Sony a7CR vs Sony a57

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a7CR and Sony a57. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Sony.

Sony a7CR were released 2023 and Sony a57 was released 2012. That is a 11 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a7CR 2023
Sony a57 2012

Type of camera

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a7CR has a "Sony Full Frame"-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 **
Sony a7CR 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
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:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Sony)

Resolution

Sony a7CR has a 60 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
Sony a7CR 60 MP
60217344 pixels
9504 x 6336
Sony a57 16 MP
16032768 pixels
4912 x 3264

Sony a7CR has a 276 % 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 a7CR has a larger ISO-range than Sony a57. Sony a7CR has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 32000 while Sony a57 has 100 to 16000.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a7CR 100-32000
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 Sony a7CR
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. Sony a7CR can shoot up to 8 pictures per seconds and Sony a57 can shoot up to 12 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a7CR 8
Sony a57 12

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Sony a7CR 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 20% heavier than Sony a7CR and its 515 gr (or 1.14 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a7CR 515 gr
1.14 lb
Sony a57 618 gr
1.36 lb

Sony a7CR vs Sony a57 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a7CR 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
Sony a7CR
Sony a57
Name Sony a7CR Sony a57
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Release Date and Price
Sony a7CR
Sony a57
Release Year 2023 2012
Release Date 2023-08-29 2012-03-13
MSRP 2999 USD 699 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a7CR
Sony a57
Camera Type Mirrorless SLT
Sensor
Sony a7CR
Sony a57
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm)
Sensor Type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Resolution 9504 x 6336 pixels 4912 x 3264 pixels
Megapixels 60 MP 16 MP
Image Processor BIONZ XR Bionz
Image
Sony a7CR
Sony a57
ISO Range 100 - 32000 100 - 16000
White Balance Presets 9 9
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 7 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a7CR
Sony a57
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 693 15
Lens Mount Sony E

See Compatible Lenses
Sony A

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier 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
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
Sony a7CR
Sony a57
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Fully articulated
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 1030000 921000
Touch screen Yes No
Screen type TFT LCD Xtra Fine TFT drive with TruBlack technology
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.7x 1.04× (0.69× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution 2359296 N/A
Photography features
Sony a7CR
Sony a57
Frames per second 8 fps 12 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash No Yes
Built-in Flash Range N/A 10 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Average
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a7CR
Sony a57
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
H.265
XAVC-HS
MPEG4
H.264
AVCHD
Video resolution 1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Sony a7CR
Sony a57
Memory Card SD/SDHC
Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a7CR
Sony a57
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes No
Headphone Port Yes No
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11ac 2x2 MIMO + Bluetooth 5.0)
Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control Yes (via smartphone) Yes (Optional)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a7CR
Sony a57
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details NP-FZ100 lithium-ion battery & charger
Rechargeable NP-FM500H battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 520 shots 550 shots
Width 124 mm 132 mm
Height 71 mm 98 mm
Depth 63 mm 81 mm
Weight 515 gram 618 gram