• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • Medium format 1,350.0mm2
  • 64.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 50,000
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sony Alpha SLT-A77
  • Leica S3
Links
Prices: Compare Prices  
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:   Leica S2
S2 vs S3
Successor: Sony A77 II
A77 vs A77 II
 
General
Model Number: A77 S3
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: SLR Pro SLR
Currently Manufactured: No Yes
Retail Price: $1999.99 $19.00
Street Price: $1,899.00  
Date Available: 2011-10-15 2020-03-06
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 48.1 oz (1,363 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
44.4 oz (1,260 g)
includes batteries
Size: 5.6 x 4.1 x 3.2 in.
(143 x 104 x 81 mm)
6.3 x 4.7 x 3.1 in.
(160 x 120 x 80 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony  
Effective Megapixels: 24.3 64.0
Sensor Format: APS-C Medium format
Sensor size: 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm) 1350mm2 (45.00mm x 30.00mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 3.95 microns 4.59 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x 0.8x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed None
Self-Cleaning: Yes No
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 78  
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 24.0  
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 13.2  
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 801  
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 6000 x 4000 (24.0 MP, 3:2),
6000 x 3376 (20.3 MP, 16:9),
4240 x 2832 (12.0 MP, 3:2),
4240 x 2400 (10.2 MP, Other),
3008 x 2000 (6.0 MP, 3:2),
3008 x 1688 (5.1 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)
9800 x 6530 (64.0 MP, 3:2)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.3), MPO (3D), 12-bit RAW (ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG JPEG, RAW (Adobe .DNG), RAW+JPEG Fine/Basic
Continuous-mode frames/second: 11.6 3.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (60p/​28Mbps/​PS or 60i/​24Mbps/​FX or 60i/​17Mbps/​FH or 24p/​24Mbps/​FX or 24p/​17Mbps/​FH)
1440x1080 (30p/​12Mbps)
640x480 (30p/​3Mbps)
4096x2160 (24p)
1920x1080 (30p/​25p/​24p)
Movie File Format: AVCHD 2.0 / MP4; Audio :Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC, stereo MOV (motion JPEG)
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) Leica S bayonet
Lens: Sony 16-50mm f/2.8 DT SSM (SAL1650) n/a
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 24 - 75mm  
Focal Length (actual): 16 - 50mm  
Zoom Ratio: 3.13x  
Aperture Range: f/2.8 - f/22 (W/T)  
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 30 cm to Infinity
11.8 in to Infinity
 
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: n/a n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No No
Digital Zoom: Yes No
Digital Zoom Values: 1.4x / 2x n/a
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Phase Detection: 19 points (11 points cross type); Wide (auto, 19 points), Zone, Spot, Local Phase-detect TTL with central cross-hair sensor: Choice of AFs (single) = Sharpness priority, AFc (continuous) = Shutter release priority, MF (manual), Manual override of automatic setting possible at any time; Contrast detect AF during live view at any point in image
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes No
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: EVF / LCD Optical / LCD
Viewfinder Type: EVF type; 1.3cm (0.5") 2,359K-dot OLED, 100% coverage, 1.09x mag., 22mm eyepoint, -4 to +3 diopter High eyepoint pentaprism viewfinder, 98% coverage, 0.87x magnification, -3 to +1 diopter correction, interchangeable focusing screen, ground glass screen with microprism ring and split image (standard)
Focus Peaking: Yes Yes
EVF Resolution: 2,359,000 dots n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.73x 1.09x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 1.09x 0.87x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 921,600 dots (307,200 px) 921,600 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: Yes No
Tilt Swivel Screen: Yes No
Selfie Screen: Yes No
Max Playback Zoom: 13.6x  
Top Deck Display: Yes Yes
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 16000 50000
Minimum ISO (native): 100 100
ISO Settings: Auto (100-12800 with selectable limits), 50 (expanded), 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800, 16000. (Multi-frame NR mode up to ISO 25600) Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12500, 25000, 50000
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto WB, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent (Warm white/Cool white/Day white/Daylight), Flash, C. Temp 2500 to 9900K, C Filter G7 to M7 (15-step), Custom, AWB micro adjustment Automatic, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Incandescent, HMI, Fluorescent, Halogen warm, Halogen cool, Flash, Tungsten, Grey card (determined from image), Grey card Live View, Color temperature (Kelvin)
Shutter Speed Range: 1/8000 - 30 sec 1/4000 - 125 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0EV in 0.5EV steps
Metering Modes: 1200-zone Evaluative, Center-weighted, Spot Multi-segment (5 fields), Center-weighted, Spot (3.5% of image frame)
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Scene Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports Action, Sunset, Night Portrait, Night Scene, Hand-held Twilight, Auto HDR, Sweep Panorama (2D/3D)  
Self Timer: 2, 10; 3 or 5 frames after 10 seconds 2, 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 (with external flash), Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off TTL pre-flash metering, with automatic transmission and consideration of sensitivity and set/controlled lens aperture, all exposure modes available, automatic adaptation of flash light component to available light; First or second curtain sync
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. n/a
Flash Range Description: GN=12(m) at ISO 100; Range is lens aperture dependent n/a
Max Flash Sync: 1/250 1/125 or 1/1000 depending on lens (shutter type)
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Proprietary Hot Shoe, PC Sync Terminal Hot shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control: Full TTL exposure No
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: MS Duo / MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC CF1 / SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support: UHS-I No UHS support
Other Memory:   Dual SD + CF (UDMA7)
Dual Card Slots: No Yes
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: 12-bit RAW (ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG RAW (Adobe .DNG), RAW+JPEG Fine/Basic
Movie File Format: AVCHD 2.0 / MP4; Audio :Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC, stereo MOV (motion JPEG)
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No Yes
NFC: No No
Bluetooth: No No
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,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: Yes No
DPOF Compliant: Yes No
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional Wireless or Wired Cabled or Wi-Fi
Connections (extended): Type-C HDMI Mini Connector (BRAVIA Sync, PhotoTV HD); Wired Remote Terminal, External Stereo Micophone Jack, DC Input Mini HDMI Type C, X-sync, 7-pin LEMO socket for remote accessories, contact strip for multi-function hand grip, audio in (3.5 mm jack) and audio out (3.5 mm jack) with audio adapter S (supplied with the camera)
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.42  
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.42  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 5  
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): 0.42  
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 11.6 3.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 17 Unlimited
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 11.6 3.0
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): 14 6
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 11.6  
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): 13  
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.12 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.085 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.33 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.054 seconds  
Shutter Lag (notes): Full AF, Wide-area mode = 0.119s  
Startup Time: 0.8 seconds  
Play -> Record Time: 1.0 seconds  
Flash cycle time, full power: 3.2 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 530 shots  
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 470 shots  
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NP-FM500H Proprietary 7.4V, 2850mAh
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x 7.4V, 2850mAh Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes No
Internal Charging Supported: No No
Software
Included Software: Software CD-ROM (includes Picture Motion Browser, Image Data Converter 4)  
OS Compatibility: Windows XP SP3/Vista SP2/7, Mac OS X (v.10.5 +); PMB is Windows only  
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: SteadyShot INSIDE Image Stabilization, Articulating LCD, 1080p HD Video, Auto+, Multi-frame NR, Hand-held Twilight, Auto HDR, Picture Effect, D-Range Optimizer, 2D/3D Sweep Panorama, Smile Shutter, DOF Preview, 12fps Burst Mode, Built-in GPS.