| Links | ||
|---|---|---|
| Prices: | Compare Prices | |
| Manufacturer URL: | Manufacturer website | Manufacturer website |
| Predecessor: |
Panasonic GM1
GM1 vs GM5 |
|
| Successor: | ||
| General | ||
| Model Number: | A55 | GM5 |
| Alternate Model Number(s): | SLT-A55 (w/o GPS) | |
| Camera Format: | SLR | Compact System Camera |
| Currently Manufactured: | No | No |
| Retail Price: | $849.99 | $899.00 |
| Street Price: | $733.99 | $897.99 |
| Date Available: | 2010-10-15 | 2014-11-15 |
| Tripod Mount: | Yes | Yes |
| Weight: |
25.6 oz
(727 g)
includes batteries, kit lens |
10.4 oz
(294 g)
includes batteries, kit lens |
| Size: |
4.9 x
3.6 x
3.3 in. (124 x 92 x 85 mm) |
3.9 x
2.3 x
1.4 in. (99 x 60 x 36 mm) |
| Waterproof: | No | No |
| Waterproof Depth: | n/a | n/a |
| Image Sensor | ||
| Sensor Type: | CMOS | Live MOS |
| Sensor Manufacturer: | Sony | Panasonic |
| Effective Megapixels: | 16.2 | 16.0 |
| Sensor Format: | APS-C | 4/3 |
| Sensor size: | 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm) | 224.9mm2 (17.30mm x 13.00mm) |
| Approximate Pixel Pitch: | 4.82 microns | 3.77 microns |
| Focal Length Multiplier: | 1.5x | 2.0x |
| Aspect Ratio: | 3:2, 16:9 | 4:3 |
| 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 | 66 |
| DxO Color Depth Score (bits): | 23.0 | 22.1 |
| DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): | 12.4 | 11.7 |
| DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): | 818 | 721 |
| 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) |
4592 x 3448
(15.8 MP,
4:3), 4592 x 3064 (14.1 MP, 3:2), 4592 x 2584 (11.9 MP, 16:9), 3424 x 3424 (11.7 MP, 1:1), 3232 x 2424 (7.8 MP, 4:3), 3232 x 2160 (7.0 MP, 3:2), 3232 x 1824 (5.9 MP, Other), 2416 x 2416 (5.8 MP, 1:1), 2272 x 1704 (3.9 MP, 4:3), 2272 x 1520 (3.5 MP, Other), 1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9), 1712 x 1712 (2.9 MP, 1:1), 1824 x 1368 (2.5 MP, 4:3), 1824 x 1216 (2.2 MP, 3:2), 1824 x 1024 (1.9 MP, 16:9), 1712 x 1712 (2.9 MP, 1:1) |
| Image File Format: | JPEG, RAW (ARW 2.2), RAW+JPEG | JPEG (EXIF 2.3), RAW (RW2), RAW+JPEG |
| Continuous-mode frames/second: | 9.0 | 5.7 |
| Video Capture | ||
| Can take movies: | Yes | Yes |
| Movie Resolution: |
1920x1080 (60i/50i)
1440x1080 (30/25) 640x480 (30/25) |
1920x1080 (60p/60i/30p/24p)
1280x720 (30p) 640x480 (30p) |
| Movie File Format: | AVCHD, MP4 | AVCHD (Audio format: Dolby Digital 2ch) / MP4 (Audio format AAC 2ch) |
| Composite Video Out: | No | Yes |
| NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: | n/a | No |
| Video Usable as Viewfinder: | n/a | No |
| HD Video Out: | Yes | Yes |
| HD Video Connection: | HDMI | HDMI |
| Lens & Optics | ||
| Lens Mount: | Sony Alpha (Minolta A) | Micro Four Thirds |
| Lens: | Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAM | Panasonic LUMIX G VARIO 12-32mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. MEGA O.I.S. (H-FS12032); 8 elements in 7 groups (3 aspherical lenses, 1 ED) |
| Focal Length (35mm equivalent): | 27 - 83mm | 24 - 64mm |
| Focal Length (actual): | 18 - 55mm | 12 - 32mm |
| Zoom Ratio: | 3.00x | 2.67x |
| Aperture Range: | f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - ?? (T) | f/3.5 (wide) / f/5.6 (tele) - f/22; 7 diaphragm blades (circular) |
| Integrated ND Filter: | No | No |
| Normal Focus Range: |
20 cm to Infinity 7.9 in to Infinity |
|
| Macro Focus Range: | ||
| Filter Thread: | 55.0mm | 37.0mm |
| Thread Type: | n/a | n/a |
| Optical Image Stabilization: | No | Yes |
| Digital Zoom: | No | Yes |
| Digital Zoom Values: | n/a | 2x, 4x |
| Auto Focus | ||
| Auto Focus: | Yes | Yes |
| Auto Focus Type: | Phase Detection: 15 points (3 points cross type); Wide, Spot, Local. | Contrast Detection: Face detection, AF Tracking, 23-area-focusing, 1-area-focusing, Pinpoint; Quick AF, Continuous AF, AF+MF, Eye Sensor AF, Touch AF/AE Function, Touch Pad AF, Touch shutter, Touch MF Assist |
| Auto Focus Assist Light? | Yes | Yes |
| Manual Focus: | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | ||
| Viewfinder: | EVF / LCD | EVF / LCD |
| Viewfinder Type: | EVF type; 1.1cm (0.43") 1,152Kdots, 100% coverage, 1.10x mag., 19mm eyepoint, -4 to +4 diopter | EVF: 1,166K-dot eq. "Live View Finder", 100% coverage, 0.92x / 0.46x(35mm eq.) magnification, 17.5mm eyepoint, -4.0 to +4.0 diopter range, eye sensor (high/low sensitivity) |
| Focus Peaking: | No | Yes |
| EVF Resolution: | 388,666 dots | |
| Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): | 0.73x | 0.46x |
| Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): | 1.10x | 0.92x |
| 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 | Yes |
| Articulating Screen: | Yes | No |
| Tilt Swivel Screen: | No | |
| Selfie Screen: | No | |
| Max Playback Zoom: | 11.8x | 16.0x |
| Top Deck Display: | No | No |
| Exposure | ||
| Maximum ISO (native): | 12800 | 25600 |
| Minimum ISO (native): | 100 | 200 |
| ISO Settings: | Auto (100-1600), 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800. (Multi-frame NR mode up to ISO 25600) | Auto, Intelligent ISO, 100 (extended), 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800, 25600; in 1 or 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) | Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Incandescent, Flash, White Set 1/2, Color Temperature Setting (2,500-10,000K in 100K steps) |
| Shutter Speed Range: | 1/4000 - 30 sec | 1/16000 - 60 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 | 1728-zone Intelligent Multiple, Center-weighted, Spot |
| 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) | Scene: Clear Portrait, Silky Skin, Backlit Softness, Relaxing Tone, Sweet Child's Face, Distinct Scenery, Bright Blue Sky, Romantic Sunset Glow, Vivid Sunset Glow, Glistening Water, Clear Nightscape, Cool Night Sky, Warm Glowing Nightscape, Artistic Nightscape, Glittering Illuminations, Handheld Night Shot, Clear Night Portrait, Soft Image of a Flower, Appetizing Food, Cute Dessert, Freeze Animal Motion, Clear Sports Shot, Monochrome; Creative Control: Expressive, Retro, Old Days, High Key, Low Key, Sepia, Monochrome, Dynamic Monochrome, Rough Monochrome, Silky Monochrome, Impressive Art, High Dynamic, Cross Process, Toy Effect, Toy Pop, Bleach Bypass, Miniature Effect, Soft Focus, Fantasy, Star Filter, One Point Color, Sunshine; Panorama |
| Self Timer: | 2 or 10 seconds | 2, 10, 3 shots in 10 seconds |
| Time Lapse (intervalometer): | Yes | |
| 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 | Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off; 1st. Curtain Sync, 2nd Curtain Sync; Wireless flash supported |
| Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): | 10.0 m / 32.8 ft. | 7.0 m / 23.0 ft. |
| Flash Range Description: | Lens dependent | Bundled flash has GN=7m (ISO 100) |
| Max Flash Sync: | 1/160 | 1/50 |
| Flash Exposure Compensation: | +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps | +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps |
| External Flash Connection: | Hot shoe | Hot Shoe |
| Built-In Wireless Flash Control: | Full TTL exposure | |
| Image Storage | ||
| Usable Memory Types: | MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| UHS Support: | UHS-I | |
| Other Memory: | ||
| Dual Card Slots: | No | No |
| RAW Capture Support: | Yes | Yes |
| Uncompressed Format: | RAW (ARW 2.2), RAW+JPEG | RAW (RW2), RAW+JPEG |
| Movie File Format: | AVCHD, MP4 | AVCHD (Audio format: Dolby Digital 2ch) / MP4 (Audio format AAC 2ch) |
| Included Memory: | No memory included | |
| Included Memory Type: | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Built-In Wi-Fi: | No | Yes |
| 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,WiFi |
| PictBridge Compliant: | Yes | Yes |
| DPOF Compliant: | Yes | Yes |
| Remote Control: | Yes | Yes |
| Remote Control Type: | Optional Wireless or Wired | Via Wi-Fi |
| Connections (extended): | Type-C HDMI Mini Connector (BRAVIA Sync, PhotoTV HD); Wired Remote Terminal, 3.5mm External Stereo Micophone Jack | Micro HDMI (Type-D) |
| Performance Timing | ||
| Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): | 0.52 | 0.59 |
| 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): | 0.55 | |
| Camera penalizes early shutter press? | No | No |
| JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): | 9.0 | 5.7 |
| Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): | 32 | 56 |
| RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): | 4.9 | |
| Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): | 7 | |
| RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): | 4.9 | |
| Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): | 7 | |
| Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): | 0.22 seconds | 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 | 0.134 seconds |
| Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): | 0.48 seconds | |
| Shutter Lag (prefocused): | 0.103 seconds | 0.123 seconds |
| Shutter Lag (notes): | Full AF, wide-area mode = 0.218s | |
| Startup Time: | 0.9 seconds | 1.0 seconds |
| Play -> Record Time: | 0.6 seconds | 0.8 seconds |
| Flash cycle time, full power: | 3.7 seconds | |
| Power | ||
| Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): | 210 shots | |
| Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): | 330 shots | 220 shots |
| Battery Life, Video: | ||
| Battery Form Factor: | Proprietary NP-FW50 | Proprietary |
| Usable Battery Types: | Lithium-ion rechargeable | 7.2v, 680mAh 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) | PHOTOfunSTUDIO 9.6 PE, SILKYPIX Developer Studio 4.2 SE, LoiloScope (trial) |
| OS Compatibility: | Windows XP SP3/Vista SP2/7, Mac OS X (v.10.3 +) | PHOTOfunSTUDIO and LoiloScope: Windows XP/Vista/7/8; SILKYPIX: Windows XP/Vista/7/8, Mac OS X 10.4-10.8 |
| 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. | External flash unit included. Available in black or red. |
