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Sony RX100 VA vs Sony A57

Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
77
Overall
63
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V(A) front
 
Sony SLT-A57 front
Portability
64
Imaging
57
Features
85
Overall
68

Sony RX100 VA vs Sony A57 Key Specs

Sony RX100 VA
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-70mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
  • 299g - 102 x 58 x 41mm
  • Revealed July 2018
Sony A57
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 16000 (Boost to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 618g - 132 x 98 x 81mm
  • Announced September 2012
  • Replaced the Sony A55
  • Renewed by Sony A58
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Sony RX100 VA vs Sony A57 Overview

Its time to look a bit more in depth at the Sony RX100 VA and Sony A57, former being a Large Sensor Compact while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR and both of them are offered by Sony. There is a large difference among the sensor resolutions of the RX100 VA (20MP) and A57 (16MP) and the RX100 VA (1") and A57 (APS-C) provide different sensor sizing.

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The RX100 VA was introduced 5 years later than the A57 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Sony RX100 VA being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony A57 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief view of how the RX100 VA scores versus the A57 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony RX100 VA over the Sony A57

 RX100 VA A57 
AnnouncedJuly 2018September 2012Fresher by 71 months
Screen resolution1229k921kSharper screen (+308k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A57 over the Sony RX100 VA

 A57 RX100 VA 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen

Common features in the Sony RX100 VA and Sony A57

 RX100 VA A57 
Manual focus More precise focus
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement
Selfie screen Both are selfie friendly
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Sony RX100 VA vs Sony A57 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry your camera often, you should think about its weight and dimensions. The Sony RX100 VA provides physical measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") with a weight of 299 grams (0.66 lbs) and the Sony A57 has dimensions of 132mm x 98mm x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 618 grams (1.36 lbs).

Contrast the Sony RX100 VA and Sony A57 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are working with at that time. Here is a front view measurements comparison of the RX100 VA and the A57.

Sony RX100 VA vs Sony A57 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the RX100 VA and A57 is 89 and 64 respectively.

Sony RX100 VA vs Sony A57 top view buttons comparison

Sony RX100 VA vs Sony A57 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is hard to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing merely by checking out technical specs. The graphic here should give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the RX100 VA and A57.

As you have seen, the two cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The RX100 VA having a smaller sensor is going to make getting bokeh harder and the Sony RX100 VA will provide extra detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots way more aggressively. The more recent RX100 VA should have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Sony RX100 VA vs Sony A57 sensor size comparison

Sony RX100 VA vs Sony A57 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony RX100 VA vs Sony A57 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony RX100 VA
Portrait photography with Sony A57
66
manual focus
above average flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
MP count decent (20MP)
sensor size is good (1")
comes with face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
external flash not possible
74
you can focus manually
MP count good (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sony RX100 VA as a Street photography camera
Sony A57 as a Street photography camera
86
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is good (1")
saves RAW formats
lighter than competitors in class (299g)
75
screen articulates
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sony RX100 VA
Sports photography with Sony A57
70
silent shutter (1/32,000 seconds)
max fps high (24.0 frames/s)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (20MP)
sensor size is good (1")
comes with tracking autofocus
comes with phase detect AF
terrible battery (220 CIPA)
78
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
supports phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony RX100 VA as a Travel photography camera
Sony A57 as a Travel photography camera
76
lighter than competitors in class (299g)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
really wide (24mm)
very good maximum aperture (f1.8)
missing Timelapse function
terrible battery (220 per charge)
67
MP count good (16MP)
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Landscape Comparison

Sony RX100 VA Landscape photography factors
Sony A57 Landscape photography factors
66
manual focus
really wide (24mm)
very good maximum aperture (f1.8)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (1")
saves RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
terrible battery (220 CIPA)
missing Timelapse function
72
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony RX100 VA
Vlogging with Sony A57
81
really wide (24mm)
very good maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focusing
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
lighter than competitors in class (299g)
missing external microphone port
77
screen is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with mic socket
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Sony RX100 VA vs Sony A57 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony RX100 VA and Sony A57
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V(A)Sony SLT-A57
General Information
Company Sony Sony
Model type Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V(A) Sony SLT-A57
Type Large Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2018-07-13 2012-09-13
Physical type Large Sensor Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Bionz X -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 13.2 x 8.8mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 116.2mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5472 x 3648 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 12800 16000
Max enhanced ISO 25600 25600
Min native ISO 125 100
RAW support
Min enhanced ISO 80 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 315 15
Cross type focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 24-70mm (2.9x) -
Max aperture f/1.8-2.8 -
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Available lenses - 143
Crop factor 2.7 1.5
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fully Articulated
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 1,229 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology - Xtra Fine TFT drive with TruBlack technology
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,359 thousand dots 1,440 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.59x 0.7x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Fastest quiet shutter speed 1/32000s -
Continuous shutter rate 24.0 frames/s 12.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 10.20 m (at Auto ISO) 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Rear Sync, Flash Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/2000s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (60p, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB NP-BX1 lithium-ion battery & USB charger USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 299 grams (0.66 lb) 618 grams (1.36 lb)
Physical dimensions 102 x 58 x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") 132 x 98 x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 220 images 550 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-BX1 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Cost at release $998 $1,000