The Sony Alpha SLT-A58 Digital SLR Camera with DT 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 SAM II Lens is a compact digital SLR camera that blends high imaging performance with a host of intelligent and intuitive features to help achieve optimal results for both still and moving imagery. The A58 houses a 20.1 megapixel APS-C-sized Exmor HD APS CMOS sensor and BIONZ image processor, which work together to produce clear, detailed imagery with impressive low-light sensitivity to ISO 16000 and fast performance that enables up to 5fps full-resolution continuous shooting. The processor and sensor combination are also significantly benefited by the unique Translucent Mirror Technology, which effectively directs light to both the image sensor and focus sensor simultaneously. This enables the 15-point AF system to work continuously even while recording video and photographing in a continuous shooting mode. In regard to video, full HD 1080i/p video is supported at both 60 and 24fps, respectively, in the AVCHD version 2.0 format. The Internet-friendly MP4 format is also available when recording 1440 x 1080/30p movies for a more streamlined and efficient workflow.
The Translucent Mirror Technology also provides two means for image compositions, playback, and menu navigation: an electronic viewfinder and a rear LCD monitor. The SVGA Tru-Finder OLED EVF has a 1,440k-dot resolution to permit crisp live view monitoring of subjects and also allows you to preview the effects of camera settings while using an eye-level viewfinder. The rear 2.7" 460.8k-dot Clear Photo LCD monitor features a tilting design to greatly benefit working from both high and low angles, and the larger size is well-suited for image review.
For refining the overall look and appearance of imagery, an array of imaging features are incorporated into the A58 that allow you to both achieve optimal exposure results as well as apply creative effects. Auto HDR works to extend the dynamic range of a single exposure by combining three separate exposures-one over, one neutral, and one under-to garner the greatest tonal detail within a single frame. Multi Frame NR and Hand-held Twilight both work to enable hand-held shooting capabilities and noise reduction processes to aid shooting in dimly-lit conditions. When working with portraiture and still lifes, Auto Object Framing and Auto Portrait Framing work to create aesthetically pleasing compositions, based on the rule of thirds, automatically from original images. These modes utilize a system of intelligent detection and exposure methods to crop and enhance the look of imagery to create a new image that is both compositionally and tonally balanced in addition to the original image taken.
Also included with the A58 digital camera is the Sony DT 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 SAM II lens, which provides a 35mm-equivalent focal length range of 27-82.5mm to provide from wide-angle to portrait-length perspectives. This lens features the SAM (Smooth Autofocus Motor) to offer quick and quiet performance that facilitates video recording and subject tracking. In regard to the lens construction, two aspherical elements and one ED (extra-low dispersion) glass element are incorporated to help reduce chromatic aberration throughout the zoom range while also helping to produce sharper imagery.
Lens Compatibility | Sony A-mount, operation with Minolta/Konica Minolta Maxxum lenses |
Lens Mount | Sony A-mount |
Camera Type | Interchangeable Lens Digital SLT camera |
Imaging Sensor | Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor (23.5 X 15.6mm) |
Processor | BIONZ image processor |
Anti Dust | Charge protection coating on Low-Pass Filter and electromagnetic vibration mechanism |
Pixel Gross | Approx. 20.4M pixels |
Effective Picture Resolution | Approx. 20.1M pixels |
Focal Length Conversion Factor | 1.5x |
Color Filter System | RGB primary color filters |
Media Type | Memory Stick PRO Duo /Pro-HG Duo media; SD, SDHC and SDXC memory card |
Color Space | sRGB standard (with sYCC gamut) and Adobe RGB standard compatible with TRILUMINOS Color |
Still Image Mode | JPEG (Standard, Fine), RAW, RAW+JPEG |
Still Image Max Effective Resolution | L (20 MP) 5456 x 3632 |
Still Image Size 16:9 | L (17 MP) 5456 x 3064, M (8.4 MP) 3872 x 2176, S (4.2 MP) 2736 x 1536 |
Still Image Size 3:2 | L (20 MP) 5456 x 3632, M (10 MP) 3872 x 2576, S (5 MP) 2736 x 1824 |
Panorama Still Image Size | Horizontal Wide: 12,416 x 1,856 (23M) Horizontal Std.: 8,192 x 1,856 (15M) Vertical Wide: 2,160 x 5,536 (12M) Vertical Std.: 2,160 x 3,872 (8.4M) |
Video Format | AVCHD / MP4 (MPEG-4 AVC (H.264)) |
Video Mode AVCHD | FX - 1920 x 1080/60i at 24Mbps FH - 1920 x 1080/60i at 17Mbps FX - 1920 x 1080/24p at 24Mbps FH - 1920 x 1080/24p at 17Mbps |
Video Mode MP4 | HD - 1440 x 1080/ 30p at 12Mbps VGA - 640 x 480/ 30p at 3Mbps |
Video Signal | NTSC color, EIA standards |
Audio Format | Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC, 2ch |
Microphone/Speaker | Built-in Stereo Microphone |
Still Image File Format | JPEG (DCF Ver. 2.0, Exif Ver.2.3, MPF Baseline compliant), RAW (Sony ARW 2.3 format), RAW & JPEG |
Type | 1/2" SVGA EVF (Electronic viewfinder) (1,440k dots)" |
Diopter Adjustment | -4.0m to +4.0m-1 |
Field of View | 100% |
LCD Type | 2.7" TFT Clear Photo LCD (460,800 pixels) |
Angle Adjustment | Tilt angle: Up approx. 135 degrees, downward approx. 55 degrees |
Brightness Control | Auto, Manual (5 steps between -2 to +2) |
Coverage | 100% |
Live View | Continuous Live View (LCD/EVF Auto, selectable) |
Real-time Image Adjustment Display | Yes(On/Off) |
Histogram | Yes(On/Off) |
Peaking | Yes (Level setting: High/Mid/Low/Off, Color: White/Red/Yellow) |
Grid Display | Yes (Rule of thirds, Diagonal, 4x6 Square Grids, Off) |
Customization | Grid, Histogram display, Grid Line, Magnified display for playback |
Focus System | TTL phase detection AF (CCD line sensors) |
Focus Points | 15 points (3 points cross type) |
AF Modes | Single-shot AF(AF-S), Continuous AF(AF-C), Automatic AF(AF-A) selectable, Direct Manual Focus (DMF), Manual Focus |
Focus Area | Wide (Auto,15 points)/ Zone/Spot/Local selectable |
Focus Sensitivity | EV -1 to 18 EV (at ISO100 equivalent, with F2.8 lens attached) |
Focus Features | Predictive control (AF-A, AF-C), Focus Lock, Eye-start AF |
AF Illuminator | Built-in LED, Range: approx. 3' - 21' (1m-7m) |
Metering | Advanced 1200-zone evaluative metering |
Metering Modes | Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot |
Metering Sensitivity | -2EV to 17EV (at ISO 100 equivalent w/ f/1.4 lens) |
Exposure Compensation | Still images: +/-3.0 EV(1/3EV steps selectable) Movies: +/-2.0 EV(1/3EV steps selectable) |
Exposure Settings | iAUTO, Flash Off, Superior Auto, Scene Selection, Sweep Panorama, Continuous Advance Priority AE, Movie, Picture Effect, Programmed AE (P), Aperture priority (A), Shutter-speed priority (S), Manual (M) |
Scene Mode(s) | Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports Action, Sunset, Night Portrait, Night View, Handheld Twilight |
Picture Effect(s) | 11 types (15 variations): Posterization (Color, B/W), Pop Color, Retro Photo, Partial Color (R,G,B,Y), High Contrast Monochrome, Toy Camera, Soft High-key, Soft Focus, HDR Painting, Rich-tone Monochrome, Miniature |
D-Range Optimizer | Yes: (Auto, Level, Off) |
Auto Exposure Lock | Yes (AE Lock button) |
Color Temperature | 2500 - 9900K with 15-step each Magenta/Green compensation (G7 to M7), AWB micro adjustment |
Creative Style | Standard, Vivid, Portrait, Landscape, Sunset, Black & White (Contrast (-3 to +3steps), Saturation(-3 to +3steps), Sharpness(-3 to +3steps)) |
Exposure Bracketing | Cont./Single, w/ 1/3 EV,1/2 EV,2/3 EV,2.0EV,3.0 EV incmnts,3/5 frames (2.0EV,3.0EV:only 3 frs) sel |
ISO | Stills: ISO 100-16000 selectable in 1 EV steps, Auto (100-3200) Movies: ISO 100-3200 selectable in 1 EV steps, Auto (200-3200) |
Noise Reduction | Long Exposure NR: (On/Off, available at shutter speeds longer than 1 second) High ISO NR: (High/Normal/Low) |
White Balance Mode | Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent (Warm white, Cool white, Day white, Daylight) , Flash, Setting the color temperature, Color Filter, Custom |
Burst Buffer | Tele-zoom Continuous Advance Priority AE: Fine: 16 frames, Standard: 19 frames Continuous shooting: Fine: 7 frames, Standard: 8 frames, RAW & JPEG: 5 frames, RAW: 6 frames |
Continuous Shooting Speed | Tele-zoom Continuous Advance Priority AE: Maximum 8 frames per second Hi: Maximum 5 frames per second, Lo: Maximum 2.5 frames per second |
Drive Mode | Single Shooting, Continuous Shooting (Hi/Lo selectable), Self-timer (10/2 sec. delay selectable) Bracketing (Cont., Single, White Balance) |
Self-timer | 2-sec. or 10-sec. delay |
Shutter Speeds | Still images: 1/4000 to 30 sec/Bulb, Movies: 1/4000 to 1/4 (1/3 step), up to 1/30 in AUTO mode |
Shutter Type | Electronically-controlled, vertical-traverse, focal-plane shutter |
Flash Compensation | +/-2.0 EV (switchable between 1/3 and 1/2 EV steps) |
Flash Coverage | Field of view coverage up to 16 mm (in the focal length) |
Recycling Time | Approx. 4 sec. |
Flash Bracketing | 0.3/0.5/0.7/2.0/3.0EV steps, 3 frames(2.0/3.0EV : only 3 frames) selectable |
Flash Metering System | ADI flash/ Pre-flash TTL |
Flash Modes | Auto, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Hi-speed sync., Red-eye reduction (on/off selectable for Auto flash and fill-flash mode), Wireless, Off |
Flash Type | Built-in, Pop-up Auto |
Guide Number | 10 (in meters at ISO100) |
Self Timer | Yes, 10/2 second delay selectable |
Shutter Speeds | Still images: 1/4000 to 30 sec/Bulb, Movies: 1/4000 to 1/4 (1/3 step), up to 1/30 in AUTO mode |
Shutter Type | Electronically-controlled, vertical-traverse, focal-plane shutter |
Flash Compensation | +/-2.0 EV (switchable between 1/3 and 1/2 EV steps) |
Flash Coverage | Field of view coverage up to 16 mm (in the focal length) |
Recycling Time | Approx. 4 sec. |
Flash Bracketing | 0.3/0.5/0.7/2.0/3.0EV steps, 3 frames(2.0/3.0EV : only 3 frames) selectable |
Flash Metering System | ADI flash/ Pre-flash TTL |
Flash Modes | Auto, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Hi-speed sync., Red-eye reduction (on/off selectable for Auto flash and fill-flash mode), Wireless, Off |
Flash Type | Built-in, Pop-up Auto |
Guide Number | 10 (in meters at ISO100) |
Self Timer | Yes, 10/2 second delay selectable |
Red-Eye Reduction | Yes, On/ Off selectable |
Media/Battery Indicator | Yes |
View & Index | Single (with or without shooting information), RGB histogram and highlight/shadow warning 4/9-frame index view, Enlarged display mode (L: 13.6x, M: 9.9x, S: 6.8x), Auto Review (10/5/2 sec, Off) Image orientation (On/Off), Slideshow, Panorama scrolling, Folder selection (still) Forward/Rewind (movie), Delete, Protect |
Advanced User Interface | Easy-to-understand Graphic Display and on-screen Help Guide User-friendly function menu |
Anti Motion Blur | 6-image layering |
Auto High Dynamic Range | Yes, (Auto Exposure Difference, Exposure difference Level (1-6 EV at 1.0 EV step), off) |
Sweep Panorama | Horizontal (Wide/Standard), Vertical (Wide/Standard) |
Face Detection | On, Off, Face Registration, Face Selection; maximum eight faces detected |
Smile Shutter Technology | Smile shutter (selectable from 3 steps) |
Tracking Focus | Yes |
Image Stabilization | For still images: SteadyShot INSIDE Image Sensor-Shift mechanism, For movies: Electronic |
Priority Setting (for Face Detection) | Yes (eight faces max) |
Microphone Input | Yes (3.5mm Stereo minijack) |
Remote Commander | Yes (via optional RM-VPR1) |
Accessory Shoe | Yes (Multi Interface) |
BRAVIA Sync | Yes, via HDMI with compatible BRAVIA HDTV |
DC IN | Yes via AC-PW10AM (sold separately) |
HD Output | HDMI mini connector (Type D) |
Memory Card Slot | Dual compatibility slot: Memory Stick PRO Duo /Pro-HG Duo /PRO-HG HX Duo media - SD, SDHC and SDXC memory card |
PhotoTV HD | Yes, with BRAVIA Sync enabled HDTV and HDMI cable |
Tripod Mount | Yes (1/4" diameter, 20 threads per inch) |
USB Port(s) | Multi/Micro USB Terminal, Hi-speed USB (USB2.0): Mass-storage, MTP/ Multi (REMOTE)/ Micro USB Type B |
Battery Type | InfoLITHIUM NP-FM500H (7.2V) |
Battery Capacity | 1600 mAh |
Number of Still Images | Approx. 690 images with viewfinder, 700 images with LCD monitor (CIPA standard) |
Power Consumption (Using EVF) | Approx. 690 images with viewfinder (CIPA standard) |
Supplied Software | Supplied Software: PlayMemories Home, Image Data Converter Version 4 |
Operating System Compatibility | Operating System Compatibility: Windows® XP SP3 (64-bit and Starter Editions are not supported, Windows Image Mastering API(IMAPI) Ver.2.0 or later is required to use the function for creating discs.) Windows Vista® SP2 (Starter Edition is not supported) Windows 7 SP1; Windows 8; Mac OS X(v10.5 -v10.8) (Image Data Converter, PlayMemories Home is not Mac compatible) |
Dimensions (WxHxD) | 5.1 x 3.8 x 3.1" (128.6 x 95.5 x 77.7mm) |
Weight | 1.3 lbs (573g) |
Reviews Sony Alpha SLT-A58 Digital SLR Camera with DT 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 SAM II Lens (Free 8GB SD Card + Bag) (Sony Malaysia)