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Sony W730 vs Sony A57

Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
33
Overall
37
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W730 front
 
Sony SLT-A57 front
Portability
64
Imaging
58
Features
85
Overall
68

Sony W730 vs Sony A57 Key Specs

Sony W730
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-224mm (F3.3-6.3) lens
  • 122g - 93 x 52 x 22mm
  • Launched January 2013
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
  • Introduced September 2012
  • Superseded the Sony A55
  • Replacement is Sony A58
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Sony W730 vs Sony A57 Overview

The following is a extended review of the Sony W730 versus Sony A57, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR and both of them are manufactured by Sony. The image resolution of the W730 (16MP) and the A57 (16MP) is fairly comparable but the W730 (1/2.3") and A57 (APS-C) have totally different sensor sizes.

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The W730 was introduced 4 months after the A57 and they are of a similar age. Both cameras feature different body design with the Sony W730 being a Compact camera and the Sony A57 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple summary of how the W730 matches up versus the A57 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony W730 over the Sony A57

 W730 A57 
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A57 over the Sony W730

 A57 W730 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kSharper display (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Sony W730 and Sony A57

 W730 A57 
IntroducedJanuary 2013September 2012Same age

Sony W730 vs Sony A57 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to travel with your camera, you'll have to consider its weight and measurements. The Sony W730 offers physical dimensions of 93mm x 52mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.0" x 0.9") with a weight of 122 grams (0.27 lbs) whilst the Sony A57 has proportions 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 out the Sony W730 versus Sony A57 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Below is a front view dimension comparison of the W730 and the A57.

Sony W730 vs Sony A57 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the W730 and A57 is 96 and 64 respectively.

Sony W730 vs Sony A57 top view buttons comparison

Sony W730 vs Sony A57 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is tough to see the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by seeing a spec sheet. The picture underneath will help give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the W730 and A57.

Clearly, both the cameras come with the identical megapixel count but not the same sensor dimensions. The W730 includes the smaller sensor which is going to make getting shallower depth of field more challenging.

Sony W730 vs Sony A57 sensor size comparison

Sony W730 vs Sony A57 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony W730 vs Sony A57 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony W730 Portrait photography factors
Sony A57 Portrait photography factors
35
resolution is good (16MP)
comes with face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
74
focusing manually
decent MP (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sony W730 Street photography factors
Sony A57 Street photography factors
67
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers touch focus
lighter than competition (122g)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
76
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sony W730
Sports photography with Sony A57
41
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
79
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
has phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony W730
Travel photography with Sony A57
71
lighter than competition (122 grams)
offers touch focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
67
decent MP (16MP)
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
no Timelapse mode
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Landscape Comparison

Sony W730 Landscape photography details
Sony A57 Landscape photography details
39
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7")
no manual control
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse mode
73
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony W730 Vlogging information
Sony A57 Vlogging information
34
fairly wide (25mm)
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect autofocus
lighter than competition (122 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have mic support
77
screen is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has microphone support
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Sony W730 vs Sony A57 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony W730 and Sony A57
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W730Sony SLT-A57
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model type Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W730 Sony SLT-A57
Class Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2013-01-08 2012-09-13
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 3200 16000
Maximum enhanced ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 15
Cross type focus points - 3
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 25-224mm (9.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.3-6.3 -
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Total lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech TFT LCD display Xtra Fine TFT drive with TruBlack technology
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 2s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per second 12.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 2.80 m 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, Advanced Flash Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported 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)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 122 gr (0.27 pounds) 618 gr (1.36 pounds)
Physical dimensions 93 x 52 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.0" 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 240 photos 550 photos
Battery style 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
Storage type 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 1 1
Launch cost $138 $1,000