- 35mm 855.6mm2
- 24.3 megapixels
- ISO 100 - 25,600
- Go in depth with our full Sony A99 Review.
- See real-world photos taken with the A99.
| Links | ||
|---|---|---|
| Prices: | Compare Prices | |
| Manufacturer URL: | Manufacturer website | Manufacturer website |
| Predecessor: | ||
| Successor: |
Sony A99 II
A99 vs A99 II |
|
| General | ||
| Model Number: | E-PL3 | A99 |
| Alternate Model Number(s): | SLT-A99V | |
| Camera Format: | Compact System Camera | SLR |
| Currently Manufactured: | No | No |
| Retail Price: | $699.99 | $2799.99 |
| Street Price: | $1,998.00 | |
| Date Available: | 2011-09-15 | 2012-10-15 |
| Tripod Mount: | Yes | Yes |
| Weight: |
15.1 oz
(428 g)
includes batteries, kit lens |
29.2 oz
(828 g)
includes batteries |
| Size: |
4.3 x
2.5 x
1.5 in. (110 x 64 x 37 mm) |
5.8 x
4.4 x
3.1 in. (147 x 111 x 78 mm) |
| Waterproof: | No | No |
| Waterproof Depth: | n/a | n/a |
| Image Sensor | ||
| Sensor Type: | Live MOS | CMOS |
| Sensor Manufacturer: | Panasonic | Sony |
| Effective Megapixels: | 12.3 | 24.3 |
| Sensor Format: | 4/3 | 35mm |
| Sensor size: | 224.9mm2 (17.30mm x 13.00mm) | 855.62mm2 (35.80mm x 23.90mm) |
| Approximate Pixel Pitch: | 4.29 microns | 5.97 microns |
| Focal Length Multiplier: | 2.0x | 1.0x |
| Aspect Ratio: | 4:3 | 3:2 |
| Color Filter Type: | RGBG | RGBG |
| Anti Aliasing Filter: | Fixed | Fixed |
| Self-Cleaning: | Yes | Yes |
| Sensor shift image stabilization: | Yes | Yes |
| On-Sensor Phase Detect: | No | No |
| DxO Sensor Score: | 52 | 89 |
| DxO Color Depth Score (bits): | 20.9 | 25.0 |
| DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): | 10.3 | 14.0 |
| DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): | 499 | 1,555 |
| Image Capture | ||
| Image Resolution: |
4032 x 3024
(12.2 MP,
4:3), 3200 x 2400 (7.7 MP, 4:3), 2560 x 1920 (4.9 MP, 4:3), 1920 x 1440 (2.8 MP, 4:3), 1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3), 1280 x 960 (1.2 MP, 4:3), 1024 x 768 (0.8 MP, 4:3), 640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3) |
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) |
| Image File Format: | JPEG (EXIF 2.2), MPO (3D), 12-bit RAW (.ORF) | JPEG (EXIF 2.3), 14-bit RAW (ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG |
| Continuous-mode frames/second: | 5.3 | 5.9 |
| Video Capture | ||
| Can take movies: | Yes | Yes |
| Movie Resolution: |
1920x1080 (60i (20Mbps/17Mbps))
1280x720 (60p (17Mbps/13Mbps)) 1280x720 (30p) 640x480 (30p) |
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) |
| Movie File Format: | AVCHD, Motion JPEG | 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: | Micro Four Thirds | Sony Alpha (Minolta A) |
| Lens: | Olympus 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 II R MSC M.Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens | n/a |
| Focal Length (35mm equivalent): | 28 - 84mm | |
| Focal Length (actual): | 14 - 42mm | |
| Zoom Ratio: | 3.00x | |
| Aperture Range: | f/3.5 (wide) / f/5.6 (tele) - f/22 | |
| Integrated ND Filter: | No | No |
| Normal Focus Range: |
25 cm to Infinity 9.8 in to Infinity |
|
| Macro Focus Range: | ||
| Filter Thread: | 37.0mm | n/a |
| Thread Type: | n/a | n/a |
| Optical Image Stabilization: | No | No |
| Digital Zoom: | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Zoom Values: | 2x | 1.4x / 2x |
| Auto Focus | ||
| Auto Focus: | Yes | Yes |
| Auto Focus Type: | Contrast Detect: High-speed, 35-point with Face Detection and Tracking. Auto from all 35 area, Single area from 35 area, Group Target area (9 area) from 35 area, Up to 8 Faces Detected | 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 |
| Auto Focus Assist Light? | Yes | Yes |
| Manual Focus: | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | ||
| Viewfinder: | LCD | EVF / LCD |
| Viewfinder Type: | Optional EVF mounted in flash hotshoe | 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. |
| Focus Peaking: | No | Yes |
| EVF Resolution: | n/a | 2,359,000 dots |
| Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): | 0.71x | |
| Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): | 0.71x | |
| Display | ||
| Eye-level Viewfinder: | No | Yes |
| Rear Display: | Yes | Yes |
| Rear Display Size (inches): | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| Rear Display Resolution: | 460,000 dots (153,000 px) | 1,228,800 dots (307,200 px) |
| Touchscreen: | No | No |
| Articulating Screen: | Yes | Yes |
| Tilt Swivel Screen: | Yes | |
| Selfie Screen: | Yes | |
| Max Playback Zoom: | 14.0x | 16.7x |
| Top Deck Display: | No | Yes |
| Exposure | ||
| Maximum ISO (native): | 25600 | |
| Minimum ISO (native): | 100 | |
| ISO Settings: | Auto (customizable range), 200 - 12800 (1/3, 1 EV steps) | 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 Mode: | Yes | Yes |
| White Balance Settings: | Auto, Lamp, Fluorescent, Daylight, Flash, Cloudy, Shade, Underwater, Custom WB, One-touch WB | 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 |
| Shutter Speed Range: | 1/4000 - 60 sec | 1/8000 - 30 sec |
| Bulb Mode: | Yes | Yes |
| Exposure Compensation: | +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps | +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps |
| Metering Modes: | 324-zone Digital ESP, Center Weighted Average, Spot (~1%, with Highlight/Shadow modes) | 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: | Portrait, e-Portrait, Landscape, Landscape + Portrait, Macro, Sport, Night Scene, Night + Portrait, Children, High Key, Low Key, DIS mode, Nature Macro, Candle, Sunset, Document, Panorama, Fireworks, Beach & Snow, Fisheye Conv, Wide Conv, Macro Conv, 3D, Underwater wide, Underwater macro; Art Filters (Pop Art, Soft Focus, Grainy Film, Pin Hole, Diorama, Dramatic Tone) | Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports Action, Sunset, Night Portrait, Night Scene, Hand-held Twilight, Sweep Panorama, Telezoom Continuous Priority AE |
| Self Timer: | 2 or 12 seconds | 2, 10; 3 or 5 frames after 10s seconds |
| Time Lapse (intervalometer): | ||
| High Resolution Composite: | No | No |
| Flash | ||
| Built-in Flash: | No | No |
| Flash Modes: | Auto, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction slow sync., Slow sync at 1st curtain, Slow sync at 2nd curtain, Fill-in, Manual (Full, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32, 1/64), Off. Wireless flash control supported. | Auto, Off, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Wireless, High-Speed sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off |
| Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): | 7.0 m / 23.0 ft. | n/a |
| Flash Range Description: | Bundled external flash has GN of 7m (ISO 100) or 10m (ISO 200) | n/a |
| Max Flash Sync: | 1/160 | 1/250 |
| Flash Exposure Compensation: | +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps | +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps |
| External Flash Connection: | Hot shoe | Multi Interface Shoe, PC-Sync terminal |
| Built-In Wireless Flash Control: | ||
| Image Storage | ||
| Usable Memory Types: | SD / SDHC / SDXC | MS Duo / MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| UHS Support: | UHS-I | |
| Other Memory: | ||
| Dual Card Slots: | No | Yes |
| RAW Capture Support: | Yes | Yes |
| Uncompressed Format: | 12-bit RAW (.ORF) | 14-bit RAW (ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG |
| Movie File Format: | AVCHD, Motion JPEG | AVCHD 2.0 / MP4; Audio :Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC |
| Included Memory: | No memory included | No memory included |
| Included Memory Type: | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Built-In Wi-Fi: | No | No |
| NFC: | No | No |
| Bluetooth: | No | No |
| Built-In GPS: | No | Yes |
| Microphone Jack: | No | Yes |
| Headphone Jack: | No | Yes |
| External Connections: | USB 2.0 High Speed | USB 2.0 High Speed |
| PictBridge Compliant: | Yes | Yes |
| DPOF Compliant: | Yes | Yes |
| Remote Control: | Yes | Yes |
| Remote Control Type: | Optional RM-UC1 wired remote | Optional Wireless or Wired |
| Connections (extended): | Accessory Port 2, Multi Connector (USB/AV/Remote), Mini HDMI (Type C) | 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 |
| Performance Timing | ||
| Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): | 0.57 | 0.50 |
| Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): | 0.56 | 0.56 |
| Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): | 8 | Unlimited |
| Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): | 0.58 | |
| Camera penalizes early shutter press? | No | No |
| JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): | 5.3 | 5.9 |
| Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): | 9 | 17 |
| RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): | 5.9 | |
| Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): | 18 | |
| RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): | 5.9 | |
| Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): | 13 | |
| Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): | 0.24 seconds | 0.13 seconds |
| Shutter lag (full AF, tele): | ||
| Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR): | ||
| Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR): | ||
| Shutter Lag (manual focus): | 0.113 seconds | 0.081 seconds |
| Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): | 0.43 seconds | |
| Shutter Lag (prefocused): | 0.073 seconds | 0.055 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: | 2.1 seconds | 0.7 seconds |
| Play -> Record Time: | 0.6 seconds | 1.1 seconds |
| Flash cycle time, full power: | 4.9 seconds | |
| Power | ||
| Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): | 300 shots | 500 shots |
| Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): | 410 shots | |
| Battery Life, Video: | ||
| Battery Form Factor: | Proprietary BLS-1 or BLS-5 | Proprietary NP-FM500H |
| Usable Battery Types: | Lithium-ion rechargeable | Lithium-ion rechargeable |
| Batteries Included: | Proprietary BLS-1 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: | OLYMPUS Viewer 2/[ib] CD-ROM | Software CD-ROM (includes Picture Motion Browser, Image Data Converter 4, Remote Camera Control 3) |
| OS Compatibility: | Windows XP SP3/Vista SP2/7, Mac OS X (v.10.5 +); PMB is Windows only | |
| Miscellaneous | ||
| Notes & Features: | Sensor-shift Image Stabilization, 3-inch 460k-dot Tilting LCD, TruePic VI Image Processor, "FAST" AF System, Burst mode up to 5.5fps, Full HD movies, 6 Art Filters. External FL-LM1 flash bundled. Available in Black, White, Silver and Red. | 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. |
