• 35mm 855.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 288.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sony Alpha SLT-A99
  • Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
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Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor: Sony A99 II
A99 vs A99 II
 
General
Model Number: A99 SZ8
Alternate Model Number(s): SLT-A99V  
Camera Format: SLR Compact
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $2799.99 $169.99
Street Price: $1,998.00 $225.99
Date Available: 2012-10-15 2014-03-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 29.2 oz (828 g)
includes batteries
5.6 oz (159 g)
includes batteries
Size: 5.8 x 4.4 x 3.1 in.
(147 x 111 x 78 mm)
3.9 x 2.4 x 1.0 in.
(100 x 60 x 27 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CCD
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony  
Effective Megapixels: 24.3 16.0
Sensor Format: 35mm 1/2.33 inch
Sensor size: 855.62mm2 (35.80mm x 23.90mm) 28.198mm2 (6.13mm x 4.6mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.97 microns 1.33 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.0x n/a
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 4:3
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed  
Self-Cleaning: Yes No
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 89  
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 25.0  
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 14.0  
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 1,555  
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 3456 (15.9 MP, 4:3),
4608 x 3072 (14.2 MP, 3:2),
4608 x 2592 (11.9 MP, 16:9),
3456 x 3456 (11.9 MP, 1:1),
3264 x 2448 (8.0 MP, 4:3),
3264 x 2176 (7.1 MP, 3:2),
2048 x 1536 (3.1 MP, 4:3),
2048 x 1360 (2.8 MP, Other),
1536 x 1536 (2.4 MP, 1:1),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.3), 14-bit RAW (ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG JPEG (EXIF v2.3)
Continuous-mode frames/second: 5.9 1.2
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)
1280x720 (30p)
640x480 (30p)
320x240 (30p)
Movie File Format: AVCHD 2.0 / MP4; Audio :Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC Motion JPEG with monaural audio
Composite Video Out: No Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: n/a No
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a
HD Video Out: Yes No
HD Video Connection: HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Sony Alpha (Minolta A) n/a
Lens: n/a 8 elements in 8 groups (4 Aspherical elements / 8 Aspherical surfaces / 1 ED elements)
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):   24 - 288mm
Focal Length (actual):   4.3 - 51.6mm
Zoom Ratio:   12.00x
Aperture Range:   f/3.1 or 7.8 (W) / f/6.3 or 16.3 (T)
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:   3 cm to Infinity
1.2 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: n/a n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No Yes
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: 1.4x / 2x Up to 4x
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 Contrast Detect: Face / 9-Area / 1-Area
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes No
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: EVF / LCD No / 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) 460,000 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: Yes No
Tilt Swivel Screen: Yes No
Selfie Screen: Yes No
Max Playback Zoom: 16.7x 16.0x
Top Deck Display: Yes
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 25600 1600
Minimum ISO (native): 100 100
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, iISO, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600; High Sensitivity mode (ISO 1600-6400)
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, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Incandescent, White Set
Shutter Speed Range: 1/8000 - 30 sec 1/2000 - 60 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes No
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 1200-zone Evaluative, Center-weighted, Spot Intelligent Multiple
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes No
Shutter Priority: Yes No
Full Manual Exposure: Yes No
Creative Exposure Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports Action, Sunset, Night Portrait, Night Scene, Hand-held Twilight, Sweep Panorama, Telezoom Continuous Priority AE Panorama Shot, Scene (Portrait, Soft Skin, Scenery, Sports, Night Portrait, Night Scenery, Food, Baby1*, Baby2*, Pet*, Sunset, High Sensitivity, Glass Through, HDR, Starry Sky *Birthday only.), Creative Control (Expressive, Retro, Old Days, High Key, Low Key, Sepia, Dynamic Monochrome, Impressive Art, High Dynamic, Cross Process, Toy Effect, Miniature Effect, Soft Focus, Star Filter, One Point Color (15 filters))
Self Timer: 2, 10; 3 or 5 frames after 10s seconds 2 or 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 Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a n/a
Flash Range Description: n/a Auto ISO: 0.6 - 5.2m (Wide), 1.5 - 2.6m (Tele)
Max Flash Sync: 1/250  
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0 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 No
Uncompressed Format: 14-bit RAW (ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG  
Movie File Format: AVCHD 2.0 / MP4; Audio :Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC Motion JPEG with monaural audio
Included Memory: No memory included 80.0 MB
Included Memory Type:   Internal
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No Yes
NFC: 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,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 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  
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 1.2
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 200 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 410 shots  
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NP-FM500H Proprietary
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable 3.6V, 690mAh Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H 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 4, Remote Camera Control 3)  
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. 16MP CCD, Optical Image Stabilization, 720p HD video, built-in Wi-FI, USB charging.