Sony A57 professional DSLR snapper for the masses

The Gadget Show  Tuesday 13 March 2012

Everyone loves to take great photos, but sometimes no matter how good a photographer you are, you still need a good camera. Sony’s new A57 digital SLR camera looks to solve that problem, by using the same kind of 16.1 megapixel Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor on a mid-entry camera, that you’ll find on some of Sony’s more high-end snappers. Starting out in photography? Read on.

The Sony A57 camera is all about putting expert photo tech into the hands of beginners. With the Sony A57, you’ve got pro-level performance in a camera that anyone branching into DSLR territory can get to grips with.



Best digital camera for under £200

To deliver professional-level photography and filming the Sony A57 camera comes with 12 frames per second shooting and full high definition video capture. A 2X Clear Image Zoom and the 16.1 megapixel Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor we mentioned earlier is the same type you’ll find on Sony’s more expensive cameras such as the Sony Alpha A65.

It’s Sony’s way of taking on the masses of DSLR cameras hitting the shops, as plain digital compact cameras are now engaged in their own battle with smartphones for photo dominance. Nokia recently launched the Nokia 808 PureView, a phone with a 41-megapixel camera capable of taking photos better than most compacts. But for the best photo quality, DSLR cameras are still the way to go.

The Sony A57 DSLR camera launches today with an interchangeable lens for $800 (£511), or without the lens for $700 (£447). We’ve yet to see it on sale for ourselves just yet, so do keep an eye out for the best price.


Noka 808 PureView 41-megapixel camera phone: all you need to know