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The following article was published in our article directory on September 13, 2013.
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The Sony Alpha 58 Digital Camera Is Sony's Merger Of The Previous Models Alpha 37 And 57

Article Category: Computers and Technology

Author Name: Kevin Lyle

Consolidating Sony's entry-level SLT line-up, the Sony Alpha 58 Digital Camera replaces both the Alpha 37 and Alpha 57. We find out how successful the merger has been since the Sony Alpha 58 introduction
Like all Sony DSLR-style cameras we have seen since the launch of the Alpha 33 and 55 in 2010, the Sony Alpha 58 Digital Camera is based around the company's translucent mirror technology, in which the moving mirror and pentaprism found in a typical DSLR are removed and replaced with a fixed, semi-transparent mirror. With roughly two-thirds of the light that comes through the lens traveling on through the translucent mirror to the sensor, the other third is bounced up to the AF sensor. The benefit of this is that autofocus can remain in action even when a shot is fired - on a traditional DSLR, the mirror is raised and AF is interrupted very briefly when the shutter is triggered - while the burst frame rate can also be improved over DSLR rivals. The absence of a pentaprism does, however, see the optical viewfinder substituted for an electronic equivalent.
The Sony Alpha 58 Digital Camera features a completely new 20.1-million-pixel sensor, but with some established leaders in this sector, does Sony's new model offer the photographer enough to stand out from the crowd?
The main features of the Sony Alpha 58 Digital Camera
Rather than opt for the 24.3-million-pixel sensor found on Sony's higher-end SLT cameras, Sony has developed an all-new, 20.1-million-pixel Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor that improves on the 16.1-million-pixel Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor used by both the Alpha 37 and 57. There is also a new and improved Bionz image-processing engine that individually adjusts levels of noise reduction and sharpness in different imaging areas, while the ISO sensitivity is good for a camera in this class at 100-16,000.
The Sony Alpha 58 Digital Camera 's electronic viewfinder is a 1.44-million-dot OLED device with Tru-Finder technology. This improves on the LCD display found in the Alpha 57, reducing overall power consumption, while the 100 % field of view offered is better than most DSLRs at this price point.
Frustratingly, the rear screen has shrunk in size since the Alpha 57, with a 2.7 in, 460,800-dot display now in place compared to the 3in, 921,000-dot screen on the previous camera. The screen can be pulled out and angled for shooting at different heights, but because it's hinged differently to that on the Alpha 57, it doesn't offer quite the same breadth of movement.
The AF system builds on the system used in the Alpha 57. The 15-point AF arrangement, of which three are the more sensitive cross-types, is in place in the Alpha 58, which also benefits from a new lock-on autofocus technology for what is claimed to be speedier, more accurate subject tracking.
As mentioned, one of the main advantages of Sony's SLT technology overall is the ability to shoot a faster frame rates compared to rivals, so it's no surprise to find that the Sony Alpha 58 Digital Camera is capable of shooting at up to 8fps. This is a little deceptive, however, with 8fps only possible using the cameras dedicated Tele-zoom Continuous Advance Priority AE mode. This sees the image cropped by 2x (with the center of the EVF view automatically magnified), the resolution dropping to a lowly 4.9 million pixels, and the restriction of being able to shoot JPEGs only. Not only is this slower than the all-out pace of the Alpha 57, which could shoot at up to 12fps in Tele-zoom Continuous Advance Priority AE mode, the Alpha 57 is also, more tellingly, capable of shooting at 10fps at full resolution compared to 5fps for the Alpha 58.
Auto Object Framing technology is included in the Sony Alpha 58 Digital Camera, which builds upon the Auto Portrait Framing feature first introduced in the Alpha 57. Set to this mode, Sony claims that the Alpha 58 will consider what is in the scene - including people, and close-up and moving subjects - before tracking, framing and cropping the shot for 'powerful, professionally framed compositions'. Any cropped images are automatically boosted back to the camera's native resolution using Sony's By Pixel Super Resolution technology, with both the |recomposed and original files saved.

While the exterior construction of the Alpha 58 is predominantly plastic, it is more than satisfactory for the job, though it's a little disappointing to see a plastic lens mount replacing the more durable metal lens mount found on the majority of DSLRs - including the Alpha 57.
Otherwise, the exterior design of the Sony Alpha 58 Digital Camera is pretty much identical to that of the Alpha 57. In the hand, and thanks to a substantial grip with a pleasing rubberised surface that features depressions for both middle and ring fingers, it provides a comfortable grip and is probably the best in its class.
Overall, the Alpha 58 is straightforward and quick to use. This is in part thanks to the selection of body-mounted controls that provide quick access to ISO, exposure compensation, drive mode and AF. An Fn button is also present, which offers further access to other key shooting controls, while navigation of the camera's interface is carried out via the four-way D-pad on the rear.
Another annoyance concerns raw shooting, which, as with previous Alpha models, is restricted by some of the camera's modes - for instance, it's not possible to shoot with any of the picture effects when shooting raw + JPEG. It would seem that the Alpha 58 simply wants the user to shoot JPEG-only. A warning pops up on screen, but it can only be changed manually by going through the main menu. This is a little frustrating, given that rival models are happy to shoot in similar modes to produce an altered JPEG file and an untouched raw file that can be revisited later.
Shooting at full resolution, the Sony Alpha 58 Digital Camera is capable of shooting 10 JPEGs or 6 raw files at a maximum burst rate of 5fps - however, even with the Alpha 58's increased resolution over previous models, we would have expected longer bursts than this, while in Tele-zoom Continuous Advance Priority AE mode at 8fps, the Alpha 58 is only capable of producing a burst of 19 frames before it slows down.
With regards to Image, the Sony Alpha 58 Digital Camera has 15 picture effect filters that can be applied to images, though only when shooting JPEGs
The Alpha 58's AF performance is good for a camera in this class, with speedy AF most of the time, especially using one of the three cross-type points, only hunting in low-contrast situations. One niggle is the grouping of the AF points, seeing a bias towards the center of the frame, which often results in the need to focus and then recompose if the subject is positioned towards the edge of the frame.
The Alpha 58's SLT technology means it is able to utilise its 15-point phase-detection AF system during live view and video recording, rather than having to rely on slower contrast-detect AF as most DSLRs do. It therefore delivers the same level of performance via live view as it does when using the viewfinder white balance and colour.
The Alpha 58's auto white balance performs consistently, delivering pleasing results and natural skin tones under a range of lighting conditions that it was tested in. There's also a host of presets to dabble with as well, though for most conditions the AWB setting copes admirably.
The LCD, Viewfinder and Video.
The electronic viewfinder is a lot less tunnel-like than its optical peers, while there's a host of shooting info displayed on screen and the 100 % coverage means nothing creeps in at the edges of the frame once you've taken the shot. Its more than fine for composition and focusing in most situations, but it does struggle with high-contrast scenes and I 'd recommend trying it out before buying.
The downgraded rear LCD screen is disappointing, not quite offering the same level of detail and 'bite' as the competition or its predecessor, while the tilt-only screen doesn't offer the same breadth of movement as the Alpha 57.
For general video shooting, the Alpha 58 is fine, with the option to shoot at 25p or 50i in AVCHD, while the onboard stereo microphones deliver reasonable sound - though I 'd recommend against using the 18-55mm kit lens in AF while recording, as the AF noise from the lens can disrupted audio.
Overall, in a tough sector, having a unique selling point is key, and that is what has made Sony's series of SLTs stand out from the crowd. But I feel that the Sony Alpha 58 Digital Camera has had its advantages have been diluted quite a bit. The 20.1-million-pixel sensor sees it resolving greater levels of detail than its siblings, but the results are compromised at high ISO and are not as useable as images from rival models. Factoring in the smaller screen and plastic lens mount, the Sony Alpha 58 Digital Camera seems a step back from the Alpha 57 it replaces. With such stiff competition in the shape of the Canon EOS 600D, Nikon D3200 and Pentax K-30, it's hard to recommend the Alpha 58 above them. I won't be rushing out to change my Alpha 57 anytime soon.

Keywords: Sony Alpha 58 Digital Camera, digital camera, digital cameras

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