Sony A200 to A57/A58 Help

theraven

theraven

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Jenna
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Ok so I know this has cropped up a few times, but I really don't know what to do.

I have a Sony A200 and am looking to upgrade. It will be to Sony, there are no questions about that, but I have been looking at the A57, which has pretty much everything that I need.

So far the cheapest I have found it is Argos, as many people have stopped selling it now. It is on at £379.99 with the kit lens.

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5598397.htm

Which I think is great!

However, the A58 is £339.99 with the kit lens.

http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/s...al+SLR+cameras|33026565&r_001=7|Brands|Sony|1

Now that seems like a significant difference considering that the A58 is supposed to be one up from the A57?

Now I don't need 20mp, I only have 10 on my A200 so up to 16 is fine for me. That, honestly is the only thing I think that is better on the A58.

So what I'm asking is would I be better paying the extra for the A57? Or should I save my money and just get the A58?

All of your opinions matter here, I am asking people who have them too.

Thank you,

Jenna
 
beddows_s said:
Not really helping with your choice between the A57 and A58 but the Sony Outlet sometimes has good deals that might be worth holding out for. Problem is you have to check back regularly as the good deals sell out pretty fast.

https://outlet.sony.co.uk/shop/DSLR-&-SLT-Camera/SLT-A5/
Click to expand...

Wow! Thank you! :love: How did I not know about this haha!

It will be about a month until I buy so thank you, I will keep this bookmarked!
 
The A58 replaces both the A37 & A57 so is aimed kind of in the middle.
In terms of features the A57 generally wins but the A58 may well have slightly better IQ.
If you aren't buying for a month then you'll just have to see what price & availability are like then.
 
A57 has Minolta hot shoe but a58 has standard iso one. That's the other main difference. Not sure whether they come with adaptor. A99 does.
 
srichards said:
A57 has Minolta hot shoe but a58 has standard iso one. That's the other main difference. Not sure whether they come with adaptor. A99 does.
Click to expand...

Ah, thank you, I use Minolta flashes so that makes a difference! Cheers!

Does anyone on here use either of these? Opinions?
 
Personally I'd go with the A57 for several reasons:

1) The A57 body is a much better size than the little A58. Unless you really want a small body.

2) The flash hotshoe issue as above. If you already have a Minolta flash, you'll have to buy a new flash or get an adapter thingy on top.

3) The LCD on the back of the A58 is not as high res as the A57

4) The bit which attaches to the lens on the A58 is plastic, not metal. I don't know about you but I'd want a metal one to hold my lenses.
 
I have an A37 and an A57 (both from Sony Outlet). Both bought before the A58 came out but if I was choosing between the A58 and A57 I would get the A57.

Lots of useful (for me) features that the A58 does not have like horizon level, remote socket, old hotshoe (I have an older Sony flash and a Jessops flash), faster fps and bigger buffer and much better screen.

Advantages of the A58 are a better evf (but I think the A57 one is fine), longer battery life and the newer 20mp sensor.

Either will be a big upgrade over your A200 but the A58 is more of a replacement for the A37 than the A57 and Sony cut a few corners to keep the cost down. That said, the A58 is a lot of camera for the money and gets good reviews - I would happily swap my A37 for one but not my A57. :)

Reviews of A58 here:
http://itsnotthecamera.wordpress.com/2013/07/09/my-sony-slt-a-58-review-part-i/
http://itsnotthecamera.wordpress.com/2013/07/10/my-own-little-a58-review-part-ii/
http://visualsciencelab.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/my-new-camera-is-pretty-damn-good-not.html
http://www.photoclubalpha.com/2013/06/05/2020-vision-sony-alpha-58-review/

Depends what your priorities are really...
 
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Thank you guys, I really am leaning more towards the A57 for a few reasons, especially the hotshoe, screen and metal lens ring.

I just can't believe for these few things that the price is so damn different! :/

I would like to try one, but other than Argos I can't find them anywhere locally. There are A58's in PC World etc, I may pop and have a play at the weekend, but no A57's.
 
Sorry Applemint, you are right. I got confused with the A37 for the size.

To me, the screen on the A58 would be the killer for me. There's nothing worse than taking a gorgeous photo then having to view it on a low res screen.
 
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