Sony has unveiled the Alpha 57, a 16Mp single lens translucent camera, which boasts 12fps shooting speeds and a 15-point AF system.

The Sony A57 is a refresh of 2010's popular A55, the company's first dip into translucent mirror tech.

The fixed mirror enables light to pass through to the sensor while being reflected into the phase-detection autofocus sensor simultaneously. As well as bringing the overall size of the camera down, subjects stay in sharp focus when shooting both stills and 1080p video, which the A57 handles at frame-rates up to 50p.

There's 10-12fps shooting speeds with continual autofocus and a 15-point AF system, as well as an automatic portrait framing mode and 2x digital zoom. While there is no optical viewfinder, a 3in LCD display with a 1.4m-dot resolution can be found on the rear.

Making use of Sony's Bionz processor, the A57 touts a commendable ISO of 100-16000 and a range of effects.

The Sony A57 hits shelves this April, although UK pricing has yet to be revealed. ®