- Conclusion Get the lowdown
- Features How they compare
- Performance Real world benchmarks
- Differences Technical showdown
- Reviews Word on the street
- Competition Others to consider
- Discussion Answers and opinions
Compare with...
- Sony SLT-A99
- Nikon D7000
- Nikon D5100
- Pentax K-30
- Nikon D5200
Rated 90% by by Photography Blog (Nov, 2011)The Sony A65 can shoot full-resolution 24.3 megapixel pictures at up to 10fps whilst maintaining continuous auto focus and auto exposure, an impressively fast rate for such an inexpensive camera.
Rated 100% by by Ong-Chi-Hang (Jan, 2013)The handheld twilight mode also enables great night pictures without using tripod.
Conclusion Which is better for you?
Features Key features of the Sony SLT A65 compared to the Sony SLT A57
MP24
APS-C
Rated 90% by by Photography Blog (Nov, 2011)The new 24.3 megapixel sensor offers greatly increased resolution without impacting on low-light performance or operational speed, while the OLED viewfinder is simply the best EVF that we've ever had the pleasure of using.
16 MP
APS-C
Rated 100% by by J.-Sullivan--J.-Sullivan (Jun, 2012)I would not expect breathtaking night shots (my Holy Grail, so far) from the 18-55 kit lens; however, I have had pleasing results using night scene mode which captures stars perfectly fine in the dark night sky.
megapixels
| 0 MP | 24 MP   | 30 MP |
SLT A65 by J.-Donaldson--Cal-diver (Apr, 2013)Not only is the image quality very good but I also find that photo processing algorithms work better on my computer with these high pixel count images.
SLT A57 by Photography Blog (Jun, 2012)The Sony A57 can shoot full-resolution 16.1 megapixel pictures at up to 12fps whilst maintaining continuous auto focus and auto exposure, an incredibly fast rate for such an inexpensive camera.
sensor size
SLT A65 by D.-F.-Watt--dfwattIf you are willing to trade some of the low light ability for 1) more compact lenses/body; 2) much less money than a full frame system; 3) the best video you've ever seen from a DSLR camera, then this system is for you . . . and is a very good deal.
SLT A57 by John (Feb, 2013)The a57's APS-C sensor has comparatively good sized individual sensors, which is just one small part of all of the tech working together in the a57 to result in great video and picture quality.
viewfinder size
SLT A65 by Eric-Tessmer--Honolulu-Hawaii (Mar, 2012)Unlike optical viewfinders, the size of an EVF doesn't have to be constrained by the size of the camera's sensor, which means it's possible to offer a finder much closer to the size photographers enjoyed when they shot film SLRs.
SLT A57 by P.-Chebib (May, 2012)Size, it feels just right and comfortable in my hands.2- Bright 3 inches pivoting screen, that you can actually fold back when not using, thus protecting the screen.3- The EVF is excellent, bright and captures all the details.
body size
132 x 97 x 81 mm
132 x 98 x 81 mm
SLT A65 by J.-Donaldson--Cal-diver (Apr, 2013)The truth is the three lenses I have add so much weight that the overall weight difference with the new body isn't really that much.
focus points
| 0 | 15 | 20 |
SLT A65 by jstover33 (Nov, 2011)Yeah, I guess it has a couple more focus points, but in real world I don't think that matters.
SLT A57 by Photography Blog (Jun, 2012)As with Live View, continuous phase-detection AF is possible whilst shooting movies on the A57, a distinct advantage over most DSLR cameras and fast enough to rival Compact System Cameras like the Panasonic Lumix GH series.
Performance Real world tests of Sony SLT A65 vs Sony SLT A57
DxOMark image quality
SLT A57 by David-Melges--O-toole-fanatic (Apr, 2013)Color, sharpness, noise control.....the a57 has EXCELLENT image quality.
DxOMark low light performance
SLT A65 by D.-F.-Watt--dfwattSony made a clear decision to trade low light ability for speed, resolution and detail in better light.
SLT A57 by R.-Houser (May, 2013)This camera makes great photos, is much better in low light than my alpha 100 and has tons of features that I haven't yet explored.
continuous shooting
SLT A65 by J.Xu (Apr, 2012)It is the only camera on the market with 24mp and 10fps burst mode for under a grand.
battery life
560 photos
550 photos
SLT A65 by Eddison-O-Neal-Fowler (Dec, 2012)The battery life is better than I expected for a 24 mp camera with so many qualities.
Differences What are the advantages of each
Advantages compared to the A57
| Much higher resolution | 24 MP | vs | 16 MP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Around 50% higher resolution; Capture more detail, good for large prints | |||
| Includes a GPS | Yes | vs | No |
| Somewhat common; Records the location of your photos automatically | |||
Advantages compared to the A65
| Faster rapid fire | 12 fps | vs | 10 fps |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20% faster continuous shooting; Take photos in rapid succession to capture motion | |||
| More highly reviewed by consumers | 92.19% | vs | 88.04% |
| Almost the same | |||
| Marginally more recently announced | Mar, 2012 | vs | Aug, 2011 |
| Announced date 6 months later | |||
| Better dynamic range | 13.0 ev | vs | 12.6 ev |
| Almost the same | |||
| Slightly less noise at high ISO | 785 ISO | vs | 717 ISO |
| Around 10% higher low light performance | |||
Reviews Word on the street
Sony SLT A65 | Sony SLT A57 | ||
 |  
|
| |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Rated by 71 users at amazon.com Rated 100% by by Alex-Parker (Nov, 2011) Rated 80% by by S.-Vogt (Apr, 2012)  Rated 100% by by Greg-R. (Jun, 2012) | Rated by 87 users at amazon.com Rated 100% by by Ray--A-Reader (Dec, 2012) Rated 100% by by Beka (Oct, 2012) | |
viewfinder
Sony SLT A65 | Rated 100% by by Eric-Tessmer--Honolulu-Hawaii (Mar, 2012)The A65's EVF is close enough to the quality of a high-end optical viewfinder that it has advantages (the ability to preview exposure and white balance, or to gain-up for working in low light).
Sony SLT A65 | Rated 100% by by D.-F.-Watt--dfwattStill think that for most people the EVF, great movie ability and support, superb 16-50 2.8 lens option (really a G- or Zeiss quality lens for just over kit lens money), great resolution, etc. of the Sony A65 outweighs its one big deficit of high ISO noise, but if you disagree with that, by all means, get a K-30.
Sony SLT A65 | Rated 90% by by Photography Blog (Nov, 2011)This combination means that the A65 can offer full-time DSLR-like focusing speeds, even during video recording, plus an excellent Live View system with 100% scene coverage and an amazingly fast continuous shooting rate of 10fps, whilst being physically smaller and lighter than a comparable DSLR.
type
Sony SLT A65 | Rated 100% by by Eric-Tessmer--Honolulu-Hawaii (Mar, 2012)Low refresh rates were often a bugaboo of early EVFs, but the problem seems pretty completely banished with the combination of the Sony A65's sensor, fast processor, and OLED EVF technology.
Sony SLT A65 | Rated 100% by by AG--SoonersI don't think this is a design flaw with the A65, just some bad decisions in the firmware because the LCD screen is plenty bright before recording video.
Sony SLT A65 | Rated 90% by by Photography Blog (Nov, 2011)That's simply not the case with the A65 - the OLED electronic viewfinder on the A65 is even better than the A55's already excellent EVF, and far better than any previous system that we've used.
screen
Sony SLT A65 | Rated 90% by by Photography Blog (Nov, 2011)At the rear of the A65 we find the free-angle 3-inch LCD screen, which has an impressively high resolution of 921,600-dots, 16:9 wideangle ratio and can be adjusted for brightness.
Sony SLT A65 | Rated 90% by by Photography Blog (Nov, 2011)The A65 also has a clever eye level sensor that switches off the rear screen's info display as you bring your eye close to the excellent optical viewfinder, plus a facility that automatically flips the same display through 90° should you turn the camera on its side to shoot in portrait fashion.
Sony SLT A65 | Rated 100% by by Alex-Parker (Nov, 2011)The a65's swivel LCD is a nice little touch over the a55's traditional vertical flip-out.
video
Sony SLT A65 | Rated 90% by by Photography Blog (Nov, 2011)The A65 can record 1080p HD 1920 x 1280 pixel movies at either 50fps or 25fps (PAL), or 60fps and 24fps (NTSC) in the AVCHD format, or 1440 x 1080 pixels at 30fps/25fps in the MPEG-4 format, useful as this format can currently be shared more easily.
Sony SLT A65 | Rated 100% by by D.-F.-Watt--dfwattThe clincher is that the A65 takes good to great video and the A99 pretty average (at best) video.
Sony SLT A65 | Rated 100% by by DACHokie (Oct, 2012)The HD Video Quality: While other cameras I've owned had video capability none compare to the overall quality of the A65 ... it instantly replaces my Sony Camcorder.
resolution
Sony SLT A57 | Rated 100% by by My-Fake-Name (Jun, 2012)A step up from the A57 is the A65, which boasts 24 megapixels, which is 50% more and which is suitable for most professional use and all amateur use.
Sony SLT A57 | Rated 90% by by Photography Blog (Jun, 2012)The Sony A57 essentially offers the same excellent handling and features of the more expensive A65 model, but uses a more modest 16 megapixel sensor rather than the A65's 24 megapixels.
Sony SLT A57 | Rated 100% by by My-Fake-Name (Jun, 2012)*****The Sony A57 is a DSLR (digital single-lens reflex) with interchangeable lenses and a maximum density of 16.1 megapixels.
Competition What else you should consider
 | 1 | Sony SLT-A99 Largest sensor |
 | 2 | Nikon D7000 Fastest to start up |
 | 3 | Nikon D5100 8-way tie: Largest screen |
 | 5 | Nikon D5200 2-way tie: More phase-detection focus points |
 | 6 | Canon Rebel T4i Has a touch screen |
 | 7 | Canon PowerShot SX50 HS Fastest rapid fire mode |
 | 8 | Sony SLT A58 Sensor with the most color depth |
Popular Questions
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3
Answers April 27, 2012
I am going to use this camera for everything
Not really but I can't say I focus on one area. I was a photojournalist in the Navy and used to work for the Stars and Stripes Newspaper. I have done a lot of travel photography, but covered and ...
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Answers October 17, 2012
What is the best camera for me, for low light videos (w/ manual mode)
I'm going to study in film making. I do a lot of videos. I already have a Sony a35 with the stock lens and a 50mm f/1.4 I want the best camera for me... (the screen doesn't really mater since...
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September 20, 2012
Videography
Filming music videos and making short films and a little bit of pictures. thanks
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Answers August 16, 2012
Sports action photography
I am basically going o take a lot of photos in a small amount of time which is why I am leaning towards the A57. The only thing I have a problem with is the loss in megapixels, the geotagging to...
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Answers August 1, 2012
Which Sony Alpha camera would you recommend?
I have an a300 and will continue with sony, but I am not sure which model to buy. Any thoughts?
Beginner I
0
Answers Sony SLT A65
Sony SLT A57
Hristian-Nochev 
Beginner II
I've used it for 3 months now and the more I use it, the more I love it. The video mode is awesome but it has a few limitations; - 1.85 crop factor (unlike the 1.5 crop factor for stills); -... View Hristian-Nochev's recommendation
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- December 15, 2012
- Reply to: What is the best camera for me, for low light videos (w/ manual mode)
Brenden-Sherratt 
Expert I
Megapixels have nothing to do with image quality. For the most part MP just mean how large you can make the photo, a 16 MP is more than enough, unless you plan on taking photos use third party ,... View Brenden-Sherratt's recommendation
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- August 17, 2012
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