- 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.
Links | ||
---|---|---|
Prices: | ||
Manufacturer URL: | Manufacturer website | Manufacturer website |
Predecessor: |
Nikon D5
D5 vs D6 |
|
Successor: | ||
General | ||
Model Number: | A55 | D6 |
Alternate Model Number(s): | SLT-A55 (w/o GPS) | |
Camera Format: | SLR | Pro SLR |
Currently Manufactured: | No | Yes |
Retail Price: | $849.99 | $6499.95 |
Street Price: | $733.99 | |
Date Available: | 2010-10-15 | 2020-05-21 |
Tripod Mount: | Yes | Yes |
Weight: |
25.6 oz
(727 g)
includes batteries, kit lens |
44.8 oz (1,270 g) |
Size: |
4.9 x
3.6 x
3.3 in. (124 x 92 x 85 mm) |
6.3 x
6.4 x
3.6 in. (160 x 163 x 92 mm) |
Waterproof: | No | No |
Waterproof Depth: | n/a | n/a |
Image Sensor | ||
Sensor Type: | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor Manufacturer: | Sony | |
Effective Megapixels: | 16.2 | 20.8 |
Sensor Format: | APS-C | 35mm |
Sensor size: | 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm) | 858.01mm2 (35.90mm x 23.90mm) |
Approximate Pixel Pitch: | 4.82 microns | 6.45 microns |
Focal Length Multiplier: | 1.5x | 1.0x |
Aspect Ratio: | 3:2, 16:9 | 3:2 |
Color Filter Type: | RGBG | RGBG |
Anti Aliasing Filter: | Fixed | Fixed |
Self-Cleaning: | Yes | Yes |
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) |
5568 x 3712
(20.7 MP,
3:2), 4176 x 2784 (11.6 MP, 3:2), 2784 x 1856 (5.2 MP, 3:2), 4640 x 3088 (14.3 MP, 3:2), 3472 x 2312 (8.0 MP, 3:2), 2320 x 1544 (3.6 MP, 3:2), 4640 x 3712 (17.2 MP, 5:4), 3472 x 2784 (9.7 MP, 5:4), 2320 x 1856 (4.3 MP, 5:4), 3648 x 2432 (8.9 MP, 3:2), 2736 x 1824 (5.0 MP, 3:2), 1824 x 1216 (2.2 MP, 3:2) |
Image File Format: | JPEG, RAW (ARW 2.2), RAW+JPEG | JPEG, NEF (RAW): 12 or 14 bit, lossless compressed, compressed, or uncompressed, L/M/S; RAW+JPEG |
Continuous-mode frames/second: | 9.0 | n/a |
Video Capture | ||
Can take movies: | Yes | Yes |
Movie Resolution: |
1920x1080 (60i/50i)
1440x1080 (30/25) 640x480 (30/25) |
3840x2160 (30p/25p/24p)
1920x1080 (60p/50p/30p/25p/24p) 1280x720 (60p/50p) |
Movie File Format: | AVCHD, MP4 | MOV (Video: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC; Audio: Stereo Linear PCM) |
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 | Yes |
HD Video Connection: | HDMI | HDMI |
Lens & Optics | ||
Lens Mount: | Sony Alpha (Minolta A) | Nikon F |
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) | |
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 | Yes |
Digital Zoom: | No | |
Digital Zoom Values: | n/a | |
Auto Focus | ||
Auto Focus: | Yes | Yes |
Auto Focus Type: | Phase Detection: 15 points (3 points cross type); Wide, Spot, Local. | Nikon Advanced Multi-CAM 20K autofocus sensor module with TTL phase detection and fine-tuning: 153 focus points (including 99 cross-type sensors and 15 sensors that support f/8), of which 55 (35 cross-type sensors and 9 f/8 sensors) are available for selection; Contrast-detect AF in Live View mode |
Auto Focus Assist Light? | Yes | No |
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 | SLR; eye-level pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.72x magnification, 17mm eyepoint, -3 to +1 diopter; Type B BriteView Clear Matte Mark X screen with AF area brackets (framing grid can be displayed) |
Focus Peaking: | No | No |
EVF Resolution: | n/a | |
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): | 0.73x | |
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): | 1.10x | |
Display | ||
Eye-level Viewfinder: | Yes | Yes |
Rear Display: | Yes | Yes |
Rear Display Size (inches): | 3.0 | 3.2 |
Rear Display Resolution: | 921,600 dots | 2,359,000 dots (589,750 px) |
Touchscreen: | No | Yes |
Articulating Screen: | Yes | No |
Tilt Swivel Screen: | No | |
Selfie Screen: | No | |
Max Playback Zoom: | 11.8x | |
Top Deck Display: | No | Yes |
Exposure | ||
Maximum ISO (native): | 12800 | 102400 |
Minimum ISO (native): | 100 | 100 |
ISO Settings: | Auto (100-1600), 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800. (Multi-frame NR mode up to ISO 25600) | Auto, ISO 100 - 102,400, expandable to ISO 50 in Lo-1 to ISO 3,276,800 in Hi-5 |
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) | Auto (3 types), incandescent, fluorescent (7 types), direct sunlight, flash, cloudy, shade, preset manual (up to 6 values can be stored), choose color temperature (2,500K-10,000K), all with fine-tuning |
Shutter Speed Range: | 1/4000 - 30 sec | 1/8000 - 900 sec |
Bulb Mode: | Yes | Yes |
Exposure Compensation: | +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps | +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps |
Metering Modes: | 1200-zone Evaluative, Center-weighted, Spot | TTL exposure metering using approximately 180K (180,000) pixel RGB sensor; Matrix: 3D Color Matrix Metering III (type G, E, and D lenses); Color Matrix Metering III (other CPU lenses); Color Matrix Metering available with non-CPU lenses if user provides lens data; Center-weighted: Weight of 75% given to 12mm circle in center of frame. Diameter of circle can be changed to 8, 15, or 20mm, or weighting can be based on average of entire frame (non-CPU lenses use 12mm circle); Spot: Meters 4mm circle (about 1.5% of frame) centered on selected focus point; Highlight-weighted: Available with type G, E, and D lenses; equivalent to center-weighted when non-CPU lens is used |
Program Auto Exposure: | Yes | Yes |
Aperture Priority: | Yes | Yes |
Shutter Priority: | Yes | Yes |
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) | None |
Self Timer: | 2 or 10 seconds | 2/5/10/20s; 1-9 exposures at intervals of 0.5, 1, 2, or 3 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 | Front curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync, Auto FP High-Speed Sync supported |
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 | 1/250 |
Flash Exposure Compensation: | +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps | -3 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps |
External Flash Connection: | Hot shoe | ISO 519 sync terminal with locking thread |
Built-In Wireless Flash Control: | Full TTL exposure | No |
Image Storage | ||
Usable Memory Types: | MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC | XQD / CFexpress |
UHS Support: | No UHS support | |
Other Memory: | ||
Dual Card Slots: | No | Yes |
RAW Capture Support: | Yes | Yes |
Uncompressed Format: | RAW (ARW 2.2), RAW+JPEG | NEF (RAW): 12 or 14 bit, lossless compressed, compressed, or uncompressed, L/M/S; RAW+JPEG |
Movie File Format: | AVCHD, MP4 | MOV (Video: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC; Audio: Stereo Linear PCM) |
Included Memory: | No memory included | |
Included Memory Type: | ||
Connectivity | ||
Built-In Wi-Fi: | No | No |
NFC: | No | |
Bluetooth: | No | Yes |
Built-In GPS: | Yes | Yes |
Microphone Jack: | Yes | Yes |
Headphone Jack: | No | Yes |
External Connections: | USB 2.0 High Speed | USB 3.0 Super Speed,Ethernet,Bluetooth |
PictBridge Compliant: | Yes | Yes |
DPOF Compliant: | Yes | Yes |
Remote Control: | Yes | Yes |
Remote Control Type: | Optional Wireless or Wired | Optional wired, wireless |
Connections (extended): | Type-C HDMI Mini Connector (BRAVIA Sync, PhotoTV HD); Wired Remote Terminal, 3.5mm External Stereo Micophone Jack | Type-C Mini HDMI with uncompressed video support, 10-pin Remote Terminal |
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 | |
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): | 32 | |
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: | 110 minutes | |
Battery Form Factor: | Proprietary NP-FW50 | Proprietary EN-EL18c |
Usable Battery Types: | Lithium-ion rechargeable | Lithium-ion rechargeable |
Batteries Included: | 1 x Proprietary NP-FW50 Lithium-ion rechargeable | 1 x Proprietary EN-EL18c 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) | ViewNX-i, ViewNX-Movie Editor, Capture NX-D, Nikon Transfer 2, Picture Control Utility 2 downloads |
OS Compatibility: | Windows XP SP3/Vista SP2/7, Mac OS X (v.10.3 +) | Windows 7/8/10, Mac OS X 10.9.5-10.11.5 |
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. |