• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 18.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
  • Canon EOS M
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor:   Canon EOS M3
EOS M vs EOS M3
General
Model Number: DSLR-A500 EOS M
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: SLR Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $849.99 $600.00
Street Price:    
Date Available: 2009-10-08 2012-10-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 31.7 oz (900 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
17.7 oz (503 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 5.4 x 4.1 x 3.3 in.
(137 x 104 x 84 mm)
4.3 x 2.6 x 1.3 in.
(109 x 67 x 32 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony Canon
Effective Megapixels: 12.3 18.0
Sensor Format: APS-C APS-C
Sensor size: 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm) 332.27mm2 (22.30mm x 14.90mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.55 microns 4.30 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x 1.6x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2, 16:9 3:2
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 Yes
DxO Sensor Score: 64 65
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 21.8 22.1
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 11.6 11.2
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 772 827
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4272 x 2848 (12.2 MP, 3:2),
4272 x 2400 (10.3 MP, 16:9),
3104 x 2072 (6.4 MP, 3:2),
3104 x 1744 (5.4 MP, 16:9),
2128 x 1416 (3.0 MP, 3:2),
2188 x 1192 (2.6 MP, Other)
5184 x 3456 (17.9 MP, 3:2),
3456 x 2304 (8.0 MP, 3:2),
2592 x 1728 (4.5 MP, 3:2),
1920 x 1280 (2.5 MP, 3:2),
720 x 480 (0.3 MP, 3:2)
Image File Format: JPEG, RAW JPEG, .CR2 14-bit RAW, RAW+L/F JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 4.9 4.2
Video Capture
Can take movies: No Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (30p/​25p/​24p)
1280x720 (60p/​50p)
640x480 (30p/​25p)
Movie File Format:   MOV (Image data: H.264; audio: Linear PCM (Stereo))
Composite Video Out: No Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: n/a Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Sony Alpha (Minolta A) Canon EF-M
Lens: Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAM Canon EF-M 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 27 - 83mm 29 - 88mm
Focal Length (actual): 18 - 55mm 18 - 55mm
Zoom Ratio: 3.00x 3.10x
Aperture Range: f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - ?? (T) f/3.5 - f/22 (W) / f/5.6 - f/36 (T); 7-blade circular aperture
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:   25 cm to Infinity
9.8 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: 55.0mm 58.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No Yes
Digital Zoom: No
Digital Zoom Values: n/a  
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 9-point TTL phase detection (one cross-type sensor) with eye-start AF; Wide, Spot, Local modes Hybrid phase-detect/contrast-detect AF on image sensor: FlexiZone - Multi (31 zones, AF at the touched Zone), Single; Face Detection + Tracking AF
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD No / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.80x mag., 19mm eyepoint, -2.5 to +1.0 diopter  
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.53x  
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.80x  
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 230,400 dots 1,040,000 dots
Touchscreen: No Yes
Articulating Screen: Yes No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom: 13.4x 10.0x
Top Deck Display: No No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 12800 12800
Minimum ISO (native): 200 100
ISO Settings: Auto (200-1600), 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800 Auto (100-6400), 100-12800 in 1EV steps, expandable to H=25600
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Twilight and Sunset, Tungsten, White Fluorescent, Flash, Custom
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 30 sec 1/4000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 40-segment Multi Segment, Center-weighted, Spot; (1200 zone evaluative metering in Live View) Evaluative metering, partial metering (center: approx. 11%), spot metering (center: approx. 2.8%), center-weighted average metering
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, Sunset, Night Portrait/Night View Creative Auto, Portrait, Landscape, Close-up, Sports, Night Portrait, Handheld Night Scene mode, HDR Backlight Control mode, Multi-Shot Noise Reduction; Creative filters (Art Bold, Water painting, Grainy B/W, Soft focus, Toy camera, Miniature effect, Fish-eye)
Self Timer: 2 or 10 seconds 10, 2 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes No
Flash Modes: Auto, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Wireless, High-Speed sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye; FE Lock
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. n/a
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent n/a
Max Flash Sync: 1/160 1/200
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0 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 Duo / MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   UHS-I
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW .CR2 14-bit RAW, RAW+L/F JPEG
Movie File Format:   MOV (Image data: H.264; audio: Linear PCM (Stereo))
Included Memory:   No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No Yes
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 Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional Wireless or Wired Optional RC-6 wireless remote
Connections (extended): DC input, mini-HDMI, Wired Remote Mini HDMI, External 3.5mm Stereo Mic Jack
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.48 1.94
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.47 2.02
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 9 Unlimited
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):   2.33
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 4.9 4.2
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 5 13
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   4.4
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):   6
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   4.1
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):   3
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.18 seconds 0.74 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.182 seconds 0.173 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.21 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.074 seconds 0.051 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Quick AF Live View: Center AF: 0.180s Wide-area AF: 0.181s Full AF shutter lag, wide area mode = 0.878s
Startup Time: 0.5 seconds 2.7 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.3 seconds 1.4 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 3.4 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   230 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 1000 shots  
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NP-FM500H Proprietary LP-E12
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeble
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H 1 x Proprietary LP-E12 Lithium-ion rechargeble
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software: Software/USB Driver CD-ROM EOS Digital Solutions Disc
OS Compatibility: Windows 2000/XP/Vista, Mac OS X (v. 10.13+) Windows XP inc SP3 / Vista inc SP1 and SP2 (excl. Starter Edition) / 7 (excl. Starter Edition) OS X v10.6-10.7 (Intel processor required)
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Exmore CMOS Sensor, Variable-angle LCD, SteadyShot In-body Sensor-shift Image Stabilization, Live View, Auto HDR, D-Range Optimizer (Auto, Level 1-5), HDMI Output. Full HD movies with Movie Servo AF, manual exposure control, built-in stereo mic with manual audio level adjustment, Video Snapshot. DIGIC 5 processor, Hybrid CMOS AF, 3-inch 1.04M-dot touchscreen LCD, optional EF lens adapter. Available in black or white.