Performance
Sample
photos
DRO
Off | 1/250 sec | f/8.0 | 18.0 mm | ISO 100
DRO
Auto | 1/250 sec | f/8.0 | 18.0 mm | ISO 100
HDR
Auto | 1/250 sec | f/8.0 | 18.0 mm | ISO 100
Daffodil
| 1/500 sec | f/9.0 | 35.0 mm | ISO 100
Thoresby
Hall | 1/250 sec | f/8.0 | 24.0 mm | ISO 100
Night
Sheffield | 1/40 sec | f/3.5 | 18.0 mm | ISO 3200
Color and detail are good with the camera
producing images with rich saturated colors. Flash performance is good with no
red-eye visible in portrait photos taken with flash.
Lens
test images
Wide
| 1/400 sec | f/8.0 | 18.0 mm | ISO 100
Zoom
| 1/250 sec | f/9.0 | 55.0 mm | ISO 100
Trees
| 1/125 sec | f/5.6 | 18.0 mm | ISO 100
Macro
| 1/50 sec | f/5.6 | 55.0 mm | ISO 200
18-55mm SAM II shows strong distortion at
18mm, can be corrected in camera, using the built-in editing compensation in
the camera, with correct shading option (illustrated), chromatic aberrations
and distortions. Dynamic range is good at reliable exposure, and has the option
to increase the activity with DRO (Dynamic Range Optimization) or HDR shooting,
which automatically combine multiple photos at different exposures. A little
purple fringing can be seen when chromatic aberration correction is switched off,
although it is generally not a problem in the picture. Quite resistant flare
lens, and the good details, even in the picture angle, although image can quite
benefit from sharpening.
ISO
test images
ISO
low at ISO 100, ISO200 and ISO400
ISO is low at ISO 100, ISO200 and ISO400,
with a bit of noise visible at ISO 800. At ISO1600 can see a slight decrease in
image detail, though still low noise. This noise increases further at ISO3200
and details drop again. ISO6400 shows more noise and loss of detail, but the
results can be used. Due to strong noise and reduction detail ISO12800 and
ISO16000 are best to avoid, unless resized image.
White-balance
test images
AWB
Tungsten
AWB
Fluorescent
Auto White Balance (AWB) performed well
with the warm results, and preset before tungsten light for more accurate
results. AWB perform well under fluorescent light, with preset fluorescent
lights for cooler results. Each white balance settings available that can be
customized, or select, you can use the manual white balance to get the mode
accurate results.
Panorama
mode
Panoramic
| 1/200 sec | f/9.0 | 18.0 mm | ISO 100
Panorama mode allows you to pan the camera
when you hold the shutter release button, and automatic stitches images
together, giving good results.
Digital
filters
The
camera offers a wide range of picture effects
The camera offers a wide range of picture
effects and innovative style, the image effect is shown above. Creative Style
settings allow you setup and customize contrast, saturation and sharpness. The
camera has 8 scene modes, include a handheld twilight mode, take multiple
images and combine them to get better pictures.
Video
The camera records Full HD video, with
continuous autofocus while shooting. Reduced wind noise and optical
stabilization shot is available, as well as many compression options, including
AVCHD, MP4, 50i, 25p. ISO can be set to a maximum ISO3200 when recording.
Beside a microphone jack for improved audio recording.
Value
Sony Alpha A58 is for $ 664 with 18-55mm
SAM II kit lens, making it very worth, is valued as a Digital SLR for new
users, with alternatives including Pentax K-30 (16MP, cover weather-resistant,
6fps), Nikon D3200 (24mp, 4fps), Canon EOS 600D (18MP, tilting screen, 3.7fps),
and the other option worth considering if you are interested in smaller systems
such as Panasonic Lumix G5 (16MP, tilting touch screen, 6fps) and Samsung NX20
(20mp, tilting screen, Wi-Fi, 8fps)
You will also need to buy a memory card and
a case or bag to keep your camera safe and protected - just based on our
complete guide to buy camera bags.
Verdict
The screen on the A57 is a very nice 3-inch
screen with 921k dots, so embarrassing to see a smaller screen, lower
resolution than the A58. However, the introductory price is lower, only $ 665 with
18-55mm lens, A58 seems to be the replacement for the A37 rather than the A57,
for those looking for a camera more advanced should consider Sony Alpha A65.
For those looking for a Digital SLR with
high resolution sensor, continuous shooting speed is good, the price for new
users, this is probably one of the better form, with quick autofocus and
continuous shooting at 5fps, at a maximum 20 megapixels resolution. Battery
life is also impressive, providing up to 700 photos with battery indicator
helps you to be informed exactly how much energy is left.
Sony Alpha A58 is not the smallest or
lightest Digital SLR, with the A37, D3200 (only), 100D, and K-30 smaller, however
it really is a medium-sized hand grip and feels small and light enough for
anyone looking for a compact pocket and reasonable SLR. If you want a smaller
model, the small size of the camera and mirrorless lens will make Lumix
Panasonic G5 or newer G6 becomes more compact package.
Despite increased in resolution than the
Sony Alpha A37, noise is well controlled with good results even at ISO3200 and
even ISO6400. Rather than see it as a downgrade of the A57, A58 is an upgrade
of the A37, and offers improved image detail and excellent value. If you shoot
with a Sony lens, and want to upgrade your camera body to have better image
quality, then the Sony Alpha A58 is highly recommended product.
Pros
·
Good image quality
·
Bright saturated colors
·
Focus peaking for manual focus
·
Good battery life
·
5fps continuous shooting
·
Good value for money
·
Includes wide-strap
·
Microphone jack
·
Excellent value for money
Cons
·
Plastic lens mount should not affect
reliability; however, the appearance does put people off the camera
·
Strong barrel distortion at wide-angle
·
Low contrast 2.7inch screen
·
8fps continuous shooting at 5mp
·
1 year warranty
Specifications
Lens
·
Effective Magnification: 1.5x
Image Sensor
·
CCD pixels: 20.1Mp (Megapixels)
·
Pixels (W): 5456
·
Pixels (H): 3632
·
Sensor Type: Exmor CMOS
·
Sensor Size: APS-C
·
Sensor Size (width): 23.5mm
·
Sensor Size (height): 15.6mm
·
Aspect Ratio: 3:2; 16:9
LCD Monitor
·
LCD Monitor: 2.7in
·
Screen resolution: 460k
·
Touch Screen: no
Focusing
·
Focusing mode: Autofocus; Manual; Face Detection; Spot; AF Tracking;
Multi; Centre
Exposure Control
·
Shutter speeds shortest: 1/4000sec
·
Shutter speeds longest: 30sec
·
Exp modes: Program; Aperture-Priority;
Shutter-Priority; Manual; Scene modes
·
Metering: Multi Pattern; Spot; Centre-weighted - Average
·
ISO sensitivity: 100 - 16000
·
White balance: Auto; Manual; Bracket;
Outdoors/Daylight; Cloudy; Incandescent; Fluorescent; Shade; Flash
·
Exposure Comp: +/-3
Shooting Options
·
Continuous shooting: 8fps
Video
·
Movie mode: yes
·
Video Resolution: 1,920x1,080; 640x480
VGA
·
Video FPS: 50p, 50i, 25p
·
Stereo Sound: yes
·
Optical Zoom with Video: yes
Other Features
·
Image Stabilization: yes
Interface
·
HDMI: yes
·
USB: USB 2
Storage
·
Card Type: MS; SD; SDHC; SDXC
·
File Type: RAW; JPG; RAW + JPG
Power Source
·
Battery Type: Info lithium NP-FM500H
·
CIPA Rating: 690
Box Contents
·
Box Contents: Lens cap, Micro USB
cable, body cap, SAL-18552, rechargeable battery, Eyepiece cup, battery charger, shoulder strap, power cable.
Dimensions
·
Weight: 492g
·
Width: 128.6mm
·
Height: 95.5mm
·
Depth: 77.7mm
|
