Sony a57 vs Canon EOS M

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a57 and Canon EOS M. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a57 is manufacturered by Sony but Canon EOS M is from Canon. Both Sony and Canon are well known brands though.

These two camera models were both released 2012.

Camera Released
Sony a57 2012
Canon EOS M 2012

Type of camera

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a57 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Canon EOS M has a "Canon 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 **
Sony a57 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Canon EOS M 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6

** 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:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Sony)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Sony a57 has a 16 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS M has 18 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a57 16 MP
16032768 pixels
4912 x 3264
Canon EOS M 18 MP
17915904 pixels
5184 x 3456

Canon EOS M has a 12 % larger resolution than Sony a57. 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 Canon EOS M. Sony a57 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 16000 while Canon EOS M has 100 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a57 100-16000
Canon EOS M 100-12800

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.

Worth mentioning is that Canon EOS M belongs to the Canon EOS M-system and needs an adapter to work with Canons EF, EF-S, MP-E, and TS-E lenses. You can read more about this adapter here:
Canon Lens Mount Adapter EF-EOS M

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a57
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS M

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a57 can shoot up to 12 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS M can shoot up to 4,3 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a57 12
Canon EOS M 4,3

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Sony a57 and Canon EOS M 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 107% heavier than Canon EOS M and its 298 gr (or 0.66 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a57 618 gr
1.36 lb
Canon EOS M 298 gr
0.66 lb

Sony a57 vs Canon EOS M Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a57 and Canon EOS M, 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
Sony a57
Canon EOS M
Name Sony a57 Canon EOS M
Manufacturer Sony Canon
Release Date and Price
Sony a57
Canon EOS M
Release Year 2012 2012
Release Date 2012-03-13 2012-07-23
MSRP 699 USD 799 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a57
Canon EOS M
Camera Type SLT Mirrorless
Sensor
Sony a57
Canon EOS M
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4912 x 3264 pixels 5184 x 3456 pixels
Megapixels 16 MP 18 MP
Image Processor Bionz DIGIC 5
Image
Sony a57
Canon EOS M
ISO Range 100 - 16000 100 - 12800
White Balance Presets 9 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a57
Canon EOS M
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 15 31
Lens Mount Sony A

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF-M

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
1.6x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 38 mm
50 mm becomes 80 mm
100 mm becomes 160 mm
200 mm becomes 320 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Sony a57
Canon EOS M
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 921000 1040000
Touch screen No Yes
Screen type Xtra Fine TFT drive with TruBlack technology Clear View II TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic No Viewfinder
Viewfinder Coverage 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 1.04× (0.69× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A 0
Photography features
Sony a57
Canon EOS M
Frames per second 12 fps 4,3 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes No
Built-in Flash Range 10 meters N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Exposure Compensation +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a57
Canon EOS M
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
AVCHD
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Sony a57
Canon EOS M
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a57
Canon EOS M
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control Yes (Optional) No
GPS No Yes
Optional via GP-E2
Body & Dimensions
Sony a57
Canon EOS M
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Rechargeable NP-FM500H battery & charger
Lithium-Ion LP-E12 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 550 shots 230 shots
Width 132 mm 109 mm
Height 98 mm 66 mm
Depth 81 mm 32 mm
Weight 618 gram 298 gram