Budget Sony SLT with translucent mirror for 8fps burst and in-body stabilisation on a discontinued mount.
The Sony SLT-A58 was released in 2013 as a mid-range entry in Sony's SLT (Single-Lens Translucent) lineup, using a fixed semi-transparent pellicle mirror that passes light to both the sensor and a dedicated AF sensor simultaneously — enabling continuous phase-detection AF during both stills and video recording without the mirror-flip interruption of conventional DSLRs. The 20.1MP APS-C Exmor CMOS sensor provides standard APS-C image quality. The SLT design means the viewfinder is always electronic — there is no optical viewfinder.
The 20.1MP APS-C Exmor CMOS sensor pairs with the BIONZ processor. The 15-point phase-detection AF system operates through the fixed translucent mirror for continuous acquisition during shooting. Burst shooting runs at 5fps standard with full-resolution AF; 8fps is available in a 5MP Tele-Zoom mode with a crop and reduced resolution. 1080i/60 and 1080p/24 video records with continuous phase-detection AF during recording. Battery life approximately 690 shots using the NP-FM500H, body weight approximately 492g body only, single SD/SDHC/SDXC slot.
The SLT design's practical advantage is uninterrupted phase-detection AF during video — conventional DSLRs must either use contrast-detect in Live View or lose AF entirely during movie recording when the mirror is raised. The translucent mirror enables the A58 to track moving subjects in video mode with the same phase-detect system used for stills. The 15-point AF provides adequate tracking for standard subjects. The trade-off is the EVF-only viewfinder and a small light transmission penalty from the mirror.
On the used market the A58 is affordable as a vintage Sony SLT body. Condition checks: SLT mirror condition (the fixed translucent mirror can develop dust accumulation between it and the sensor), NP-FM500H battery health — shared with A57, A65, A77, A700 — and AF phase-detect response. Sony discontinued the SLT lineup with the A-mount's wind-down. Compatible with all Sony/Minolta A-mount lenses.