- 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
- 14.1 megapixels
- 28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)
- Go in depth with our full Panasonic DMC-S3 Review.
- APS-C 369.7mm2
- 24.3 megapixels
- ISO 100 - 16,000
- Go in depth with our full Sony A77 Review.
- See real-world photos taken with the A77.
| Links | ||
|---|---|---|
| Prices: | Compare Prices | |
| Manufacturer URL: | Manufacturer website | Manufacturer website |
| Predecessor: | ||
| Successor: |
Sony A77 II
A77 vs A77 II |
|
| General | ||
| Model Number: | DMC-S3 | A77 |
| Alternate Model Number(s): | ||
| Camera Format: | Ultra Compact | SLR |
| Currently Manufactured: | No | No |
| Retail Price: | $129.95 | $1999.99 |
| Street Price: | $1,899.00 | |
| Date Available: | 2011-03-01 | 2011-10-15 |
| Tripod Mount: | Yes | Yes |
| Weight: |
4.1 oz
(117 g)
includes batteries |
48.1 oz
(1,363 g)
includes batteries, kit lens |
| Size: |
3.9 x
2.3 x
0.8 in. (99 x 59 x 21 mm) |
5.6 x
4.1 x
3.2 in. (143 x 104 x 81 mm) |
| Waterproof: | No | No |
| Waterproof Depth: | n/a | n/a |
| Image Sensor | ||
| Sensor Type: | CCD | CMOS |
| Sensor Manufacturer: | Sony | |
| Effective Megapixels: | 14.1 | 24.3 |
| Sensor Format: | 1/2.33 inch | APS-C |
| Sensor size: | 28.198mm2 (6.13mm x 4.6mm) | 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm) |
| Approximate Pixel Pitch: | 1.42 microns | 3.95 microns |
| Focal Length Multiplier: | n/a | 1.5x |
| Aspect Ratio: | 4:3, 16:9 | 3:2 |
| Color Filter Type: | RGBG | RGBG |
| Anti Aliasing Filter: | Fixed | |
| Self-Cleaning: | No | Yes |
| Sensor shift image stabilization: | No | Yes |
| On-Sensor Phase Detect: | No | No |
| DxO Sensor Score: | 78 | |
| DxO Color Depth Score (bits): | 24.0 | |
| DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): | 13.2 | |
| DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): | 801 | |
| Image Capture | ||
| Image Resolution: |
4320 x 3240
(14.0 MP,
4:3), 4320 x 2880 (12.4 MP, 3:2), 4320 x 2432 (10.5 MP, 16:9), 3648 x 2736 (10.0 MP, 4:3), 2560 x 1920 (4.9 MP, 4:3), 2048 x 1536 (3.1 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), 4240 x 2832 (12.0 MP, 3:2), 4240 x 2400 (10.2 MP, Other), 3008 x 2000 (6.0 MP, 3:2), 3008 x 1688 (5.1 MP, 16:9), 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), 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 (EXIF 2.3) | JPEG (EXIF 2.3), MPO (3D), 12-bit RAW (ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG |
| Continuous-mode frames/second: | 2.0 | 11.6 |
| Video Capture | ||
| Can take movies: | Yes | Yes |
| Movie Resolution: |
1280x720 (30)
640x480 (30) 320x240 (30) |
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: | QuickTime Motion JPEG | AVCHD 2.0 / MP4; Audio :Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC, stereo |
| Composite Video Out: | Yes | No |
| NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: | Yes | n/a |
| Video Usable as Viewfinder: | n/a | |
| HD Video Out: | No | Yes |
| HD Video Connection: | HDMI | |
| Lens & Optics | ||
| Lens Mount: | n/a | Sony Alpha (Minolta A) |
| Lens: | LEICA DC VARIO, 6 elements in 5 groups, 3 Aspherical | Sony 16-50mm f/2.8 DT SSM (SAL1650) |
| Focal Length (35mm equivalent): | 28 - 112mm | 24 - 75mm |
| Focal Length (actual): | 5 - 20mm | 16 - 50mm |
| Zoom Ratio: | 4.00x | 3.13x |
| Aperture Range: | f/3.1 - 9.0 (wide) / f/6.5 - 20.0 (tele) | f/2.8 - f/22 (W/T) |
| Integrated ND Filter: | No | No |
| Normal Focus Range: |
50 cm to Infinity 19.7 in to Infinity |
30 cm to Infinity 11.8 in to Infinity |
| Macro Focus Range: |
10 cm to Infinity 3.9 in to Infinity |
|
| Filter Thread: | n/a | n/a |
| Thread Type: | n/a | n/a |
| Optical Image Stabilization: | Yes | No |
| Digital Zoom: | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Zoom Values: | Up to 4x | 1.4x / 2x |
| Auto Focus | ||
| Auto Focus: | Yes | Yes |
| Auto Focus Type: | Contrast Detection: Face / 11 pt / 1pt | Phase Detection: 19 points (11 points cross type); Wide (auto, 19 points), Zone, Spot, Local |
| Auto Focus Assist Light? | Yes | Yes |
| Manual Focus: | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | ||
| Viewfinder: | LCD | EVF / LCD |
| Viewfinder Type: | EVF type; 1.3cm (0.5") 2,359K-dot OLED, 100% coverage, 1.09x mag., 22mm eyepoint, -4 to +3 diopter | |
| Focus Peaking: | No | Yes |
| EVF Resolution: | n/a | 2,359,000 dots |
| Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): | 0.73x | |
| Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): | 1.09x | |
| Display | ||
| Eye-level Viewfinder: | No | Yes |
| Rear Display: | Yes | Yes |
| Rear Display Size (inches): | 2.7 | 3.0 |
| Rear Display Resolution: | 230,000 dots | 921,600 dots (307,200 px) |
| Touchscreen: | No | No |
| Articulating Screen: | No | Yes |
| Tilt Swivel Screen: | No | Yes |
| Selfie Screen: | No | Yes |
| Max Playback Zoom: | 16.0x | 13.6x |
| Top Deck Display: | Yes | |
| Exposure | ||
| Maximum ISO (native): | 16000 | |
| Minimum ISO (native): | 100 | |
| ISO Settings: | Intelligent ISO; 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600; High Sensitivity Mode (1600-6400) | Auto (100-12800 with selectable limits), 50 (expanded), 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800, 16000. (Multi-frame NR mode up to ISO 25600) |
| Auto ISO Mode: | Yes | Yes |
| White Balance Settings: | Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Incandescent, White Set | 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: | 1/1600 - 8 sec | 1/8000 - 30 sec |
| Bulb Mode: | No | Yes |
| Exposure Compensation: | +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps | +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps |
| Metering Modes: | Intelligent Multiple | 1200-zone Evaluative, Center-weighted, Spot |
| Program Auto Exposure: | Yes | Yes |
| Aperture Priority: | No | Yes |
| Shutter Priority: | No | Yes |
| Full Manual Exposure: | No | Yes |
| Creative Exposure Modes: | Portrait, Soft Skin, Self-Portrait, Scenery, Panorama Assist, Sports, Night Portrait, Night Scenery, Food, Party, Baby, Sunset, High Sensitivity, Fireworks, Beach, Snow | Scene Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports Action, Sunset, Night Portrait, Night Scene, Hand-held Twilight, Auto HDR, Sweep Panorama (2D/3D) |
| Self Timer: | 2 or 10 seconds | 2, 10; 3 or 5 frames after 10 seconds |
| Time Lapse (intervalometer): | ||
| High Resolution Composite: | No | No |
| Flash | ||
| Built-in Flash: | Yes | Yes |
| Flash Modes: | Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off | Auto, Off, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Wireless, High-Speed sync (with external flash), Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off |
| Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): | n/a | 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. |
| Flash Range Description: | 0.4 - 3.3m (Wide/I.ISO), 1.0 - 1.6m (Tele/I.ISO) | GN=12(m) at ISO 100; Range is lens aperture dependent |
| Max Flash Sync: | 1/250 | |
| Flash Exposure Compensation: | +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps | |
| External Flash Connection: | n/a | Proprietary Hot Shoe, PC Sync Terminal |
| Built-In Wireless Flash Control: | Full TTL exposure | |
| 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 | No |
| RAW Capture Support: | No | Yes |
| Uncompressed Format: | 12-bit RAW (ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG | |
| Movie File Format: | QuickTime Motion JPEG | AVCHD 2.0 / MP4; Audio :Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC, stereo |
| Included Memory: | 70.0 MB | No memory included |
| Included Memory Type: | built-in memory | |
| 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 | No |
| External Connections: | USB 2.0 High Speed | USB 2.0 High Speed |
| PictBridge Compliant: | Yes | Yes |
| DPOF Compliant: | Yes | Yes |
| Remote Control: | No | Yes |
| Remote Control Type: | Optional Wireless or Wired | |
| Connections (extended): | Type-C HDMI Mini Connector (BRAVIA Sync, PhotoTV HD); Wired Remote Terminal, External Stereo Micophone Jack, DC Input | |
| Performance Timing | ||
| Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): | 0.42 | |
| Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): | 0.42 | |
| Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): | 5 | |
| Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): | 0.42 | |
| Camera penalizes early shutter press? | No | |
| JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): | 2.0 | 11.6 |
| Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): | Unlimited | 17 |
| RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): | 11.6 | |
| Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): | 14 | |
| RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): | 11.6 | |
| Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): | 13 | |
| Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): | 0.12 seconds | |
| Shutter lag (full AF, tele): | ||
| Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR): | ||
| Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR): | ||
| Shutter Lag (manual focus): | 0.085 seconds | |
| Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): | 0.33 seconds | |
| Shutter Lag (prefocused): | 0.054 seconds | |
| Shutter Lag (notes): | Full AF, Wide-area mode = 0.119s | |
| Startup Time: | 0.8 seconds | |
| Play -> Record Time: | 1.0 seconds | |
| Flash cycle time, full power: | 3.2 seconds | |
| Power | ||
| Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): | 250 shots | 530 shots |
| Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): | 470 shots | |
| Battery Life, Video: | ||
| Battery Form Factor: | Proprietary | Proprietary NP-FM500H |
| Usable Battery Types: | 3.6V, 660mAh Lithium-ion rechargeable | Lithium-ion rechargeable |
| Batteries Included: | 1 x Proprietary 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: | PHOTOfunSTUDIO 6.0 Edition, QuickTime, Adobe Reader | Software CD-ROM (includes Picture Motion Browser, Image Data Converter 4) |
| OS Compatibility: | Windows XP SP3/Vista SP2/7, Mac OS X (v.10.5 +); PMB is Windows only | |
| Miscellaneous | ||
| Notes & Features: | MEGA O.I.S. Optical Image Stabilization, Intelligent ISO, Face Detection, Intelligent Scene Selector. Available in blue, red, black and violet. | SteadyShot INSIDE Image Stabilization, Articulating LCD, 1080p HD Video, Auto+, Multi-frame NR, Hand-held Twilight, Auto HDR, Picture Effect, D-Range Optimizer, 2D/3D Sweep Panorama, Smile Shutter, DOF Preview, 12fps Burst Mode, Built-in GPS. |
