• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sony Alpha SLT-A55V
  • Nikon S1
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Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor:    
General
Model Number: A55 S1
Alternate Model Number(s): SLT-A55 (w/o GPS)  
Camera Format: SLR Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $849.99 $499.95
Street Price: $733.99 $199.00
Date Available: 2010-10-15 2013-02-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 25.6 oz (727 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
11.4 oz (323 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 4.9 x 3.6 x 3.3 in.
(124 x 92 x 85 mm)
4.0 x 2.4 x 1.2 in.
(102 x 61 x 30 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony Aptina
Effective Megapixels: 16.2 10.1
Sensor Format: APS-C 1 inch
Sensor size: 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm) 116.16mm2 (13.20mm x 8.80mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 4.82 microns 3.41 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x 2.7x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2, 16:9 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes No
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No Yes
DxO Sensor Score: 73 56
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 23.0 21.4
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 12.4 11.1
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 818 397
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)
3872 x 2592 (10.0 MP, Other),
2896 x 1944 (5.6 MP, Other),
1936 x 1296 (2.5 MP, Other),
3840 x 2160 (8.3 MP, 16:9),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
1280 x 720 (0.9 MP, 16:9),
3200 x 560 (1.8 MP, Other),
1024 x 3200 (3.3 MP, Other),
6400 x 560 (3.6 MP, Other),
1024 x 6400 (6.6 MP, Other)
Image File Format: JPEG, RAW (ARW 2.2), RAW+JPEG JPEG (Exif 2.3), 12-bit NEF RAW, RAW+JPG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 9.0 60.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (60i/​50i)
1440x1080 (30/​25)
640x480 (30/​25)
1920x1080 (60i/​30p)
1280x720 (60p/​30p)
640x240 (400)
320x120 (1200)
Movie File Format: AVCHD, MP4 MOV H.264/MPEG-4 AVC with AAC sound
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 1
Lens: Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAM 1 Nikkor 11-27.5mm f/3.5-5.6
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 27 - 83mm 30 - 74mm
Focal Length (actual): 18 - 55mm 11 - 27.5mm
Zoom Ratio: 3.00x 2.50x
Aperture Range: f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - ?? (T) f/3.5 (W)- f/5.6 (T) - f/16
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:   30 cm to Infinity
11.8 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: 55.0mm 40.5mm
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 Yes
Auto Focus Type: Phase Detection: 15 points (3 points cross type); Wide, Spot, Local. Hybrid autofocus (phase detection/contrast-detect AF); Single-point (135 focus areas, center 73 support phase-detect), auto-area (41 focus areas), subject tracking
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: EVF / LCD No / LCD
Viewfinder Type: EVF type; 1.1cm (0.43") 1,152Kdots, 100% coverage, 1.10x mag., 19mm eyepoint, -4 to +4 diopter  
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 No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 921,600 dots 460,000 dots
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 6400
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, 100-6400
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, incandescent, fluorescent, direct sunlight, flash, cloudy, shade, underwater, preset manual, all except preset manual with fine tuning
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 30 sec 1/16000 - 30 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 Matrix, Center-weighted (4.5mm), Spot (2mm)
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) Creative Mode includes Selective Color, Miniature, Soft, Night Landscape, Backlighting and Night Portrait.
Self Timer: 2 or 10 seconds 2, 5, 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Auto, Off, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Wireless, High-Speed sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off Fill flash, slow sync, red-eye reduction, slow sync with red-eye reduction, rear-curtain sync, rear curtain with slow sync
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 10.0 m / 32.8 ft. 5.0 m / 16.4 ft.
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent Lens dependent.
Max Flash Sync: 1/160 1/60
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps -3 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot shoe n/a
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 12-bit NEF RAW, RAW+JPG
Movie File Format: AVCHD, MP4 MOV H.264/MPEG-4 AVC with AAC sound
Included Memory:   0.0 MB
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 USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional Wireless or Wired  
Connections (extended): Type-C HDMI Mini Connector (BRAVIA Sync, PhotoTV HD); Wired Remote Terminal, 3.5mm External Stereo Micophone Jack HDMI out (Type C, Mini)
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 60.0
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:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NP-FW50 Proprietary EN-EL20
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NP-FW50 Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary EN-EL20 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software: Software CD-ROM (includes Picture Motion Browser, Image Data Converter SR, Image Data Lightbox SR) ViewNX 2 / Short Movie Creator CD-ROM
OS Compatibility: Windows XP SP3/Vista SP2/7, Mac OS X (v.10.3 +)  
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. Available in White, Black, Red, Pink or Khaki.