Sony FX30 vs Sony a57

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony FX30 and Sony a57. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Sony.

Sony FX30 were released 2022 and Sony a57 was released 2012. That is a 10 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony FX30 2022
Sony a57 2012

Type of camera

Sensors / crop factor

Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Sony APS-C") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Neither of the cameras has a Full frame sensor which means that you will get a "crop factor" where the camera's sensor size affect the focal length with a multiplier.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Sony FX30 75 mm
Sony APS-C 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:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Sony)

Resolution

Sony FX30 has a 26 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 FX30 26 MP
25560576 pixels
6192 x 4128
Sony a57 16 MP
16032768 pixels
4912 x 3264

Sony FX30 has a 59 % 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 FX30 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a57. Sony FX30 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 32000 while Sony a57 has 100 to 16000.

Camera ISO Range
Sony FX30 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 FX30
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 FX30 can shoot up to 1 pictures per seconds and Sony a57 can shoot up to 12 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony FX30 1
Sony a57 12

Ability to record movies

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

It is only one of these two cameras that support recording movies and movie clips and that is Sony a57. Sadly, the Sony FX30 does not support this.

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 FX30 weighs 646 gr (equal to 1.42 lb) which is 5% heavier than Sony a57 and its 618 gr (or 1.36 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony FX30 646 gr
1.42 lb
Sony a57 618 gr
1.36 lb

Sony FX30 vs Sony a57 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony FX30 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 FX30
Sony a57
Name Sony FX30 Sony a57
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Release Date and Price
Sony FX30
Sony a57
Release Year 2022 2012
Release Date 2022-09-28 2012-03-13
MSRP 1799 USD 699 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony FX30
Sony a57
Camera Type Mirrorless SLT
Sensor
Sony FX30
Sony a57
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm)
Sensor Type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Resolution 6192 x 4128 pixels 4912 x 3264 pixels
Megapixels 26 MP 16 MP
Image Processor BIONZ XR Bionz
Image
Sony FX30
Sony a57
ISO Range 100 - 32000 100 - 16000
White Balance Presets 8 9
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift (5-axis))
Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 5.5 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony FX30
Sony a57
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus 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 759 15
Lens Mount Sony E

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
Sony FX30
Sony a57
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Fully articulated
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots N/A 921000
Touch screen Yes No
Screen type N/A 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 0 N/A
Photography features
Sony FX30
Sony a57
Frames per second 1 fps 12 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 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 No No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Partial
Average
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation N/A +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony FX30
Sony a57
Video recording No Yes
Video format N/A MPEG4
H.264
AVCHD
Video resolution N/A 1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Sony FX30
Sony a57
Memory Card Compact Flash Express
SD/SDHC
Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony FX30
Sony a57
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes No
Headphone Port Yes No
Wireless Yes
Built-in (IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac)
Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control Supported (no further information) Yes (Optional)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony FX30
Sony a57
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details NP-FZ100
Rechargeable NP-FM500H battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 570 shots 550 shots
Width 78 mm 132 mm
Height 130 mm 98 mm
Depth 85 mm 81 mm
Weight 646 gram 618 gram