• APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 14.8 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 42.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sigma SD1 Merrill
  • Sony Alpha ILCA-A99 II
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Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:   Sony A99
A99 vs A99 II
Successor:    
General
Model Number: SD1 Merrill A99 II
Alternate Model Number(s): SD1 ILCA-99M2
Camera Format: Pro SLR Pro SLR
Currently Manufactured: Yes Yes
Retail Price: $2299.00 $3199.00
Street Price: $8,492.13 $3,198.00
Date Available: 2011-06-01 2016-11-30
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 28.1 oz (796 g)
includes batteries
29.9 oz (849 g)
Size: 5.7 x 4.5 x 3.1 in.
(146 x 114 x 80 mm)
5.6 x 4.1 x 3.0 in.
(143 x 104 x 76 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 42.4
Sensor Format: APS-C 35mm
Sensor size: 368.95mm2 (23.50mm x 15.70mm) 861.6mm2 (35.90mm x 24.00mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.00 microns 4.51 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x 1.0x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 3:2
Color Filter Type: Full Color RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Not needed None
Self-Cleaning: No Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No Yes
DxO Sensor Score:   92
DxO Color Depth Score (bits):   25.4
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs):   13.4
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso):   2,317
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)
7952 x 5304 (42.2 MP, 3:2),
5168 x 3448 (17.8 MP, 3:2),
3984 x 2656 (10.6 MP, 3:2),
7952 x 4472 (35.6 MP, 16:9),
5168 x 2912 (15.0 MP, Other),
3984 x 2240 (8.9 MP, 16:9),
5168 x 3448 (17.8 MP, 3:2),
3984 x 2656 (10.6 MP, 3:2),
2592 x 1728 (4.5 MP, 3:2),
5168 x 2912 (15.0 MP, Other),
3984 x 2240 (8.9 MP, 16:9),
2592 x 1456 (3.8 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)
Image File Format: JPEG, RAW (.X3F), RAW + JPEG JPEG, RAW (14-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 4.1 10.5
Video Capture
Can take movies: No Yes
Movie Resolution: 3840x2160 (30p/​25p/​24p)
1920x1080 (60p/​60i/​50p/​50i/​24p)
1280x720 (30p/​25p)
1920x1080 (120p/​100p)
Movie File Format:   XAVC S / AVCHD 2.0 / MP4; Audio: LPCM / 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: No n/a
HD Video Out: No Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Sigma SA bayonet Sony Alpha (Minolta A)
Lens: Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM n/a
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 26 - 75mm  
Focal Length (actual): 17 - 50mm  
Zoom Ratio: 2.90x  
Aperture Range: f/2.8 - f/22 (W/T)  
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 28 cm to Infinity
11.0 in to Infinity
 
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: 77.0mm n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes No
Digital Zoom: No Yes
Digital Zoom Values: n/a Up to 4x; up to 2x Clear Image Digital Zoom
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Phase-detection with 11-point Twin Cross AF Sensor; Single AF, Continuous AF (with AF motion prediction function), Manual TTL Phase-detection AF: Dedicated CCD line sensors: 79 points (15 cross-type points, F2.8- sensitive at the center point); Focal Plane Phase Detection: 399 points (323 selectable points, 79 hybrid-cross auto focus points*) * When Hybrid Phase Detection AF is activated
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD (playback only) EVF / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; Pentaprism, 98% coverage, 0.95x magnification, 18mm eyepoint, -3 to +1.5 diopter EVF: 1.3cm (0.5-inch) 2.4M-dot XGA color OLED, 100% coverage, 0.78x magnification, -4.0 to +3.0 diopter, eyepoint 23mm from the eyepiece lens/18.5mm from the eyepiece frame at -1 m-1 (CIPA standard), eye sensor
Focus Peaking: No Yes
EVF Resolution: n/a 2,359,296 dots (786,432 pixels)
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.63x 0.78x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.95x 0.78x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 460,000 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:   24.9x
Top Deck Display: No Yes
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 6400 25600
Minimum ISO (native): 100 100
ISO Settings: 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400 AUTO (ISO 100-6400, selectable lower limit and upper limit), ISO 100 - 25600, expandable to ISO 50 - 102400
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Overcast, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash and Custom Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent (4 settings), Flash, Custom, Color Temp./ Filter (2500-9900K with 57-step Magenta/Green compensation), Underwater
Shutter Speed Range: 1/8000 - 30 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: 77-segment Evaluative, Center-Weighted Average, Center Area, Spot Metering; EV 1 to 20 (50mm F1.4 : ISO100) 1200-zone Evaluative Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes:   3 Memory Recalls; Sweep Panorama; HDR: Auto Exposure Difference, Exposure difference Level (1-6 EV at 1.0 EV step),
Self Timer: 2 or 10 seconds 2, 5, 10; 3/5 shots after 2/5/10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes No
Flash Modes: S-TTL (17mm lens angle covered) Flash off, Auto flash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Hi-speed Sync, Wireless; Red-eye reduction: On/Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 11.0 m / 36.1 ft. n/a
Flash Range Description: Lens aperture dependent. n/a
Max Flash Sync: 1/180 1/250
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot Shoe, PC Sync socket Multi Interface Hot Shoe, PC-Sync Terminal
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:   No
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: CF1 MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   UHS-I
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No Yes
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW (.X3F), RAW + JPEG RAW (14-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format:   XAVC S / AVCHD 2.0 / MP4; Audio: LPCM / Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC, stereo
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No Yes
NFC: No Yes
Bluetooth: No Yes
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No Yes
Headphone Jack: No Yes
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed,Bluetooth,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: No No
DPOF Compliant: No Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional RS-31 IR Wireless, CR-21 Wired Optional wired, infrared or via Wi-Fi
Connections (extended): Wired Remote, DC Input jacks Multi-Terminal Micro USB (with remote support), Type-D Micro HDMI (can output up to 4K/30p 8-bit 4:2:2) ; Microphone and Headphone jacks, DC input terminal
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.78 <0.3
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.78  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 7  
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):   <0.3
Camera penalizes early shutter press? Yes No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 4.1 10.5
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 7 61
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   11.1
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):   25
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   10.6
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):   24
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.38 seconds 0.11 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.244 seconds 0.113 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.52 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.088 seconds 0.052 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Full Autofocus Lag: Auto Area AF = 0.466s  
Startup Time: 4.5 seconds 1.2 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.5 seconds 1.0 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power:    
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   490 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):   390 shots
Battery Life, Video:   135 minutes
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary BP-21 Proprietary
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary BP-21 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: Sigma Photo Pro 5.0 Capture One Express (for Sony) free download
OS Compatibility:    
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: 46-megapixel 23.5 x 15.7mm APS-C full-color sensor, weather-resistant magnesium alloy body, dual "TRUE II" image processing engines, 11-point Twin Cross AF sensor, CompactFlash Type 1 with UDMA support.