Fujifilm X-M1 vs Sony a57

This is a full comparison between the cameras Fujifilm X-M1 and Sony a57. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Fujifilm X-M1 is manufacturered by Fujifilm but Sony a57 is from Sony. Both Fujifilm and Sony are well known brands though.

Fujifilm X-M1 were released 2013 and Sony a57 was released 2012. That is a 1 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Fujifilm X-M1 2013
Sony a57 2012

Type of camera

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Fujifilm X-M1 has a "Fujifilm APS-C"-sensor while Sony a57 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Fujifilm X-M1 75 mm
Fujifilm sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Sony a57 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:

Resolution

Fujifilm X-M1 has a 16 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Sony a57 has 16 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Fujifilm X-M1 16 MP
15980544 pixels
4896 x 3264
Sony a57 16 MP
16032768 pixels
4912 x 3264

Sony a57 has a 0 % larger resolution than Fujifilm X-M1. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Sony a57 has a larger ISO-range than Fujifilm X-M1. Sony a57 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 16000 while Fujifilm X-M1 has 200 to 6400.

Camera ISO Range
Fujifilm X-M1 200-6400
Sony a57 100-16000

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Fujifilm X-M1
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a57

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Fujifilm X-M1 can shoot up to 5,6 pictures per seconds and Sony a57 can shoot up to 12 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Fujifilm X-M1 5,6
Sony a57 12

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

In this case, both Fujifilm X-M1 and Sony a57 can shoot movies.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Sony a57 weighs 618 gr (equal to 1.36 lb) which is 87% heavier than Fujifilm X-M1 and its 330 gr (or 0.73 lb).

Camera Weight
Fujifilm X-M1 330 gr
0.73 lb
Sony a57 618 gr
1.36 lb

Fujifilm X-M1 vs Sony a57 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Fujifilm X-M1 and Sony a57, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Fujifilm X-M1
Sony a57
Name Fujifilm X-M1 Sony a57
Manufacturer Fujifilm Sony
Release Date and Price
Fujifilm X-M1
Sony a57
Release Year 2013 2012
Release Date 2013-06-25 2012-03-13
MSRP 699 USD 699 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Fujifilm X-M1
Sony a57
Camera Type Mirrorless SLT
Sensor
Fujifilm X-M1
Sony a57
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4896 x 3264 pixels 4912 x 3264 pixels
Megapixels 16 MP 16 MP
Image Processor EXR Processor II Bionz
Image
Fujifilm X-M1
Sony a57
ISO Range 200 - 6400 100 - 16000
White Balance Presets 7 9
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Fujifilm X-M1
Sony a57
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Multi Area
Center
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 49 15
Lens Mount Fujifilm X

See Compatible Lenses
Sony A

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-C Sensor (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
APS-C Sensor (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Fujifilm X-M1
Sony a57
Articulated LCD Tilting Fully articulated
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 920000 921000
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT LCD Xtra Fine TFT drive with TruBlack technology
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type No Viewfinder Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 1.04× (0.69× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Fujifilm X-M1
Sony a57
Frames per second 5,6 fps 12 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range 7 meters 10 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No No
Metering modes Multi
Spot
Average
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Fujifilm X-M1
Sony a57
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format H.264
MPEG4
H.264
AVCHD
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Fujifilm X-M1
Sony a57
Memory Card SD/SDHC
Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Fujifilm X-M1
Sony a57
HDMI Output No Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Built-in (Geotagging setup, Image transfer (Individual image / Selected multiple images), View & Obt
Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control Optional through RR-90 (sold separately)
Yes (Optional)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Fujifilm X-M1
Sony a57
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details NP-W126 battery and BC-W126 charger
Rechargeable NP-FM500H battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 350 shots 550 shots
Width 117 mm 132 mm
Height 67 mm 98 mm
Depth 39 mm 81 mm
Weight 330 gram 618 gram