• 35mm 855.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sony Alpha SLT-A99
  • Nikon J3
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Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor: Sony A99 II
A99 vs A99 II
 
General
Model Number: A99 J3
Alternate Model Number(s): SLT-A99V  
Camera Format: SLR Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $2799.99 $599.95
Street Price: $1,998.00 $617.00
Date Available: 2012-10-15 2013-02-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 29.2 oz (828 g)
includes batteries
12.7 oz (359 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 5.8 x 4.4 x 3.1 in.
(147 x 111 x 78 mm)
4.0 x 2.4 x 1.1 in.
(101 x 61 x 29 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony Aptina
Effective Megapixels: 24.3 14.2
Sensor Format: 35mm 1 inch
Sensor size: 855.62mm2 (35.80mm x 23.90mm) 116.16mm2 (13.20mm x 8.80mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.97 microns 2.86 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.0x 2.7x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 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: 89 52
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 25.0 20.4
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 14.0 11.0
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 1,555 420
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 6000 x 4000 (24.0 MP, 3:2),
6000 x 3376 (20.3 MP, 16:9),
3936 x 2624 (10.3 MP, 3:2),
3936 x 2216 (8.7 MP, 16:9),
2640 x 1760 (4.6 MP, 3:2),
2640 x 1488 (3.9 MP, Other),
1728 x 1152 (2.0 MP, 3:2),
1728 x 976 (1.7 MP, Other),
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)
4608 x 3072 (14.2 MP, 3:2),
3456 x 2304 (8.0 MP, 3:2),
2304 x 1536 (3.5 MP, 3:2)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.3), 14-bit RAW (ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG JPEG (Exif 2.3), 12-bit NEF RAW, RAW+JPG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 5.9 60.0
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)
1920x1080 (60i/​30p)
1280x720 (60p/​30p)
640x240 (400p)
320x120 (1200p)
Movie File Format: AVCHD 2.0 / MP4; Audio :Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC 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: n/a 1 Nikkor 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 VR
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):   27 - 81mm
Focal Length (actual):   10 - 30mm
Zoom Ratio:   3.00x
Aperture Range:   f/3.5 (W) / f/5.6 (T) - f/16
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:   20 cm to Infinity
7.9 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: n/a 40.5mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No Yes
Digital Zoom: Yes No
Digital Zoom Values: 1.4x / 2x n/a
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Dual Phase-detection: 19 points (11 points cross type) CCD line sensors, 102 assist points focal plane phase-detection sensors; Wide (auto, 19 points), Zone, Spot, Local selectable 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 LCD
Viewfinder Type: EVF type; 1.3cm (0.5-inch) 2,359K-dot XGA OLED, ~100% coverage, 0.71x magnification, 22mm eyepoint at -1 diopter (CIPA standard), -4 to +3 diopter, eye sensor.  
Focus Peaking: Yes No
EVF Resolution: 2,359,000 dots n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.71x  
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.71x  
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 1,228,800 dots (307,200 px) 921,000 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: Yes No
Tilt Swivel Screen: Yes No
Selfie Screen: Yes No
Max Playback Zoom: 16.7x  
Top Deck Display: Yes No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 25600 6400
Minimum ISO (native): 100 160
ISO Settings: Auto (100-6400 with selectable limits), 100-25600 in 1/3 EV steps, extendable down to ISO 50; Multi-frame NR up to ISO 51200 Auto ISO, 160 - 6400
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 Auto, incandescent, fluorescent, direct sunlight, flash, cloudy, shade, underwater, preset manual, all except preset manual with fine tuning
Shutter Speed Range: 1/8000 - 30 sec 1/16000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5.0EV 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 Scene, Hand-held Twilight, Sweep Panorama, Telezoom Continuous Priority AE New Creative Mode includes Easy Panorama, Selective Color, Miniature, Soft, Night Landscape, Backlighting and Night Portrait.
Self Timer: 2, 10; 3 or 5 frames after 10s seconds 2, 5, 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: No 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): n/a 5.0 m / 16.4 ft.
Flash Range Description: n/a Lens dependent.
Max Flash Sync: 1/250 1/60
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps -3 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Multi Interface Shoe, PC-Sync terminal n/a
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: MS Duo / MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support: UHS-I  
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: Yes No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: 14-bit RAW (ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG 12-bit NEF RAW, RAW+JPG
Movie File Format: AVCHD 2.0 / MP4; Audio :Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC MOV H.264/MPEG-4 AVC with AAC sound
Included Memory: No memory included 0.0 MB
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: Yes No
Microphone Jack: Yes No
Headphone Jack: Yes 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 H); Wired Remote Terminal, External Stereo Micophone Jack, External Stereo Headphone Jack, DC Input, Vertical Grip connector, Sync Terminal, Multi Interface Shoe, Built-in GPS HDMI out (Type C, Mini)
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.50  
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.56  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): Unlimited  
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): 0.58  
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 5.9 60.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 17  
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 5.9  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): 18  
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 5.9  
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): 13  
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.13 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.081 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):    
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.055 seconds  
Shutter Lag (notes): Full AF lag, Wide-area AF mode = 0.125s Prefocused shutter lag with Electronic First Curtain Off = 0.108s  
Startup Time: 0.7 seconds  
Play -> Record Time: 1.1 seconds  
Flash cycle time, full power:    
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 500 shots  
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 410 shots  
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NP-FM500H Proprietary EN-EL20
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H 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: Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software: Software CD-ROM (includes Picture Motion Browser, Image Data Converter 4, Remote Camera Control 3) ViewNX 2 / Short Movie Creator CD-ROM
OS Compatibility: Windows XP SP3/Vista SP2/7, Mac OS X (v.10.5 +); PMB is Windows only  
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: 24.3MP full-frame image sensor, SteadyShot INSIDE image stabilization, dual phase-detect AF, 200K shutter, AVCHD 2.0 video, hi-res OLED EVF, articulating 1.3M-dot LCD, 6 fps bursts at full resolution, up to 10 fps Tele-zoom mode, two card slots (SD/MS, SD), real-time Full HD video out via HDMI, built-in GPS. Available in White, Black, Silver, Burgundy and Beige.