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Sony W690 vs Sony A57

Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
32
Overall
36
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690 front
 
Sony SLT-A57 front
Portability
64
Imaging
57
Features
85
Overall
68

Sony W690 vs Sony A57 Key Specs

Sony W690
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 142g - 94 x 56 x 22mm
  • Introduced February 2012
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
  • Revealed September 2012
  • Earlier Model is Sony A55
  • Renewed by Sony A58
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Sony W690 vs Sony A57 Overview

In this article, we will be looking at the Sony W690 vs Sony A57, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR and both are built by Sony. The image resolution of the W690 (16MP) and the A57 (16MP) is pretty comparable but the W690 (1/2.3") and A57 (APS-C) possess totally different sensor sizes.

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The W690 was revealed 6 months before the A57 which means that they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras offer different body type with the Sony W690 being a Compact camera and the Sony A57 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go in to a detailed comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the W690 scores against the A57 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sony W690 over the Sony A57

 W690 A57 

Reasons to pick Sony A57 over the Sony W690

 A57 W690 
Manual focus More precise focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Sony W690 and Sony A57

 W690 A57 
RevealedFebruary 2012September 2012Same generation
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Sony W690 vs Sony A57 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to lug around your camera frequently, you should consider its weight and volume. The Sony W690 comes with outer measurements of 94mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs) while the Sony A57 has sizing of 132mm x 98mm x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2") and a weight of 618 grams (1.36 lbs).

Take a look at the Sony W690 vs Sony A57 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you choose at that time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the W690 compared to the A57.

Sony W690 vs Sony A57 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the W690 and A57 is 95 and 64 respectively.

Sony W690 vs Sony A57 top view buttons comparison

Sony W690 vs Sony A57 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be tough to visualise the difference in sensor measurements just by seeing a spec sheet. The photograph underneath should offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the W690 and A57.

As you can see, both cameras enjoy the same exact megapixels albeit not the same sensor measurements. The W690 comes with the smaller sensor which is going to make obtaining shallow DOF more difficult.

Sony W690 vs Sony A57 sensor size comparison

Sony W690 vs Sony A57 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony W690 vs Sony A57 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony W690
Portrait photography with Sony A57
34
decent MP (16MP)
has face detection autofocus
no manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
74
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sony W690 as a Street photography camera
Sony A57 as a Street photography camera
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
75
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sony W690
Sports photography with Sony A57
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
has tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
78
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
comes with phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Sony W690 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A57 as a Travel photography camera
68
decent MP (16MP)
has built in flash
really wide (25mm)
great zoom (250mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
67
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
lack of Time Lapse function
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Landscape Comparison

Sony W690 Landscape photography advice
Sony A57 Landscape photography advice
43
really wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
no manual focus
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
no manual control
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
72
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony W690
Vlogging with Sony A57
31
really wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection autofocus
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external mic support
77
screen is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have external mic socket
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Sony W690 vs Sony A57 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony W690 and Sony A57
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690Sony SLT-A57
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model type Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690 Sony SLT-A57
Class Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2012-02-28 2012-09-13
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by BIONZ -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 3200 16000
Max enhanced ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 15
Cross type focus points - 3
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 25-250mm (10.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Number of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology ClearPhoto TFT LCD display Xtra Fine TFT drive with TruBlack technology
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 12.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.30 m 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 142 grams (0.31 lb) 618 grams (1.36 lb)
Dimensions 94 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 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
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-BN NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Launch pricing $297 $1,000