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Sony WX50 vs Sony A57

Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
36
Overall
37
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX50 front
 
Sony SLT-A57 front
Portability
64
Imaging
57
Features
85
Overall
68

Sony WX50 vs Sony A57 Key Specs

Sony WX50
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.6-6.3) lens
  • 117g - 92 x 52 x 19mm
  • Launched January 2012
Sony A57
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 16000 (Push to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 618g - 132 x 98 x 81mm
  • Revealed September 2012
  • Superseded the Sony A55
  • Successor is Sony A58
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Sony WX50 vs Sony A57 Overview

In this write-up, we will be comparing the Sony WX50 and Sony A57, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR and both of them are built by Sony. The image resolution of the WX50 (16MP) and the A57 (16MP) is pretty well matched but the WX50 (1/2.3") and A57 (APS-C) feature different sensor sizes.

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The WX50 was brought out 7 months before the A57 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Sony WX50 being a Compact camera and the Sony A57 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a short summation of how the WX50 matches up vs the A57 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony WX50 over the Sony A57

 WX50 A57 

Reasons to pick Sony A57 over the Sony WX50

 A57 WX50 
RevealedSeptember 2012January 2012More modern by 7 months
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k461kSharper screen (+460k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Sony WX50 and Sony A57

 WX50 A57 
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Sony WX50 vs Sony A57 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry around your camera frequently, you need to take into account its weight and volume. The Sony WX50 has physical measurements of 92mm x 52mm x 19mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.7") along with a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs) while the Sony A57 has sizing of 132mm x 98mm x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2") having a weight of 618 grams (1.36 lbs).

Analyze the Sony WX50 and Sony A57 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are working with at that time. Here is the front view dimensions comparison of the WX50 and the A57.

Sony WX50 vs Sony A57 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the WX50 and A57 is 96 and 64 respectively.

Sony WX50 vs Sony A57 top view buttons comparison

Sony WX50 vs Sony A57 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's difficult to imagine the difference between sensor sizes only by reading through specs. The picture below should give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the WX50 and A57.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact MP albeit different sensor sizes. The WX50 includes the tinier sensor which should make getting shallow depth of field more difficult. The more aged WX50 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Sony WX50 vs Sony A57 sensor size comparison

Sony WX50 vs Sony A57 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony WX50 vs Sony A57 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony WX50 Portrait photography info
Sony A57 Portrait photography info
34
good resolution (16 megapixels)
comes with face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
no manual mode
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
74
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sony WX50 as a Street photography camera
Sony A57 as a Street photography camera
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (117g)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
75
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Sony WX50 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A57 as a Sports photography camera
44
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
78
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
supports phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sony WX50 Travel photography information
Sony A57 Travel photography information
69
lighter than competition in class (117g)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
does not have a selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f2.6)
67
good megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
no Time Lapse function
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Landscape Comparison

Sony WX50 Landscape photography information
Sony A57 Landscape photography information
38
quite wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.6)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no manual mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse mode
72
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
good sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony WX50 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A57 as a Vlogging camera
35
quite wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (117g)
slow max aperture (f2.6)
does not have a selfie friendly display
doesn't have microphone support
77
selfie friendly display
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with external mic jack
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Sony WX50 vs Sony A57 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony WX50 and Sony A57
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX50Sony SLT-A57
General Information
Make Sony Sony
Model type Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX50 Sony SLT-A57
Class Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2012-01-30 2012-09-13
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by BIONZ -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
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 12800 16000
Maximum enhanced ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 15
Cross type focus points - 3
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 25-125mm (5.0x) -
Highest aperture f/2.6-6.3 -
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Number of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 461 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology Clearfoto TFT LCD display Xtra Fine TFT drive with TruBlack technology
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 10.0fps 12.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.30 m 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 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 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 117 grams (0.26 lb) 618 grams (1.36 lb)
Dimensions 92 x 52 x 19mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.7") 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 pictures 550 pictures
Battery format 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 recording
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
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at release $250 $1,000