Sony will add a new model, the SLT-A57 to its Alpha family of cameras with Translucent Mirror Technology in April.

A natural successor to the popular SLT-A55, the new camera sports a 16.1 megapixel Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor and the latest BIONZ processing engine. It introduces a number of new functions, includingh a new Tele-zoom Continuous Advance Priority AE mode which gives a 1.4x magnification boost by cropping the centre of the image area to provide continuous shooting speeds of up to 12 frames/second (fps).
 
 

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Front view of the new SLT-A57 without a lens. (Source: Sony.)

  
At full resolution, the maximum frame rate in Continuous Advance Priority AE mode is 10 fps and for the normal Continuous shooting mode, the maximum speed is 8 fps. The buffer memory can accommodate 25 high-resolution JPEGs, 21 ARW.RAW files or 19 RAW+JPEG pairs. A new Clear Image Zoom function enables users to achieve up to 2x digital zooming through an interpolation process that compares each group of pixels with a database of patterns stored in the camera to ensure detail is preserved.
 
 

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Angled view of the SLT-A57 with the 8-55mm kit lens fitted, showing the top panel. (Source: Sony.)

  
Movie recording capabilities are significantly improved. The SLT-A57 can record Full HD resolution movies with frame rates of both 50p (progressive) for smooth, blur-free action and 25p for a cinematic look. The availability of the camera’s P/A/S/M shooting modes give users full control over movie making. A new Auto Portrait Framing function uses face detection technology and automatically trims parts of the scene to create well-balanced portraits. Sony’s proprietary ‘By Pixel Super Resolution Technology’ ensures cropped images maintain high resolution.
 
The new camera features an upgraded 1440k dot EVF that provides 100 percent field of view, along with -4.0 to +3.0 dioptre adjustment. Other professional features include Shot Result Preview and shading and aberration compensation to minimise lateral chromatic aberrations and lens distortion. Users can choose from a selection of high-resolution information displays with a wide viewing-angle; among them a digital level gauge and framing grid. The same information can be displayed in the Tru-Finder and on the angle-adjustable 7.5 cm (3.0-type) Xtra Fine LCD.
 
 

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Rear view of the SLT-A57 showing the adjustable LCD monitor. (Source: Sony.)

 
The SLT-A57 also supports a sensitivity range of ISO 100 to ISO 16,000. SteadyShot INSIDE image stabilisation delivers a shutter speed advantage of be6tween 2.5 and 4.5 f-stops, depending on the type of lens used. Two automatic shooting modes are available to novice users.  The Intelligent Auto mode automatically distinguishes shooting conditions and sets camera controls according to an in-camera database of scene pre-sets to deliver optimal results. Superior Auto mode goes a step further, automatically activating advanced functions such as Continuous Shooting, Auto HDR, or Handheld Twilight based on the scene and subject. Indicators tell the user what functions are being used, helping beginners learn what functions and settings are appropriate for different types of scenes.
 
 The SLT-57 will be available from Sony Centre stores, Alpha Specialist Dealers and authorised outlets from April 2012 from US$700, AUD$899 (body only). Bundled with the 18-55mm kit zoom lens, the SLT-A57K kit is expected to sell for approximately US$800 or €850. Full details of the new camera and accessories can be found at www.sony.com.
 
 Technical specifications: 

Key Features

SLT-A57

Type

Interchangeable lens digital camera with built-in flash

Lens Compatibility

Sony A-mount lenses. Operation also confirmed with Minolta and Konica Minolta AF lenses

Image Sensor

APS-C type (23.5 x15.6 mm), Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor with RGB primary colour filters

Processor

BIONZâ„¢ image processor

ISO Sensitivity Range

AUTO (ISO 100 ““ 3200), ISO 100 ““ 16000 selectable, Multi Frame NR (extendable up to ISO 25600)

Image Quality Modes

RAW, RAW&JPEG, JPEG Fine, JPEG Standard

HDMI Connector and BRAVIA Sync

HDMI mini connector (Type-C), BRAVIA Sync (link menu), PhotoTV HD

Image Size: 3:2 (pixels)

L: 4912 x 3264 (16M)

M: 3568 x 2368 (8.4M)

S: 2448 x 1624 (4.0M)

HD movie record

Recording format: AVCHD 2.0 / MP4

Video compression: MPEG-4 AVC (H.264)

Image size (pixels) (PAL): AVCHD: 1980×1080 (50p / 28M / PS, 50i / 24M / FX, 50i / 17M/FH, 25p / 24M / FX, 25p / 17M / FH), MP4: 1440×1080 (25fps / 12M), VGA: 640×480 (25fps / 3M)

Electronic Viewfinder

SVGA 1.2 cm (0.46 type) electronic viewfinder (colour), Xtra Fine (1,440,000 dots effective resolution (when viewfinder magnification is set to maximum setting), with 100% frame coverage, five display modes and grid line display modes.

LCD

7.5 cm (3.0-type) wide type Xtra Fine LCD with 921k dot resolution; Tilt angle: downward 180 degrees. Rotation angle: leftward 270 degrees from position in which LCD is facing forward.

Other features

Face Detection, Auto Portrait Framing, Smile Shutter, Shooting Tips, Help Guide

Clear Image Zoom

Yes

Digital zoom

Smart Zoom, Digital Zoom

SteadyShotâ„¢ INSIDE

YES

Anti-dust System

Charge protection coating on low-pass filter and image-sensor shift mechanism

Focus Modes

AF/MF selectable.

AF modes: Single-shot AF, Automatic AF, Continuous AF

Autofocus System

TTL 15-point phase detection AF system with 3 cross sensors

Exposure Modes

iAUTO, Flash Off, Superior Auto, Scene Selection, Sweep Panorama, 3D Sweep Panorama, Continuous Advance Priority AE, Movie, Programmed AE (P), Aperture priority (A), Shutter-speed priority (S), Manual (M)

Exposure Metering System

1200-zone evaluative metering

Exposure Metering Modes

Multi-segment, Centre-weighted, Spot

Scene Selection

Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports Action, Sunset, Night Portrait, Night View, Hand-held Twilight

Picture Effect

11 modes (15 effects): Posterization (Colour, B/W), Pop Colour, Retro Photo, Partial Colour (R,G,B,Y), High Contrast Monochrome, Toy Camera, Soft High-key, Soft Focus, HDR Painting, Rich-tone Monochrome, Miniature

Creative Style Settings

Standard, Vivid, Portrait , Landscape, Sunset, Black & White

[Contrast (-3 to +3steps), Saturation (-3 to +3steps), Sharpness (-3 to +3steps)]

Sweep Panorama

YES (2D and 3D)

Auto HDR

YES (available in P/A/S/M modes)

Shutter Speed (stills)

1/4000-30sec, Bulb

Exposure Bracketing

1/3EV, 2/3EV increments, 3 frames

White Balance Settings

Auto WB, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent (Warm white/Cool White/Day white/Daylight), Flash, C. Temp 2500 to 9900K, C Filter G7 to M7, 15-step, Custom, AWB micro adjustment

Continuous Advance Shooting

Tele-zoom Continuous Advance Priority AE: Maximum 12 images per second

Continuous Advance Priority AE: Maximum 10 images per second

Continuous shooting: Hi: Maximum 8 frames per second / Lo: Maximum 3 frames per second

Tele-zoom Continuous Advance Priority AE mode: Fine: 23 images, Standard: 25 images

Continuous Advance Priority AE mode: Fine: 23 images, Standard: 27 images, RAW & JPEG: 18 images, RAW: 21 images

Continuous shooting: Fine: 25 images, Standard: 29 images, RAW & JPEG: 19 images, RAW: 21 images

Approx. no. of Shots

Approx. 550 shots with Tru-Finder, approx. 590 shots with LCD monitor (CIPA standard)

Built-in Flash

Auto pop-up, GN10 (in metres at ISO 100), FOV coverage up to 18mm

Flash Modes

Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction (on/off selectable), Wireless*, Hi-Speed Sync.*

* With external Flash HVL-F58AM, HVL-F56AM, HVL-F43AM, HVL-F42AM, HVL-F36AM

Flash control (ADI flash/ Pre-flash TTL)

Media

Memory Stick PRO Duo / Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo; SD / SDHC / SDXC memory card

Dimensions (WxHxD)

Approx. 132.1 mm x 97.5 mm x 80.7 mm

Weight

Approx. 539g (body only)

Approx. 618g (with battery and Memory Stick PRO Duo)