- APS-C 369.7mm2
- 16.2 megapixels
- ISO 100 - 12,800
- Go in depth with our full Sony A55 Review.
- See real-world photos taken with the A55.
- 35mm 855.6mm2
- 24.0 megapixels
- ISO 320 - 25,000
- Go in depth with our full Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246) Review.
| Links | ||
|---|---|---|
| Prices: | Compare Prices | |
| Manufacturer URL: | Manufacturer website | Manufacturer website |
| Predecessor: | ||
| Successor: | ||
| General | ||
| Model Number: | A55 | M Monochrom (Typ 246) |
| Alternate Model Number(s): | SLT-A55 (w/o GPS) | |
| Camera Format: | SLR | Rangefinder |
| Currently Manufactured: | No | Yes |
| Retail Price: | $849.99 | $7450.00 |
| Street Price: | $733.99 | $7,595.00 |
| Date Available: | 2010-10-15 | 2015-05-07 |
| Tripod Mount: | Yes | Yes |
| Weight: |
25.6 oz
(727 g)
includes batteries, kit lens |
24.0 oz
(680 g)
includes batteries |
| Size: |
4.9 x
3.6 x
3.3 in. (124 x 92 x 85 mm) |
5.5 x
3.1 x
1.7 in. (139 x 80 x 42 mm) |
| Waterproof: | No | No |
| Waterproof Depth: | n/a | n/a |
| Image Sensor | ||
| Sensor Type: | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor Manufacturer: | Sony | |
| Effective Megapixels: | 16.2 | 24.0 |
| Sensor Format: | APS-C | 35mm |
| Sensor size: | 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm) | 855.62mm2 (35.80mm x 23.90mm) |
| Approximate Pixel Pitch: | 4.82 microns | 6.01 microns |
| Focal Length Multiplier: | 1.5x | 1.0x |
| Aspect Ratio: | 3:2, 16:9 | 3:2 |
| Color Filter Type: | RGBG | None |
| Anti Aliasing Filter: | Fixed | None |
| Self-Cleaning: | Yes | No |
| Sensor shift image stabilization: | Yes | No |
| On-Sensor Phase Detect: | No | No |
| DxO Sensor Score: | 73 | |
| DxO Color Depth Score (bits): | 23.0 | |
| DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): | 12.4 | |
| DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): | 818 | |
| Image Capture | ||
| Image Resolution: |
4912 x 3264
(16.0 MP,
3:2), 4912 x 2760 (13.6 MP, 16:9), 3568 x 2368 (8.4 MP, Other), 3568 x 2000 (7.1 MP, 16:9), 2448 x 1624 (4.0 MP, Other), 2448 x 1376 (3.4 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) |
5952 x 3968
(23.6 MP,
3:2), 4256 x 2832 (12.1 MP, 3:2), 2976 x 1984 (5.9 MP, 3:2), 1600 x 1072 (1.7 MP, Other) |
| Image File Format: | JPEG, RAW (ARW 2.2), RAW+JPEG | JPEG, .DNG RAW (14-bit, compressed or uncompressed), RAW+JPEG |
| Continuous-mode frames/second: | 9.0 | 3.0 |
| Video Capture | ||
| Can take movies: | Yes | Yes |
| Movie Resolution: |
1920x1080 (60i/50i)
1440x1080 (30/25) 640x480 (30/25) |
1920x1080 (25p/24p)
1280x720 (25p/24p) |
| Movie File Format: | AVCHD, MP4 | QuickTime Motion JPEG (MOV); built-in mic is mono, but external stereo mic adapter available |
| Composite Video Out: | No | No |
| NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: | n/a | n/a |
| Video Usable as Viewfinder: | n/a | n/a |
| HD Video Out: | Yes | No |
| HD Video Connection: | HDMI | |
| Lens & Optics | ||
| Lens Mount: | Sony Alpha (Minolta A) | Leica M bayonet |
| Lens: | Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAM | n/a |
| Focal Length (35mm equivalent): | 27 - 83mm | |
| Focal Length (actual): | 18 - 55mm | |
| Zoom Ratio: | 3.00x | |
| Aperture Range: | f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - ?? (T) | Varies with lens used |
| Integrated ND Filter: | No | No |
| Normal Focus Range: | ||
| Macro Focus Range: | ||
| Filter Thread: | 55.0mm | n/a |
| Thread Type: | n/a | n/a |
| Optical Image Stabilization: | No | No |
| Digital Zoom: | No | No |
| Digital Zoom Values: | n/a | n/a |
| Auto Focus | ||
| Auto Focus: | Yes | No |
| Auto Focus Type: | Phase Detection: 15 points (3 points cross type); Wide, Spot, Local. | N/A (Manual focus with OVF/Live View with magnification, focus peaking) |
| Auto Focus Assist Light? | Yes | n/a |
| Manual Focus: | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | ||
| Viewfinder: | EVF / LCD | Optical / LCD |
| Viewfinder Type: | EVF type; 1.1cm (0.43") 1,152Kdots, 100% coverage, 1.10x mag., 19mm eyepoint, -4 to +4 diopter | Non-TTL bright-line frame rangefinder w/ automatic parallax compensation, 0.68x magnification, calibrated to -0.5 dpt (corrective lenses from -3 to +3 diopter available); Optional Visoflex EVF-2 Electronic Viewfinder |
| Focus Peaking: | No | Yes |
| EVF Resolution: | n/a | |
| Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): | 0.73x | 0.68x |
| Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): | 1.10x | 0.68x |
| Display | ||
| Eye-level Viewfinder: | Yes | Yes |
| Rear Display: | Yes | Yes |
| Rear Display Size (inches): | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| Rear Display Resolution: | 921,600 dots | 921,600 dots (307,200 px) |
| Touchscreen: | No | No |
| Articulating Screen: | Yes | No |
| Tilt Swivel Screen: | No | |
| Selfie Screen: | No | |
| Max Playback Zoom: | 11.8x | |
| Top Deck Display: | No | No |
| Exposure | ||
| Maximum ISO (native): | 12800 | 25000 |
| Minimum ISO (native): | 100 | 320 |
| ISO Settings: | Auto (100-1600), 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800. (Multi-frame NR mode up to ISO 25600) | Auto, ISO 320 to 25000 in 1/3 EV steps |
| Auto ISO Mode: | Yes | Yes |
| White Balance Settings: | Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom, Color Temp./ Filter (2500 – 9900K with 19-step Magenta/Green compensation) | None |
| Shutter Speed Range: | 1/4000 - 30 sec | 1/4000 - 60 sec |
| Bulb Mode: | Yes | Yes |
| Exposure Compensation: | +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps | +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps |
| Metering Modes: | 1200-zone Evaluative, Center-weighted, Spot | OVF: TTL Center-weighted with working aperture; Live view: TTL Multi, Center-weighted, Spot |
| Program Auto Exposure: | Yes | No |
| Aperture Priority: | Yes | Yes |
| Shutter Priority: | Yes | No |
| Full Manual Exposure: | Yes | Yes |
| Creative Exposure Modes: | Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports action, Sunset, Night portrait, Night view, Hand-held Twilight, Sweep Panorama (2D/3D) | B&W capture only; Filters available including new yellow, orange and green filters. |
| Self Timer: | 2 or 10 seconds | 2 or 12 seconds |
| Time Lapse (intervalometer): | ||
| High Resolution Composite: | No | No |
| Flash | ||
| Built-in Flash: | Yes | No |
| Flash Modes: | Auto, Off, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Wireless, High-Speed sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off | Control with center-weighted TTL pre-flash metering (with SCA-3501/3502 adapter, or SCA-3000 standard flash unit such as Leica SF 24D/Leica SF 58); First or second curtain sync. |
| Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): | 10.0 m / 32.8 ft. | n/a |
| Flash Range Description: | Lens dependent | n/a |
| Max Flash Sync: | 1/160 | 1/180 |
| Flash Exposure Compensation: | +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps | +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps |
| External Flash Connection: | Hot shoe | SCA-3502 compatible hot shoe, with center contact |
| Built-In Wireless Flash Control: | Full TTL exposure | |
| Image Storage | ||
| Usable Memory Types: | MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| UHS Support: | ||
| Other Memory: | ||
| Dual Card Slots: | No | No |
| RAW Capture Support: | Yes | Yes |
| Uncompressed Format: | RAW (ARW 2.2), RAW+JPEG | .DNG RAW (14-bit, compressed or uncompressed), RAW+JPEG |
| Movie File Format: | AVCHD, MP4 | QuickTime Motion JPEG (MOV); built-in mic is mono, but external stereo mic adapter available |
| Included Memory: | No memory included | |
| Included Memory Type: | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Built-In Wi-Fi: | No | No |
| NFC: | No | |
| Bluetooth: | No | No |
| Built-In GPS: | Yes | No |
| Microphone Jack: | Yes | No |
| Headphone Jack: | No | No |
| External Connections: | USB 2.0 High Speed | |
| PictBridge Compliant: | Yes | No |
| DPOF Compliant: | Yes | No |
| Remote Control: | Yes | Yes |
| Remote Control Type: | Optional Wireless or Wired | Threaded cable release |
| Connections (extended): | Type-C HDMI Mini Connector (BRAVIA Sync, PhotoTV HD); Wired Remote Terminal, 3.5mm External Stereo Micophone Jack | Accessory port, contact strip for Multifunction Hand Grip M |
| Performance Timing | ||
| Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): | 0.52 | |
| Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): | 0.52 | |
| Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): | 28 | |
| Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): | ||
| Camera penalizes early shutter press? | No | |
| JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): | 9.0 | 3.0 |
| Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): | 32 | 30 |
| RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): | ||
| Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): | ||
| RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): | ||
| Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): | ||
| Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): | 0.22 seconds | |
| Shutter lag (full AF, tele): | ||
| Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR): | ||
| Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR): | ||
| Shutter Lag (manual focus): | 0.214 seconds | |
| Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): | 0.48 seconds | |
| Shutter Lag (prefocused): | 0.103 seconds | |
| Shutter Lag (notes): | Full AF, wide-area mode = 0.218s | |
| Startup Time: | 0.9 seconds | |
| Play -> Record Time: | 0.6 seconds | |
| Flash cycle time, full power: | 3.7 seconds | |
| Power | ||
| Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): | ||
| Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): | 330 shots | |
| Battery Life, Video: | ||
| Battery Form Factor: | Proprietary NP-FW50 | Proprietary 7.4v 1800mAh |
| Usable Battery Types: | Lithium-ion rechargeable | Lithium-ion rechargeable |
| Batteries Included: | 1 x Proprietary NP-FW50 Lithium-ion rechargeable | 1 x Proprietary 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: | Software CD-ROM (includes Picture Motion Browser, Image Data Converter SR, Image Data Lightbox SR) | Free download of Adobe Lightroom for registered owners |
| OS Compatibility: | Windows XP SP3/Vista SP2/7, Mac OS X (v.10.3 +) | Windows Vista SP2 /7/ 8; Mac OS X (10.5 or higher) |
| Miscellaneous | ||
| Notes & Features: | SteadyShot INSIDE Image Stabilization, Articulating LCD, 1080i HD Video, Multi-frame NR, Hand-held Twilight, Auto HDR, D-Range Optimizer, 2D/3D Sweep Panorama, Smile Shutter, DOF Preview, 10fps Burst Mode, Built-in GPS. SLT-A55 is identical but without GPS. | Captures black and white stills and video with no interpolation. Finished in black chrome. |
