Value and Verdict

Sony Alpha A57 review – Value

With its 18-55mm kit lens the A57 is currently priced at just under £700, and around £80 less for just the body. With the outgoing A55 being less available, the closest model for comparison would be the A65 which is only around £70 dearer. Reflected in this premium is the A65’s 24.3MP sensor, 2.36million dot OLED viewfinder and GPS system, alongside a handful of smaller differences, all of which makes the A65 appear as the better value model. Once the A57 has spent as long on the market as that model, however, its price may descend to a more competitive point. Both two models are competitively specified when compared with their immediate peers, though, value for money being something of a hallmark for the Alpha line.

Sony Alpha A57 review – Verdict

Aside from its more enthusiast-focused design, the A57 can’t be said to be a significant update over the A55 it replaces. True, this isn’t entirely a bad thing, as it shares many of that camera’s positive attributes, from its snappy focusing performance and reliable image and video quality, to the handful of features which make it as enjoyable to use as the camera is capable. Anyone looking for a camera which marries entry-level simplicity with enthusiast control should, without question, add it to their shortlist along with the similarly-priced Nikon D5100 and Canon EOS 600D. Nevertheless, while it’s welcome to see improvements to the camera’s burst shooting functionality and sensitivity span, it’s disappointing that basic issues which impede operability continue to be ignored. Despite this, the A57 is still a capable and cheaper alternative to the A65, and one likely to appeal to those who’d take advantage of its slightly better noise performance. In its own right it earns itself a warm recommendation, although those interested in one are advised to look closely at the other too.