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 |