- 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: | GXR | A99 |
| Alternate Model Number(s): | SLT-A99V | |
| Camera Format: | Other | SLR |
| Currently Manufactured: | No | No |
| Retail Price: | $1380.00 | $2799.99 |
| Street Price: | $1,998.00 | |
| Date Available: | 2009-12-31 | 2012-10-15 |
| Tripod Mount: | Yes | Yes |
| Weight: | 14.9 oz (423 g) |
29.2 oz
(828 g)
includes batteries |
| Size: |
4.5 x
2.8 x
3.0 in. (114 x 70 x 77 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: | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor Manufacturer: | Sony | |
| Effective Megapixels: | 12.3 | 24.3 |
| Sensor Format: | APS-C | 35mm |
| Sensor size: | 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm) | 855.62mm2 (35.80mm x 23.90mm) |
| Approximate Pixel Pitch: | 5.53 microns | 5.97 microns |
| Focal Length Multiplier: | n/a | 1.0x |
| Aspect Ratio: | 4:3 | 3:2 |
| Color Filter Type: | RGBG | |
| Anti Aliasing Filter: | Fixed | |
| Self-Cleaning: | No | Yes |
| Sensor shift image stabilization: | No | Yes |
| On-Sensor Phase Detect: | No | No |
| DxO Sensor Score: | 89 | |
| DxO Color Depth Score (bits): | 25.0 | |
| DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): | 14.0 | |
| DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): | 1,555 | |
| Image Capture | ||
| Image Resolution: |
4288 x 2848
(12.2 MP,
Other), 3776 x 2832 (10.7 MP, 4:3), 4288 x 2416 (10.4 MP, Other), 2848 x 2848 (8.1 MP, 1:1), 3456 x 2304 (8.0 MP, 3:2), 3072 x 2304 (7.1 MP, 4:3), 3456 x 1944 (6.7 MP, 16:9), 2304 x 2304 (5.3 MP, 1:1), 2592 x 1944 (5.0 MP, 4:3), 2048 x 1536 (3.1 MP, 4:3), 1280 x 960 (1.2 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 v2.21), .DNG Raw | JPEG (EXIF 2.3), 14-bit RAW (ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG |
| Continuous-mode frames/second: | 3.0 | 5.9 |
| Video Capture | ||
| Can take movies: | Yes | Yes |
| Movie Resolution: |
1280x720 (24)
640x480 (24) 320x240 (24) |
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: | AVI (OpenDML 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: | Ricoh GXR | Sony Alpha (Minolta A) |
| Lens: | n/a | n/a |
| Focal Length (35mm equivalent): | ||
| Focal Length (actual): | 33 - 50mm | |
| Zoom Ratio: | ||
| Aperture Range: | f/2.5 - f/22 | |
| Integrated ND Filter: | No | No |
| Normal Focus Range: |
30 cm to Infinity 11.8 in to Infinity |
|
| Macro Focus Range: |
7 cm to Infinity 2.8 in to Infinity |
|
| Filter Thread: | n/a | n/a |
| Thread Type: | n/a | n/a |
| Optical Image Stabilization: | No | No |
| Digital Zoom: | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Zoom Values: | 4x (3.6x for movies) | 1.4x / 2x |
| Auto Focus | ||
| Auto Focus: | Yes | Yes |
| Auto Focus Type: | Contrast detection multi / spot | 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? | No | Yes |
| Manual Focus: | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | ||
| Viewfinder: | LCD | EVF / 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. | |
| 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: | 920,000 dots | 1,228,800 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 | 16.7x |
| Top Deck Display: | Yes | |
| Exposure | ||
| Maximum ISO (native): | 25600 | |
| Minimum ISO (native): | 100 | |
| ISO Settings: | Auto, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 | 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: | No | Yes |
| White Balance Settings: | Auto, Multi-P AUTO, Outdoors, Cloudy, Incandescent Lamp, Fluorescent Lamp, Manual Setting | 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: | 1/3200 - 180 sec | 1/8000 - 30 sec |
| Bulb Mode: | No | Yes |
| Exposure Compensation: | +/- 4.0EV in 0.3EV steps | +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps |
| Metering Modes: | TTL by CCD, 256-segment multi, center-weighted or spot | 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: | Movie, portrait, sports, landscape, nightscape, skew correction | Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports Action, Sunset, Night Portrait, Night Scene, Hand-held Twilight, Sweep Panorama, Telezoom Continuous Priority AE |
| Self Timer: | 2 or 10 seconds | 2, 10; 3 or 5 frames after 10s seconds |
| Time Lapse (intervalometer): | Yes | |
| High Resolution Composite: | No | No |
| Flash | ||
| Built-in Flash: | Yes | No |
| Flash Modes: | Auto, red-eye, on, slow sync, manual (FULL, 1/1.4, 1/2, 1/2.8, 1/4, 1/5.6, 1/8, 1/11, 1/16, 1/22, 1/32, 1/64), off | Auto, Off, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Wireless, High-Speed sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off |
| Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): | n/a | n/a |
| Flash Range Description: | 20cm - 3m (ISO AUTO) | n/a |
| Max Flash Sync: | 1/250 | |
| Flash Exposure Compensation: | +/- 2.0 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 | 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: | .DNG Raw | 14-bit RAW (ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG |
| Movie File Format: | AVI (OpenDML Motion JPEG) | AVCHD 2.0 / MP4; Audio :Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC |
| Included Memory: | 86.0 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 | Yes |
| External Connections: | USB 2.0 High Speed | USB 2.0 High Speed |
| PictBridge Compliant: | No | Yes |
| DPOF Compliant: | No | Yes |
| Remote Control: | No | Yes |
| Remote Control Type: | Optional Wireless or Wired | |
| 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 | |
| Performance Timing | ||
| Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): | 0.50 | |
| 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 | |
| Camera penalizes early shutter press? | No | |
| JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): | 3.0 | 5.9 |
| Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): | 15 | 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): | 0.13 seconds | |
| Shutter lag (full AF, tele): | ||
| Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR): | ||
| Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR): | ||
| Shutter Lag (manual focus): | 0.081 seconds | |
| Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): | ||
| Shutter Lag (prefocused): | 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: | 0.7 seconds | |
| Play -> Record Time: | 1.1 seconds | |
| Flash cycle time, full power: | ||
| Power | ||
| Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): | 320 shots | 500 shots |
| Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): | 410 shots | |
| Battery Life, Video: | ||
| Battery Form Factor: | Proprietary DB-90 | Proprietary NP-FM500H |
| Usable Battery Types: | 3.6V Lithium-ion rechargeable | Lithium-ion rechargeable |
| Batteries Included: | 1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable | |
| Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): | No | Yes |
| Dedicated Battery Charger Included: | Yes | |
| Internal Charging Supported: | No | |
| Software | ||
| Included Software: | DL-10, Irodio Photo and Video Studio, Adobe Reader, VM-1 for Mac | Software CD-ROM (includes Picture Motion Browser, Image Data Converter 4, Remote Camera Control 3) |
| OS Compatibility: | Windows, Mac OS | Windows XP SP3/Vista SP2/7, Mac OS X (v.10.5 +); PMB is Windows only |
| Miscellaneous | ||
| Notes & Features: | Sensor and lens are interchangeable as one unit. Specs above are with the 12.3 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor and 33mm (50mm equivalent) fixed focal length lens. Also available is a 1/1.7" ten megapixel CCD sensor with 5.1-15.3mm (24-72mm equivalent) lens. With this combination, maximum aperture varies from f/2.5 to f/4.4 across the zoom range, macro shooting distance drops to 1cm, sensor shift image stabilization becomes available, fastest shutter speed falls to 1/2000 sec., minimum ISO sensitivity is expanded to 100, flash range is 20cm-4.5m at wide angle and 15cm to 2.7m at telephoto, zoom macro scene mode is added, noise reduction is automatically applied above ISO 800, burst rate drops to 1.6 frames per second, HD movie mode is dropped and framerate increases to 30fps, battery life increases to 410 shots, body depth drops to 44.4mm, and body-only weight falls to 325 grams. Price estimate is based on US street pricing at launch - $550 for the camera body plus $830 for the APS-C fixed lens block. The 1/1.7" zoom lens block is another $440. | 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. |
