Tackling the market for faster frames per second, Sony's new α57 is a contender in the mid-range market with 12fps (when using a telezoom mode that drops resolution to 8.4-megapixels).

Like its predecessor, the α55, this sibling has a 16.1-megapixel CMOS sensor and a 15-point cross-type autofocusing system.

The α57 uses Sony's translucent mirror technology.

This design augments the cameras video mode, which can also shoot 1080p HD video up to 60 fps. The body also has a 3-inch rotating LCD display and an ISO range of 100 to 16,000.

Sony has added a creative portrait mode, which automatically detects faces and crops them to fit into the compositional rule of thirds.

The α57 interchangeable-lens camera with an 18-55mm kit zoom lens sells for $800 or in a body-only configuration for $700.