• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 23.00mm - 810.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • Detailed specifications
  • Nikon Coolpix P500
  • Sony Alpha SLT-A57
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website
Nikon Coolpix P500 webpage
Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor:    
General
Model Number: P500 A57
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: EVF SLR
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $399.95 $799.99
Street Price:    
Date Available: 2011-03-15 2012-04-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 17.6 oz (499 g)
includes batteries
29.2 oz (828 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 4.5 x 3.3 x 4.0 in.
(116 x 84 x 103 mm)
5.2 x 3.8 x 3.2 in.
(132 x 98 x 81 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:   Sony
Effective Megapixels: 12.1 16.1
Sensor Format: 1/2.3 inch APS-C
Sensor size: 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm) 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 1.54 microns 4.82 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: n/a 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 3:2
Color Filter Type:   RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter:   Fixed
Self-Cleaning: No Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score:   75
DxO Color Depth Score (bits):   23.4
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs):   13.0
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso):   785
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4000 x 3000 (12.0 MP, 4:3),
3264 x 2448 (8.0 MP, 4:3),
2592 x 1944 (5.0 MP, 4:3),
2048 x 1536 (3.1 MP, 4:3),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
1024 x 768 (0.8 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3),
3984 x 2656 (10.6 MP, 3:2),
3968 x 2232 (8.9 MP, 16:9),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
2992 x 2992 (9.0 MP, 1:1)
4912 x 3264 (16.0 MP, 3:2),
4912 x 2760 (13.6 MP, 16:9),
3568 x 2368 (8.4 MP, Other),
3568 x 2000 (7.1 MP, 16:9),
2448 x 1624 (4.0 MP, Other),
2448 x 1376 (3.4 MP, 16:9),
12416 x 1856 (23.0 MP, Other),
5536 x 2160 (12.0 MP, Other),
8192 x 1856 (15.2 MP, Other),
3872 x 2160 (8.4 MP, Other),
7152 x 1080 (7.7 MP, Other),
4912 x 1080 (5.3 MP, Other),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9)
Image File Format: JPEG JPEG, MPO, RAW (12-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 8.0 10.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (30/​15)
1280x720 (60/​30)
960x540 (30)
640x480 (120/​30)
320x240 (240)
1920x1080 (60p(PS)/​60i(FX)/​60i(FH)/​24p(FX)/​24p(FH))
1440x1080 (30p)
640x480 (30p)
Movie File Format: .MOV (H.264/MPEG-4) AVCHD 2.0/MP4 (Audio: Dolby Digital (AC-3)/MPEG-4 AAC-LC)
Composite Video Out: Yes No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: n/a Sony Alpha (Minolta A)
Lens: Zoom-Nikkor ED VR lens; 14 elements in 9 groups Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAM
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 23 - 810mm 27 - 83mm
Focal Length (actual): 4 - 144mm 18 - 55mm
Zoom Ratio: 36.00x 3.06x
Aperture Range: f/3.4 (wide) / f/5.7 (tele) - f/8 f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - 36 (T)
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 50 cm to Infinity
19.7 in to Infinity
25 cm to Infinity
9.8 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range: 1 cm to Infinity
0.4 in to Infinity
 
Filter Thread: n/a 55.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No No
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: Up to 4x Up to 2x Precision, Up to 2x Clear Image Zoom, 1.4x (8.4MP) or 2.0x (4MP) Smart Zoom
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Contrast Detect AF: Auto (9-area automatic selection), Center, Face priority, Manual with 99 focus areas, Subject tracking Phase Detection: 15 points (3 points cross type); Wide (auto, 15 points), Zone, Spot, Local; Enhanced Object Tracking
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: No Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: EVF / LCD EVF / LCD
Viewfinder Type: EVF type; 0.24 in. TFT LCD, approx. 230,000 dot with diopter adjustment EVF type; 1.1cm (0.43") 1.44M/1.25M-dot LCD (480K/418K-dot time-multiplexed RGB), 100% coverage, 1.04x/0.97x magnification, 23.1/25.2mm eyepoint, -4 to +3 diopter
Focus Peaking: No Yes
EVF Resolution:    
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):   0.69x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):   1.04x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 921,000 dots 921,600 dots (307,200 px)
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: Yes Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen:
Selfie Screen:
Max Playback Zoom: 10.0x 13.6x
Top Deck Display: No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):   16000
Minimum ISO (native):   100
ISO Settings: Auto (160 to 800), Fixed Range Auto (160 to 200, 160 to 400), High ISO Sensitivity Auto (ISO 160 to 1600) 160, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 Auto (100-3200), 100 - 16000; (Multi-frame NR mode up to ISO 25600)
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Cloudy, Flash, Preset Manual (Custom) Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent (4), Flash, Custom, Color Temp./ Filter (2500-9900K with 15-step Magenta/Green compensation)
Shutter Speed Range: 1/1500 - 8 sec 1/4000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: No Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: Matrix, Center weighted, Spot, Spot AF Area 1200-zone Evaluative, Center-weighted, Spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: 19 Scene modes including Advanced Night Landscape, Night Portrait, Portrait, Landscape, Sports, Party/Indoor, Beach, Snow, Sunset, Dusk/dawn, Close-up, Food, Museum, Fireworks show, Black and white copy, Panorama, Pet portrait; Easy Panorama Scene mode Portrait, SportsAction, Macro, Landscape, Sunset, Night scene, Hand-held Twilight (6 shot layering), Night Portrait; Sweep Panorama, 3D Sweep Panorama, Auto Portrait Framing, Picture Effect (Posterization (Color, B/W), Pop Color, Retro Photo, Partial Color (R,G,B,Y), High Contrast Monochrome, Toy Camera, Soft High-key, Soft Focus, HDR Painting, Rich-tone Monochrome, Miniature), Dynamic Range Optimizer (Off/Auto/Level),
Self Timer: 2 , 10, Smile seconds 2 or 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer): Yes  
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Flash off, Fill flash, Slow sync Auto, Off, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Wireless, High-Speed sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a 10.0 m / 32.8 ft.
Flash Range Description: [W]: 0.5 to 8.0 m (1 ft. 8 in. to 26 ft.) [T]: 2.2 to 4.5 m (7ft 3 in. to 14 ft.) Lens dependent
Max Flash Sync:   1/160
Flash Exposure Compensation:   +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: n/a Hot shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC / SDXC MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: No Yes
Uncompressed Format:   RAW (12-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format: .MOV (H.264/MPEG-4) AVCHD 2.0/MP4 (Audio: Dolby Digital (AC-3)/MPEG-4 AAC-LC)
Included Memory: 102.0 MB  
Included Memory Type: Internal  
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: No Yes
DPOF Compliant: No Yes
Remote Control: Yes
Remote Control Type:   Optional Wireless or Wired
Connections (extended): Mini HDMI with CEC Type-C Mini HDMI (BRAVIA Sync, PhotoTV HD); Wired Remote Terminal, 3.5mm External Stereo Micophone Jack, DC Input
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 1.57  
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):    
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 8.0 10.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 5 25
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):    
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):    
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.16 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, tele): 0.12 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus):    
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):    
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.012 seconds  
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time: 1.5 seconds  
Play -> Record Time:    
Flash cycle time, full power: 7.5 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 220 shots  
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):   550 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary EN-EL5 Proprietary
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary EN-EL5 Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software: Nikon ViewNX 2 CD-ROM Sony Software CD-ROM
OS Compatibility: Windows XP/Vista/7, MacOS-X 10.4.11+ Windows XP SP3/Vista SP2/7, Mac OS X (v.10.3 +)
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Tilting Hi-res LCD, 5-way VR Image Stabilization, Dual EXPEED C2 processors, full PASM, 19 Scene modes, full 1080p HD movies, HS movies up to 120 fps, HDMI output, Easy Panorama Scene mode, Advanced Night Landscape mode, Night Portrait mode, Smile Timer, Face Priority AF, Blink Warning, Red-eye Fix, Skin Softening, Best Shot Selector. Available in black or red. SteadyShot INSIDE Sensor-shift Image Stabilization (up to 4.5 EV correction), Full HD 1080p60 Video, Up to 12 fps Burst Mode (Tele-zoom Continuous Advance Priority AE), Enhanced Object Tracking AF, 2x Clear Image Digital Zoom, New Auto Portrait Framing, Tilting 921K-dot LCD, 1.44M-dot EVF.