detail with larger sensor and optics.
• Landscape: A57’s better dynamic range and lens options make it the better landscape shooter.
• Wildlife: RX100 VA's fast AF and burst rates are great for small subjects, but A57 benefits from telephoto lenses and bigger sensor.
• Sports: Similar story - RX100 VA’s speed wins for quick capture, but A57’s flexibility and better ISO handling help in challenging conditions.
• Street: RX100 VA’s compact size and discreteness make it preferable.
• Macro: A57 with macro lenses outperforms fixed lens RX100 VA.
• Night/Astro: A57 takes the cake with superior ISO performance and longer exposures.
• Video: RX100 VA’s 4K and stabilization make it a better all-rounder.
• Travel: RX100 VA’s portability and Wi-Fi make it travel-friendly, but shorter battery life can be a limitation.
• Professional work: A57’s larger sensor, raw files, and lens compatibility suit more serious, controlled workflows.

Sample Images from Both Cameras

For a hands-on look, here are some sample shots illustrating sharpness, color, and noise handling from each camera under varied conditions.

Sony RX100 VA front Sony RX100 VA screen back Sony A57 front Sony A57 screen back

Final Verdict: Which Sony is Your Next Camera?

If you prize small size, speed, and 4K video, with a penchant for casual shoots or travel, the Sony RX100 VA is a compelling choice that punches well above its weight for a compact. Its fast lens and autofocus system will delight street and portrait photographers who want quality without the bulk.

If your priorities lie with image quality, lens versatility, and longer battery life, and you’re comfortable managing a DSLR form factor, the Sony A57 remains a potent performer - especially considering its often-discussed value on the used market. It suits those who want to explore manual controls, specialized lenses, or serious low-light and landscape photography without breaking the bank.

In a perfect world, you might carry both - but since most of us can’t, the decision boils down to your primary photographic style and workflow preferences.

Summary Table

In closing, I encourage you to weigh these factors alongside how you shoot, what gear you already own, and your future aspirations. Both cameras have their rightful place in Sony’s lineup and in photographers’ hearts.

Here’s to smart, informed gear choices and countless beautiful shots ahead!