Key Features
Nov 27 2013
Announced
20 megapixels
Resolution
| Brand | Sony |
| Sensor Type | APS-C |
| Sensor | CMOS |
| Weight | 492g |
| MSRP | $599USD |
Other similar cameras
Overview of the SLT-A58
Capturing life's precious moments is a great way to preserve memories for a lifetime. Whether you're a professional photographer or just enjoy taking photos for fun, having the right camera can make all the difference. The Sony SLT-A58 is a budget-friendly DSLR camera that boasts excellent image quality, easy-to-use features, and a variety of shooting modes. In this review, we'll dive into all the features that make the Sony SLT-A58 a great choice for amateur photographers and those just getting started in photography. So, let's get started!
Sony SLT-A58 Pros and Cons
Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Sony SLT-A58 camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!
Pros
Cons
Build and Construction
Body and dimensions
Sony SLT-A58
| Weather sealed | |
| Dimensions | 129 x 95 x 78mm |
| Weight | 492g |
| Thickness | 78mm |
Weather Sealing
The Sony SLT-A58 is not sealed against water and dust, so it's important to be careful when using it in such conditions. If you often shoot in environments with water or dust, it's recommended to check out another camera with weather sealing.
Design and Handling
Main design features
| View Finder | Electronic |
| Screen Type | Tilting |
| Screen Resolution | 460k dots |
| Body type | Compact SLR |
Suitable for:
| Photography | Above Avg. |
| Videography | Above Avg. |
| Travel | Above Avg. |
LCD Screen
This camera has a tilting 2.70" screen, with a display resolution of 460k dots. This makes the Sony SLT-A58 not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. Unfortunately, the camera does not have a touch screen, which may make it less user-friendly.
Viewfinder
SLT-A58 includes a electronic viewfinder with 1,440k dots of resolution with a coverage of 100% and a magnification of 0.65x. This feature enhances the camera's suitability for outdoor photography in bright conditions.
Image Quality
Sony SLT-A58 has a 20MP sized CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 20 pixels. Sony SLT-A58 has a native ISO range of 100 - 16000 which can be boosted to null - 25600. It can also save files in RAW format which gives you a wider room for post processing.
Key Features
Nov 27 2013
Announced
100 - 16000
ISO Range
| Sensor | APS-C |
| Extended ISO | null - 25600 |
| Max resolution | 5456 x 3632 pixels |
DXO Sensor Scores
Overall
74 / 102
Color Depth
23.3 / 26.5
Dynamic Range
12.5 / 14.8
Low Light ISO
753 / 4505
DXO mark sensor scores
The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Sony SLT-A58 camera has above average color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also above average, allowing it to retain low amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is poor, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the SLT-A58 is average
Crop Factor
Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.
Size comparison
Crop factor calculator
Crop factor
1x
Full frame equivalent
24mm
This camera: APS-C
24mm
Connectivity, storage, battery
| Storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
| Battery Life | 690 shots |
| Battery Model | NP-FM500H |
| HDMI | |
| USD | |
| Wireless Connectivity |
Storage
The Sony SLT-A58 supports SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo with 1 slots for storage. This may suffice for everyday use. However, for professional applications such as wedding photography, it is not recommended as a memory card malfunction could lead to the loss of all footage.
Battery
The Sony SLT-A58 uses the NP-FM500H model of battery pack. This is rated for 690 shots shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.
Photography Features
Flash
The Sony SLT-A58 has built in flash which is great for event photography and in low light situations. It also offers a flash shoe that allows you to attach external flashes. This provides more versatility in your lighting choices.
Shutter
The Sony SLT-A58 boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/4000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.
With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.
Autofocus
The Sony SLT-A58 includes phase detection autofocus (AF), with 15 number of focus points.
While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.
Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.
On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.
FAQ
The Sony SLT-A58 features a CMOS sensor
No the SLT-A58 does not have weather sealing.
The Sony SLT-A58 was announced on Nov 27 2013
Yes the SLT-A58 does have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.
The SLT-A58 has a native ISO range of 100-16000, which can be expanded to ISO null-25600 for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.