Sony a57 vs Nikon Z6

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a57 and Nikon Z6. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a57 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon Z6 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony a57 were released 2012 and Nikon Z6 was released 2018. That is a 6 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a57 2012
Nikon Z6 2018

Type of camera

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a57 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Nikon Z6 has a "Nikon FX"-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
Nikon Z6 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier

** 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 (Nikon)

Resolution

Sony a57 has a 16 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon Z6 has 25 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
Nikon Z6 25 MP
24337152 pixels
6048 x 4024

Nikon Z6 has a 52 % 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

Nikon Z6 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a57. Nikon Z6 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Sony a57 has 100 to 16000.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a57 100-16000
Nikon Z6 100-51200

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 Sony a57
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon Z6

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 Nikon Z6 can shoot up to 12 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a57 12
Nikon Z6 12

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Sony a57 and Nikon Z6 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.

Nikon Z6 weighs 675 gr (equal to 1.49 lb) which is 9% heavier than Sony a57 and its 618 gr (or 1.36 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a57 618 gr
1.36 lb
Nikon Z6 675 gr
1.49 lb

Sony a57 vs Nikon Z6 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a57 and Nikon Z6, 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
Nikon Z6
Name Sony a57 Nikon Z6
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a57
Nikon Z6
Release Year 2012 2018
Release Date 2012-03-13 2018-08-23
MSRP 699 USD 1995 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a57
Nikon Z6
Camera Type SLT Mirrorless
Sensor
Sony a57
Nikon Z6
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Sensor Type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Resolution 4912 x 3264 pixels 6048 x 4024 pixels
Megapixels 16 MP 25 MP
Image Processor Bionz EXPEED 6
Image
Sony a57
Nikon Z6
ISO Range 100 - 16000 100 - 51200
White Balance Presets 9 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
Yes
(Sensor-Shift (5 axis))
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 5 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a57
Nikon Z6
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
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 15 273
Lens Mount Sony A

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon Z

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
FX (Full frame)
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Sony a57
Nikon Z6
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Tilting
Screen size 3” 3.2”
Screen dots 921000 2100000
Touch screen No Yes
Screen type Xtra Fine TFT drive with TruBlack technology TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 1.04× (0.69× 35mm equiv.) 0.8x
Viewfinder Resolution N/A 3690000
Photography features
Sony a57
Nikon Z6
Frames per second 12 fps 12 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 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 Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a57
Nikon Z6
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
AVCHD
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Sony a57
Nikon Z6
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
XQD
Connectivity
Sony a57
Nikon Z6
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Yes
Built-in (802.11ac + Bluetooth)
Remote Control Yes (Optional) Yes (via MC-DC2 or smartphone)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a57
Nikon Z6
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Rechargeable NP-FM500H battery & charger
EN-EL15b
Battery Life (CIPA) 550 shots 310 shots
Width 132 mm 134 mm
Height 98 mm 101 mm
Depth 81 mm 68 mm
Weight 618 gram 675 gram