The SLT-A58 could confuse Sony experts, because the new DSLR is not the successor of the SLT-A57 presented a year ago, but offers partly improved, but also partly stripped equipment at a considerably cheaper price. So the Sony Alpha 58 closes the gap to the entry-level model A37, thus rounding the SLT range down.
OLED viewfinder
The price of the Sony Alpha 58 is at the same level as the Alpha 37 so far: in the kit with the 18-55mm standard zoom it costs just under 600 euros, which is about 200 euros cheaper than the A57. Including the SAL-18-55 and SAL-55-200-mm lenses, it is priced at almost 750 euros.
Less video
New is the CMOS sensor in the APS-C format, which offers 20.1 megapixel resolution. This is dust-protected and, as mobile, also responsible for image stabilization. As an achievement, the developers of the Sony Alpha 58 have donated an improved Bionz processor, which promises a precise autofokusleistung, fast serial images and ensures, among other things, the noise behavior despite the higher resolution remains at a low level. The sensitivity remains as before at ISO 100 to 16,000, with multi-frame capture are now even up to ISO 25.600.
High image quality
In terms of design, the Sony Alpha 58 is based on the larger Alpha 57 sister, which means it is not as delicate as the A37. The handy plastic housing with ergonomically shaped and rubberized thumb area is well in the hand and can also be operated with larger fingers comfortably. Key layout and concept are basically the same as the A57. Everything is within easy reach and with some practice one finds relatively quickly. Practical: eye sensor and autofocus can be coupled via the menu, so that the camera automatically focuses on the viewfinder when approaching the eye, which works well in practice.
Test Conclusion
An upgrade means the viewfinder: The Sony Alpha 58 is equipped with an electronic OLED version with 100 percent image coverage and 480,000 RGB pixels resolution. The viewfinder picture is like sharpness, contrasts and good fine-tuning, but the colors sometimes look unnatural, the picture slightly bluish. When there is little light, there is sometimes strong noise in the live mode.
On board the Sony Alpha 58 is a mobile display, which is somewhat smaller than that of the A57 and with 153600 RGB pixels less pixels, but at least the double as the A37 offers. It can not be rotated as with higher-quality models, but it can be turned 90 degrees upwards and about 50 degrees downwards so that overhead or downward shooting can be performed better.
The price difference to the Alpha 57 makes itself felt in the video business: Here the Sony Alpha 58 AVCHD creates in full-HD resolution (1,920 x 1,080 pixels) with 50 half-images (50i) or 25 full-images (25p) per second. For comparison: The A57 mastered 50 full images per second. The films have a natural color, but they are slightly slippery, and there is a lack of detail and fine-tuning. The measurements showed a visual noise of 1.3 VN, a kurtosis of 1.2 and a resolution of 82 percent of the theoretical maximum for full-HD videos.
The autofocus system is known from the A57: it works with 15 fields, including 3 cross sensors. A new feature is the "lock-on" function: once a subject is captured, it remains focused on fast movements, which also benefits you when recording videos. The autofocus pulls the sharpness more accurately, but still works slightly jerkily and clearly audibly.
In normal serial mode the A57 reached 4.8 B / s - which the manufacturer promises - but only 10 pictures in series. This is clearly less than the A57 master (8 B / s and 29 images in series). Also with RAW pictures are 4.8 B / s in it, after only six shots is however final. The switch-on delay is moderate with 1.3 s, the trip delay including autofocus is 0.44 s at 1000 lux, and the dark blue 30 lux the A58 took 0.53 s, in both disciplines it is slower than its big sister
With the image quality, the Sony Alpha 58 achieves better values for the higher resolution, which keeps it balanced over the entire sensitivity range up to ISO 1,600 (1,650 to 1,626 LP / BH). In addition, there are very high DL values, which results in points (1.429 to 1.387 LP / BH). However, it is an indicator that Sony raises the contrast so that the images are partly saturated and unnatural.
In the case of noise, kurtosis and dynamics, it is roughly equal to the alpha 57: it tends to slightly lower (VN 1.0 to 2.6 at ISO 6400), and the dynamics are higher at low sensitivities up to ISO 400 (aperture 9 , 7 at ISO 100), it loses some ISO 800 and in the fine drawing.
With an affordable price of just under 600 euros including standard zoom, a good-to-use, handy housing and slightly improved equipment, Sony offers with its new Sony Alpha 58 a really interesting successor to the entry-level SLT Alpha 37 and a worthwhile alternative to the higher-established Alpha 57. In Puncto image resolution offers it with 20.1 megapixels more, has an electronic OLED viewfinder and some improved technical features.
Buying advice: The best DSLRs with APS-C sensor
Conclusion against the Alpha 57 must be accepted in video operation, in the autofokusleistung and with the somewhat smaller display, which seems justified for the 200 euro more favorable price. All in all a successful overall package with very good picture quality for little money. Kauftipp Value for money!
Sony Alpha 58
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