• APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 14.8 megapixels
  • 28.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 35mm 855.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sigma DP1 Merrill
  • Sony Alpha SLT-A99
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Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor:   Sony A99 II
A99 vs A99 II
General
Model Number: DP1 Merrill A99
Alternate Model Number(s):   SLT-A99V
Camera Format: Mid-Sized SLR
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $799.00 $2799.99
Street Price: $849.00 $1,998.00
Date Available: 2012-09-15 2012-10-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 13.8 oz (391 g)
includes batteries
29.2 oz (828 g)
includes batteries
Size: 4.8 x 2.6 x 2.5 in.
(122 x 67 x 64 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: Foveon X3 Sony
Effective Megapixels: 14.8 24.3
Sensor Format: APS-C 35mm
Sensor size: 368.95mm2 (23.50mm x 15.70mm) 855.62mm2 (35.80mm x 23.90mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.00 microns 5.97 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: n/a 1.0x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 3:2
Color Filter Type: Full Color RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Not needed 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: 4704 x 3136 (14.8 MP, 3:2),
3264 x 2176 (7.1 MP, 3:2),
2336 x 1568 (3.7 MP, Other)
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, 12-bit RAW (.X3F), RAW+JPEG JPEG (EXIF 2.3), 14-bit RAW (ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 3.8 5.9
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 640x480 (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: AVI (Motion JPEG) with monaural sound 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: No Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: n/a Sony Alpha (Minolta A)
Lens: Sigma Lens; 9 elements in 8 groups n/a
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 28mm  
Focal Length (actual): 19mm  
Zoom Ratio: 1.00x  
Aperture Range: f/2.8 - f/16, with 9-bladed diaphragm  
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 100 cm to Infinity
39.4 in to Infinity
 
Macro Focus Range: 20 cm to Infinity
7.9 in to Infinity
 
Filter Thread: 49.0mm n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No No
Digital Zoom: No Yes
Digital Zoom Values: n/a 1.4x / 2x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Contrast Detection: 9 points select mode, Free move mode; possible to change size of focus frame (Spot, Regular, Large) 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: No / LCD EVF / LCD
Viewfinder Type: Optional add-on optical type VF-11. 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: 921,600 dots (307,200 px) 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: 10.0x 16.7x
Top Deck Display: No Yes
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 6400 25600
Minimum ISO (native): 100 100
ISO Settings: Auto (with programmable low and high limits), 100-6400 in 1 or 1/3 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, Sunlight, Shade, Overcast, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom 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: 1/2000 - 30 sec 1/8000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: No Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: Evaluative, center-weighted average, 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: No scene modes or effects. Note that maximum shutter speed varies with aperture. Top shutter speeds are 1/2000s at f/5.6-f/16, 1/1600s at f/4.0-f/16 and 1/1250s at f/2.8-f/16. 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: No No
Flash Modes: Normal, Redeye, Slow Sync., Redeye + Slow Sync (with compatible external flash unit) 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: n/a n/a
Max Flash Sync:   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: No UHS support UHS-I
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No Yes
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: 12-bit RAW (.X3F), RAW+JPEG 14-bit RAW (ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format: AVI (Motion JPEG) with monaural sound 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: No Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: No Yes
Remote Control Type:   Optional Wireless or Wired
Connections (extended): Combined USB/AV 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): 1.68 0.50
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 1.84 0.56
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 9 Unlimited
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): 1.88 0.58
Camera penalizes early shutter press? Yes No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 3.8 5.9
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 7 17
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 3.8 5.9
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): 7 18
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 3.8 5.9
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): 7 13
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.49 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): 0.081 seconds 0.081 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):    
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.043 seconds 0.055 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Full AF lag, Speed Priority AF mode = 0.424s Full AF lag, Wide-area AF mode = 0.125s Prefocused shutter lag with Electronic First Curtain Off = 0.108s
Startup Time: 2.9 seconds 0.7 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.8 seconds 1.1 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power:    
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 97 shots 500 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):   410 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary BP-41 Proprietary NP-FM500H
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 2 x Proprietary BP-41 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 Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No No
Software
Included Software: SIGMA Photo Pro 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: Update of DP1x with same 14.8MP x 3 Foveon X3 Full Color sensor used in the SD1, 3-inch 920K-dot LCD, and dual TRUE II processors. 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.