• 35mm 855.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 20.9 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sony Alpha SLT-A99
  • Nikon D500
Links
Prices: Compare Prices Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:   Nikon D300S
D300S vs D500
Successor: Sony A99 II
A99 vs A99 II
 
General
Model Number: A99 D500
Alternate Model Number(s): SLT-A99V  
Camera Format: SLR Pro SLR
Currently Manufactured: No Yes
Retail Price: $2799.99 $1999.95
Street Price: $1,998.00 $1,598.45
Date Available: 2012-10-15 2016-03-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 29.2 oz (828 g)
includes batteries
30.2 oz (856 g)
includes batteries
Size: 5.8 x 4.4 x 3.1 in.
(147 x 111 x 78 mm)
5.8 x 4.5 x 3.2 in.
(147 x 115 x 81 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony  
Effective Megapixels: 24.3 20.9
Sensor Format: 35mm APS-C
Sensor size: 855.62mm2 (35.80mm x 23.90mm) 368.95mm2 (23.50mm x 15.70mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.97 microns 4.22 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.0x 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed None
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 89 83
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 25.0 24.0
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 14.0 14.0
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 1,555 1,324
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 6000 x 4000 (24.0 MP, 3:2),
6000 x 3376 (20.3 MP, 16:9),
3936 x 2624 (10.3 MP, 3:2),
3936 x 2216 (8.7 MP, 16:9),
2640 x 1760 (4.6 MP, 3:2),
2640 x 1488 (3.9 MP, Other),
1728 x 1152 (2.0 MP, 3:2),
1728 x 976 (1.7 MP, Other),
12416 x 1856 (23.0 MP, Other),
8192 x 1856 (15.2 MP, Other),
2160 x 5536 (12.0 MP, Other),
2160 x 3872 (8.4 MP, Other)
5568 x 3712 (20.7 MP, 3:2),
4176 x 2784 (11.6 MP, 3:2),
2784 x 1856 (5.2 MP, 3:2),
4272 x 2848 (12.2 MP, 3:2),
3200 x 2136 (6.8 MP, 3:2),
2128 x 1424 (3.0 MP, Other)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.3), 14-bit RAW (ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG JPEG (EXIF 2.3), NEF (RAW), 12 or 14 bit, lossless compressed, compressed, or uncompressed, L/M/S; RAW+JPEG, TIFF
Continuous-mode frames/second: 5.9 10.2
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (60p/​28Mbps/​PS or 60i/​24Mbps/​FX or 60i/​17Mbps/​FH or 24p/​24Mbps/​FX or 24p/​17Mbps/​FH)
1440x1080 (30p/​12Mbps)
640x480 (30p/​3Mbps)
3840x2160 (30p/​25p/​24p)
1920x1080 (60p/​50p/​30p/​25p/​24p)
1280x720 (60p/​50p)
Movie File Format: AVCHD 2.0 / MP4; Audio :Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC MOV (Video: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC; Audio: Stereo Linear PCM)
Composite Video Out: No No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: n/a n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a n/a
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Sony Alpha (Minolta A) Nikon F
Lens: n/a n/a
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):    
Focal Length (actual):    
Zoom Ratio:    
Aperture Range:    
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:    
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: n/a n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No No
Digital Zoom: Yes No
Digital Zoom Values: 1.4x / 2x n/a
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Dual Phase-detection: 19 points (11 points cross type) CCD line sensors, 102 assist points focal plane phase-detection sensors; Wide (auto, 19 points), Zone, Spot, Local selectable OVF: Nikon Advanced Multi-CAM 20K autofocus sensor module with TTL phase detection fine-tuning, and 153 focus points (including 99 cross-type sensors and 15 sensors that support f/8), of which 55 (35 cross-type sensors and 9 f/8 sensors) are available for selection; ; Contrast-detect AF in Live View mode
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes No
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: EVF / LCD Optical / LCD
Viewfinder Type: EVF type; 1.3cm (0.5-inch) 2,359K-dot XGA OLED, ~100% coverage, 0.71x magnification, 22mm eyepoint at -1 diopter (CIPA standard), -4 to +3 diopter, eye sensor. SLR type: eye-level pentaprism, 100% coverage, 1.0x magnification (~0.67x 35mm eq.), 16mm eyepoint, -2 to +1 diopter
Focus Peaking: Yes No
EVF Resolution: 2,359,000 dots n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.71x 0.67x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.71x 1.00x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.2
Rear Display Resolution: 1,228,800 dots (307,200 px) 2,359,000 dots (589,750 px)
Touchscreen: No Yes
Articulating Screen: Yes Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: Yes No
Selfie Screen: Yes No
Max Playback Zoom: 16.7x  
Top Deck Display: Yes Yes
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 25600 51200
Minimum ISO (native): 100 100
ISO Settings: Auto (100-6400 with selectable limits), 100-25600 in 1/3 EV steps, extendable down to ISO 50; Multi-frame NR up to ISO 51200 Auto, ISO 100 - 51200, expandable to Lo-1 ISO 50 to Hi-5 ISO 1,638,400
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto WB, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent (Warm white/Cool white/Day white/Daylight), Flash, C. Temp 2500 to 9900K, C Filter G7 to M7 (15-step), Custom, AWB micro adjustment Auto (3 types), Cloudy, Shade, Direct Sunlight, Flash, Fluorescent (7 types), Incandescent, Kelvin Color Temperature (2,500K-10,000K), Preset manual (up to 6); Fine tuning available.
Shutter Speed Range: 1/8000 - 30 sec 1/8000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 1200-zone Evaluative, Center-weighted, Spot TTL exposure metering using RGB sensor with approximately 180K (180,000) pixels; Matrix: 3D color matrix metering III (type G, E, and D lenses), color matrix metering III (other CPU lenses); Center-weighted (weight of approximately 75% given to 8mm circle in center of frame. Diameter of circle can be changed to 6, 10, or 13mm, or weighting can be based on average of entire frame (non-CPU lenses use 8-mm circle); Spot: meters circle with diameter of about 3.5mm (about 2.5% of frame) centered on selected focus point (on center focus point when non-CPU lens is used); Highlight-weighted: Available with type G, E, and D lenses
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports Action, Sunset, Night Portrait, Night Scene, Hand-held Twilight, Sweep Panorama, Telezoom Continuous Priority AE N/A
Self Timer: 2, 10; 3 or 5 frames after 10s seconds 2/5/10/20s; 1-9 exposures at intervals of 0.5, 1, 2, or 3 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):   Yes
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: No No
Flash Modes: Auto, Off, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Wireless, High-Speed sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off Front curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync, Auto FP High-Speed Sync supported
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a n/a
Flash Range Description: n/a n/a
Max Flash Sync: 1/250 1/250
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps -3 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Multi Interface Shoe, PC-Sync terminal Hot Shoe, PC-sync Terminal
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:   No
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: MS Duo / MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC XQD / SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support: UHS-I UHS-II
Other Memory:   Dual slots, XQD+SD
Dual Card Slots: Yes Yes
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: 14-bit RAW (ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG NEF (RAW), 12 or 14 bit, lossless compressed, compressed, or uncompressed, L/M/S; RAW+JPEG, TIFF
Movie File Format: AVCHD 2.0 / MP4; Audio :Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC MOV (Video: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC; Audio: Stereo Linear PCM)
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No Yes
NFC: No Yes
Bluetooth: No Yes
Built-In GPS: Yes No
Microphone Jack: Yes Yes
Headphone Jack: Yes Yes
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 3.0 Super Speed,Bluetooth,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional Wireless or Wired Optional: wired or wireless
Connections (extended): Type-C HDMI Mini Connector (BRAVIA Sync, PhotoTV H); Wired Remote Terminal, External Stereo Micophone Jack, External Stereo Headphone Jack, DC Input, Vertical Grip connector, Sync Terminal, Multi Interface Shoe, Built-in GPS Type-C Mini HDMI with uncompressed video support, 10-pin Remote Terminal, PC Sync
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.50 <0.3
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.56  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): Unlimited  
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): 0.58 <0.3
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 5.9 10.2
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 17 200
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 5.9 10.2
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): 18 200
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 5.9 10.2
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): 13 27
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.13 seconds 0.17 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):   0.103 seconds
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.081 seconds 0.049 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):    
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.055 seconds 0.049 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Full AF lag, Wide-area AF mode = 0.125s Prefocused shutter lag with Electronic First Curtain Off = 0.108s  
Startup Time: 0.7 seconds 0.3 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 1.1 seconds 0.2 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power:    
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 500 shots  
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 410 shots 1240 shots
Battery Life, Video:   50 minutes
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NP-FM500H Proprietary EN-EL15, optional MB-D17 battery grip
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary EN-EL15 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No No
Software
Included Software: Software CD-ROM (includes Picture Motion Browser, Image Data Converter 4, Remote Camera Control 3) ViewNX-i, ViewNX-Movie Editor, Capture NX-D, Nikon Transfer 2, Picture Control Utility 2 downloads
OS Compatibility: Windows XP SP3/Vista SP2/7, Mac OS X (v.10.5 +); PMB is Windows only Windows 7/8/10, Mac OS X 10.9.5-10.11.5
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: 24.3MP full-frame image sensor, SteadyShot INSIDE image stabilization, dual phase-detect AF, 200K shutter, AVCHD 2.0 video, hi-res OLED EVF, articulating 1.3M-dot LCD, 6 fps bursts at full resolution, up to 10 fps Tele-zoom mode, two card slots (SD/MS, SD), real-time Full HD video out via HDMI, built-in GPS.