From a beginner ....

Shortly beforehand, the following review is from an entry in the DSLR / SLT Photography.
I do not want now to show again all technical refinements of the camera because
There is the manual / data sheets / and other reviews.
I want to play only the motives for the purchase and first impressions here.

Even a short info, I bought through Amazon Warehouse Deals condition second-hand good. The camera and the packaging are in Immaculate
new condition. Everything from the EIA is, camera looks like new and has 80 activations had behind. I highly recommend it.

--- Sony SLT A57 ---
My last camera was a very good compact, with which I am, however, come to the limits of photography, particularly with regard to
Tiefenunschärfe and in photography inside. So needed a DSLR / SLT. A bridge does not stand for election because I had an advance
and luck was not particularly so. When a system camera my lenses too expensive and the selection is simply too limited.

There was a choice of Canon 600D, Canon 650D, Canon 1100D, Sony Alpha 57, Sony Alpha 37, Nikon D3100 and Nikon D5100
So you see, there were first of all cameras of all well-known manufacturers in every price range to choose from
Since I still have no accessories, I could therefore unbiased approach to the matter. (Well almost I still have a Canon PowerShot SX260 HS)

excreted following cameras are then (always my impressions to)
Sony Alpha 37 -> housing too small
Canon 1100D -> housing too small
Canon 650D -> Touch screen I do not need
Nikon D3100 -> (I know myself no longer accurate: D)

So it remained Canon 600D, Nikon D5100 and Sony Alpha 57th

I then had all three in his hand, while I liked the menu and the handling of the Canon and the Sony best.
In principle, it was for me an electronic viewfinder yes or no decision, but see below for more.

So now I have the Sony Alpha 57 with the 18-55mm kit lens, and now the kit lens 55-200mm

--- Negative eindrücke--

There is not much to say here, as I often had in his hands the camera before I bought it. A couple of things there yet.
After a photo is taken, the image for 2 seconds on the display as a preview display. But the picture is displayed in the viewfinder as a preview.
This I find extremely annoying when I want to shoot several frames in succession through the viewfinder and always wait until the preview image has gone.
So I issued the preview. Now you can as requested several frames in succession without making the preview sparks between them.
Will you have to see a picture you just call up the Play button the menu.
The ultimate solution would be to simply preview display only on the display and not the viewfinder.

No Lens Hood for 18-55mm included. Shame really think that would have made anything more for the price.

- Positive Eindrücke--

Processing I perceive as a very high quality, it's all solid, jiggle no heads or grinding.
The image quality I find very good but (Of course, one thing other than the kit needed for brilliant photos already lens) I am also a beginner. To try
where I actually want to go and to get to know the possibilities and basic functions, the two kit lenses are still suitable.
Do not be always the same by professionals unsettle recommend you expensive lenses. That they are better is beyond question, but you know at the beginning mostly not what you really need and where you hinwollt once with your photography.

Another positive benefit for me is that there are very good for the old Sony Minolta cheap to buy lenses.
The Bilstabilisator the Body I find an advantage, as this can be one or the other euro save on the lens. (I still broached times that at large focal lengths a stabilizer in the lens is better than the internal)

The autofocus when filming is absolutely great.

The Help button which, if one does not know a function instantly provides an explanation to be very helpful for beginners.

- Eindrücke-- Mixed

Yes, here are the ghosts Electronic viewfinder divorce or not?
It is clearly a matter of taste. I must say I like the optical viewfinder also better when I look through it.
However, it's my first SLT / SLR and I have therefore previously owned nothing but what makes it very easy for me to get used to.

Meanwhile, I have appreciated the advantages of the electronic viewfinder always learned to get all the information directly displayed in the viewfinder.

Conclusion: I can put the camera each entry only to the heart. Who will be familiar with the basics of photography to achieve super results very quickly here. The menu navigation is very simple and there is an explanation should an item not even understand.

In addition, the potential with a kit lens is far from exhausted. Then, when you find fun in the hobby you will anyway buy new better lenses and then you have already at least a body which therefore can start something.