Pros & Cons
-
- OLED EVF.
- Full-resolution 5fps burst shooting.
- Cropped JPG shooting at 7.3fps.
- Good performance at high ISO settings.
- Hinged rear display.
- Good control layout.
-
- EVF not as sharp as other Sony models.
- Rear LCD could be larger and sharper.
- Only one control dial.
- Disappointing kit lens.
Sony Alpha 58 (SLT-A58K) Specs
| 35mm Equivalent (Telephoto) | 83 mm |
| 35mm Equivalent (Wide) | 27 |
| Battery Type | Lithium Ion |
| Dimensions | 3.9 by 5.1 by 3.1 inches |
| Display Resolution | 460800 |
| EVF Resolution | 1440000 |
| Lens Mount | Sony A |
| Maximum ISO | 16000 |
| Memory Card Format | Memory Stick Pro Duo |
| Memory Card Format | Secure Digital |
| Memory Card Format | Secure Digital Extended Capacity |
| Memory Card Format | Secure Digital High Capacity |
| Optical Zoom | 3 x |
| Sensor Resolution | 20 |
| Sensor Size | APS-C (24 x 16mm) |
| Sensor Type | CMOS |
| Stabilization | In-Body |
| Touch Screen | |
| Type | D-SLR |
| Video Resolution | 1080i |
| Video Resolution | 1080p |
| Video Resolution | 480p |
| Viewfinder Type | EVF |
| Weight | 1.3 |
The Sony Alpha 58 ($599.99 direct with 18-55mm lens) is the current entry-level D-SLR in the company's catalog. The 20-megapixel camera offers a few modest upgrades over the previous-generation Alpha 57, including an OLED viewfinder, but takes a step backwards in terms of burst shooting speed. If you're in the market for a D-SLR with an EVF, we think the Alpha 65£899.99 at Amazon UK is a better buy, though it is a bit more money. Traditionalists who prefer an optical finder are better off with our Editors' Choice, the Nikon D5200.
Design and Features
The Alpha 58 is pretty typical in size for an entry-level D-SLR. It measures just 3.9 by 5.1 by 3.1 inches (HWD) and weighs 1.3 pounds without a lens. The Canon EOS Rebel T5i is about the same size (3.9 by 5.2 by 3.1 inches), but a bit lighter at 1.1 pounds. Like other Sony D-SLRs, the viewfinder is an EVF rather than an optical design. The camera still has a mirror, but it's semi-transparent and doesn't move. Most of the light hits the image sensor, but some is directed down to a dedicated phase detect autofocus sensor. This provides a seamless transition between the EVF and the rear LCD, and fast, accurate focus for both stills and video.
View All The EVF is an OLED design with a 1,440k-dot resolution. It's a step up in quality from the LCD found in the Alpha 57, but it's not the equal of the 2,336k-dot OLED viewfinder that Sony packs into its Alpha 65 and Alpha 77See it at Amazon UK cameras. That EVF is noticeably sharper, giving you a better idea of what you're shooting. The rear LCD on the Alpha 58 is a little lacking as well; it's a 2.7-inch panel with a hinged design so that it can tilt up or down. The resolution is 460k-dots, which is only half that of others in this class like the Pentax K-50.
The small LCD does leave a bit of extra room on the body for controls. On the rear you'll find buttons to record movies, activate exposure lock, and adjust exposure compensation. Below those, directly to the right of the LCD, you'll find the Fn button, which lets you control shooting settings via an on-screen menu, and a four-way control pad with directional buttons to adjust the information displayed over the live view feed, change the drive mode and activate the self-timer, adjust white balance, and control color output. The center AF button enables tracking focus, and there are also the standard image playback and delete buttons. The latter doubles as an on-screen guide that contains tips for the best settings for different types of photos. The menu button is located above the LCD, to the left of the EVF's eyecup.
