Every second, you can capture up to 12 dynamic close-ups of subjects in motion
Tele-zoom Continuous Advance Priority AE magnifies the center of the action 1.4x to bring subjects closer at a clear 8-megapixel resolution
You can also team Smart Zoom with 2x magnification for super zoomed shots (4MP, S size)
The A57 also supports 10 fps continuous shooting at the camera's highest resolution (16.1 megapixels)
15-point AF system with 3 cross sensors:
Ensures fast and accurate TTL phasedetection autofocusing wherever and whenever you shoot
Even when capturing moving subjects in dim lighting, the three vertically aligned cross sensors deliver accurate and reliable tracking
You can choose any of four AF area modes (Wide, Zone, Spot or Local) depending on your needs
High sensitivity (ISO 100-16000):
Large Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor provides an extremely wide sensitivity range of 7 1/3 steps
You can use AUTO ISO (100-3200) for outstanding results in most lighting conditions or manually raise sensitivity up to ISO 16000 when lighting is low
Even at high sensitivity settings, the A57 captures every detail with natural tonal gradations and extremely low noise
This makes the A57 perfect for shooting indoor athletes at high shutter speeds without a tripod or reproducing the mood of candlelit rooms without supplemental lighting
Full-time Continuous AF:
Even at maximum continuous shooting speed and during live-view movie shooting, accelerated full-time continuous phase-detection autofocusing keeps your subject in sharp focus without the slightest delay
This remarkable AF performance, made possible by Translucent Mirror Technology, lets you effortlessly capture dramatic moments and expressions in all types of situations with professional-looking results
Class-leading release time lag:
When you press the shutter button, the A57 responds in 0.05 second - a blazing speed that rivals professional cameras
Made possible by an innovative electronic front curtain shutter, this accelerated response lets you capture decisive moments with utmost confidence
The electronic front curtain shutter also produces less shutter noise and vibration than a mechanical front curtain shutter (which can be activated if desired through the MENU)
Enhanced Object Tracking:
Object Tracking utilizes powerful predictive focusing algorithms, 15 AF points in a wide focus area, blazing-fast BIONZ image processing and Sony's original subject recognition technologies to track subjects with speed and precision
When your subject is a person, it automatically switches between face detection tracking and object tracking, depending on whether your subject is facing the camera
Quick AF Full HD Movie:
Even when shooting movies at Full HD resolution, the A57 employs speedy full-time continuous phase-detection autofocusing
Most interchangeable lens cameras revert to contrast-detection AF that slowly hunts for the correct focus when shooting movies
But the A57 delivers the same swift, accurate focusing as during still photography to capture even fast-moving subjects with clarity
You can even lock exposure, switch the focus point, enjoy digital zooming and more while shooting movies for expanded creative control
Large image sensor:
From corner to corner, every detail of your scene is beautifully captured by Sony's proprietary Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor
In addition to offering impressive 16.1-effective-megapixel resolution, its extra-large dimensions deliver supreme sensitivity in lowlight conditions and gorgeous background
defocusing effects beyond the capabilities of conventional camcorders
Moreover, dual noise reduction and enhanced BIONZ image processing ensure smooth gradations with minimal noise in low-light conditions
This means you can add a cinematic sense of drama to virtually any scene
AVCHD Ver. 2.0 (Progressive) Full HD 60p (50p) movies:
Create movies of amazing clarity that play extra smoothly by recording them at Full HD resolution (1920 x 1080 pixels) in the AVCHD Ver. 2.0 (Progressive) format - at the extremely high frame rate of 60 (50) fps
You can easily download the movies to your computer for editing and recording to Blu-ray media, which is highly compatible with the AVCHD Ver. 2.0 (Progressive) codec
Sony's lightning fast Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor and Full-time Continuous AF ensure flawless capture even at accelerated 60 (50) fps
Full manual movie shooting:
The A57 frees you to realize your creative moviemaking vision
P/A/S/M modes (Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority and Manual) let you flexibly adjust aperture and shutter speed to modify the depth of field and achieve effects like defocused backgrounds when shooting movies in the manual focusing mode
On-screen prompts provide assistance to make full manual operation quick, easy and comfortable
Audio noise reduction:
Sound is captured clearly with minimal noise thanks to a high-performance stereo microphone on the mirror housing and advanced noise reduction that effectively suppresses AF lens drive noise via innovative NR algorithm
24p (25p) cinema-like expression:
Movies played at theaters are traditionally captured at 24 (25) fps, creating a subtle but unmistakable look that film lovers everywhere associate with the cinema
Simply by capturing your movies at the same frame rate, inthe progressive format at 24p (25p), you can recreate this look and endow your movies with an added sense of quality and drama
This feature, together with interchangeable-lens flexibility, exceptional image quality and advanced A57 capabilities, makes it easy to achieve your moviemaking aspirations
Interchangeable-lens freedom:
Like a movie director, you can use whatever lens most effectively brings out the moment
Whether fisheye, telephoto, macro, fixed focal length or zoom lens, the A57 lets you take advantage of almost any system A-mount lens
Moreover, all of these lenses are compatible with the highspeed phase-detection AF system in the A57, enabling clear results in the most challenging conditions
One-touch movie access:
With one press of the Movie button, the A57 is ready to roll
The camera immediately enters movie recording mode even if you were shooting photographs continuously or in single-frame mode
It's the quick and easy way to capture every moviemaking opportunity
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type:
Camera type: Interchangeable-lens digital camera with built-in flash
Lens compatibility:
Lens compatibility: Sony A-mount lenses, operation with Minolta/Konica Minolta lenses confirmed
Image sensor:
Type: APS-C size (23.5 x 15.6 mm), Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor with primary color filters
Number of pixels (effective): Approx. 16.1 megapixels
Number of pixels (total): Approx. 16.7 megapixels
Image sensor aspect ratio: 3:2
Anti-dust system: Charge protection coating on Low-Pass Filter and Image Sensor-Shift mechanism
Image quality modes: RAW, RAW & JPEG, JPEG Fine, JPEG Standard
Picture Effect: 11 modes (15 effects): Posterization (Color, B/W), Pop Color, Retro Photo, Partial Color (R,G,B,Y), High Contrast Monochrome, Toy Camera, Soft High-key, Soft Focus, HDR Painting, Rich-tone
Monochrome, Miniature
Creative Style: Standard, Vivid, Portrait, Landscape, Sunset, B/W (Contrast -3 to +3 steps, Saturation -3 to +3 steps, Sharpness -3 to +3 steps)
Dynamic range functions: Off, Dynamic Range Optimizer (Auto/Level), Auto High Dynamic Range: Off, Auto Exposure Difference, Exposure Difference Level (1-6 EV, 1.0 EV step)
Color space: sRGB, Adobe RGB
Recording system (movie):
Recording format: AVCHD 2.0 (Progressive) / MP4
Video compression: MPEG-4 AVC (H.264)
Audio recording format: Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC
Eye point: Maximum: 23.1mm from the eyepiece, 18 mm from the eyepiece frame at -1 diopter (CIPA
standard); Standard: 25.2 mm from the eyepiece, 20.1mm from the eyepiece frame at -1 diopter (CIPA
standard)
Display: Histogram Display, Graphic Display, Digital Level Gauge, Shooting Data Display, SimpleDisplay, Grid Line
Real-time image adjustment display: Exposure Comp, White Balance, Creative Style
LCD monitor:
Type: Xtra Fine, 7.5 cm (3.0 type) TFT drive with TruBlack technology
Total number of dots: 921,600 dots
Brightness control: Auto/Manual (5 steps between -2 and +2)
Field coverage: 100%
Adjustable angle: Tilt angle: Downward 180 degrees. Rotation angle: Leftward 270 degrees from the position in which the LCD monitor is facing forward.
Display Selector (finder/LCD): Auto/Manual
Display: Histogram Display, Graphic Display, Digital Level Gauge, Shooting Data Display, Simple Display, Shooting Information For Viewfinder, Grid Line.
Real-time image adjustment display: Exposure Comp, White Balance, Creative Style
External flash: Sony System Flash compatible with Auto-lock accessory shoe
Wireless control: Yes (wireless flash with lighting ratio control)
Drive:
Drive modes: Single Shot, Continuous (Hi/Lo), Self-timer (10/2 sec. delay), Bracketing (Cont., Single, White Balance), Remote Control (with optional RM-DSLR1)
Continuous shooting speed: Hi: Maximum 8 frames per second, Lo: Maximum 3 frames per second; Tele-zoom Continuous Advance Priority AE: Maximum 12 images per second; Continuous Advance Priority AE: Maximum 10 images per second
Modes: Single (with or without shooting information), RGB histogram and highlight/shadow warning, 4/9-frame index view, Enlarged display mode (L: 13.6x, M: 9.9x, S: 6.8x), Auto Review (10/5/2 sec, Off), Image orientation (On/Off), Slideshow, Panorama scrolling, Folder selection (still), Forward/Rewind (movie), Delete, Protect
Other features:
Auto Portrait Framing, Face Detection (up to 8 faces detectable automatically), Face Registration, Face Selection, Smile Shutter (selectable from 3 steps), In-Camera Guide, Custom Function
Interface:
PC interface: Hi-speed USB (USB 2.0): Mass-storage, MTP
HD output: HDMI mini connector (Type-C), BRAVIA Sync (link menu), PhotoTV HD
Others: Sync. Terminal, Auto-lock accessory shoe, Microphone jack, DC IN terminal, Remote terminal
Compatible OS (USB connection):
Windows XP 4 SP3, Windows Vista 5 SP2, Windows 7 SP1, Mac OS X (10.3-10.6)
Audio:
Microphone: Built-in stereo microphone or ECM-ALST1 / ECM-CG50 (sold separately)
Speaker: Built-in, monaural, volume settings in 8 steps
Print:
Compatible standards: Exif Print, Print Image Matching III, DPOF setting
Custom function:
Type: Custom key settings
Power:
Battery: Rechargeable battery pack NP-FM500H
Still images: Approx. 550 shots with viewfinder and 590 shots with LCD monitor (CIPA standard)
Movies: Approx. 180 min. with viewfinder and 180 min. with LCD monitor
External power: AC Adaptor AC-PW10AM (optional)
Weight:
With battery and Memory Stick PRO Duo: Approx. 618 g (1 lb 5.7 oz)
Body only: Approx. 539 g (1 lb 2.9 oz)
Dimensions (W x H x D) (excluding protrusions):
Approx. 132.1 x 97.5 x 80.7 mm (5 1/4 x 3 7/8 x 3 1/4 in.)
Body material:
High-grade plastic exterior
Operating temperature:
Range 0 degrees C to 40 degrees C (32 degrees F to 104 degrees F)
Sony DT 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Zoom Lens:
Lightweight Standard Zoom Lens
Smooth, Silent Auto Focus
Versatile, All-purpose Range
Filter Diameter: 55mm
SPECIFICATIONS:
Optics/Lens:
Aperture (Max.): f/3.5 - 5.6
Aperture (Min.): f/22 - 36
Filter Diameter: 55mm
Lens Groups-Elements: 8 elements, 7 groups
Minimum Focus Distance: 0.82 ft (0.25m)
Aspheric Elements: 2
Aperture Blade: 7 blades (Circular aperture)
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): APS-C 35mm eqv. 27mm to 82.5mm
