• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 10.2 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 51,200
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
  • Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5S
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Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor:    
General
Model Number: DSLR-A500 GH5S
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: SLR Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No Yes
Retail Price: $849.99 $2499.00
Street Price:   $1,798.66
Date Available: 2009-10-08 2018-02-22
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 31.7 oz (900 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
23.3 oz (660 g)
includes batteries
Size: 5.4 x 4.1 x 3.3 in.
(137 x 104 x 84 mm)
5.5 x 3.9 x 3.4 in.
(139 x 98 x 87 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS Live MOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony Panasonic
Effective Megapixels: 12.3 10.2
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: 5.55 microns 4.51 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x 2.0x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2, 16:9 4:3, Other
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed None
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 64  
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 21.8  
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 11.6  
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 772  
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)
3680 x 2760 (10.2 MP, 4:3),
3840 x 2560 (9.8 MP, 3:2),
4016 x 2256 (9.1 MP, 16:9),
2752 x 2752 (7.6 MP, 1:1),
2592 x 1944 (5.0 MP, 4:3),
2736 x 1824 (5.0 MP, 3:2),
2816 x 1584 (4.5 MP, 16:9),
1936 x 1936 (3.7 MP, 1:1),
1824 x 1368 (2.5 MP, 4:3),
1920 x 1280 (2.5 MP, 3:2),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
1360 x 1360 (1.8 MP, 1:1),
3328 x 2496 (8.3 MP, 4:3),
3504 x 2336 (8.2 MP, 3:2),
3840 x 2160 (8.3 MP, 16:9),
2880 x 2880 (8.3 MP, 1:1)
Image File Format: JPEG, RAW JPEG (EXIF 2.31), 12 or 14-bit RAW, RAW + JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 4.9 11.7
Video Capture
Can take movies: No Yes
Movie Resolution: 4096x2160 (60p/​50p/​30p/​25p/​24p)
3840x2160 (60p/​50p/​30p/​25p/​24p)
1920x1080 (60p/​60i/​50p/​50i/​30p/​25p/​24p)
4096x2160 (2p - 60p)
3840x2160 (2p - 60p)
1920x1080 (240p, 2p - 240p)
Movie File Format:   MOV, MP4, AVCHD, AVCHD Progressive
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) Micro Four Thirds
Lens: Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAM n/a
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 27 - 83mm  
Focal Length (actual): 18 - 55mm  
Zoom Ratio: 3.00x  
Aperture Range: f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - ?? (T)  
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:    
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: 55.0mm n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No No
Digital Zoom: No Yes
Digital Zoom Values: n/a 2x, 4x; Extra Tele Conversion: Still image: Max. 2x; Motion picture: 2.1x (FHD)
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 Contrast Detection with DFD: Face/Eye detection, Tracking, 225-area, Custom Multi, 1-area, Pinpoint; One Shot AF, Shutter AF, Half Press Release, Quick AF, Continuous AF (during motion picture recording), Eye Sensor AF, AF+MF, MF Assist, Touch MF Assist, Focus Peaking, Touch AF/AE Function, Touch Pad AF, Touch Shutter
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD EVF / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.80x mag., 19mm eyepoint, -2.5 to +1.0 diopter 3680K-dot OLED, 1.52x / 0.76x (35mm eq.) magnification, 21mm eyepoint, -4 to +3 diopter, eye sensor
Focus Peaking: No Yes
EVF Resolution: n/a 3,680,000 dots
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.53x 0.76x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.80x 1.52x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.2
Rear Display Resolution: 230,400 dots 1,620,000 dots (405,000 px)
Touchscreen: No Yes
Articulating Screen: Yes Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: Yes
Selfie Screen: Yes
Max Playback Zoom: 13.4x 16.0x
Top Deck Display: No No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 12800 51200
Minimum ISO (native): 200 160
ISO Settings: Auto (200-1600), 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800 Auto, iISO, 160 - 51200 in 1 or 1/3 EV steps, extendable to 80 - 204800
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom Auto, Autoc, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Incandescent, Flash, White Set 1-4, Color Temperature Setting 1-4 (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: 40-segment Multi Segment, Center-weighted, Spot; (1200 zone evaluative metering in Live View) 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, Sunset, Night Portrait/Night View 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
Self Timer: 2 or 10 seconds 2, 10, 3 shots in 10 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, 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.
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 1/250
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot shoe Hot Shoe, PC Sync Terminal
Built-In Wireless Flash Control: Full TTL exposure No
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: MS Duo / MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   UHS-II
Other Memory:   Both Slots UHS-II
Dual Card Slots: No Yes
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW 12 or 14-bit RAW, RAW + JPEG
Movie File Format:   MOV, MP4, AVCHD, AVCHD Progressive
Included Memory:   No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No Yes
NFC: No
Bluetooth: No Yes
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No Yes
Headphone Jack: No Yes
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed,USB 3.0 Super Speed,Bluetooth,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional Wireless or Wired Wi-Fi or optional wired
Connections (extended): DC input, mini-HDMI, Wired Remote USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-C, HDMI Type-A, 2.5mm Wired Remote Jack, 3.5mm External Mic Jack, 3.5mm Headphone Jack, TC In/Out via Flash Sync Terminal
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.48 0.39
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.47  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 9  
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):   0.45
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No Yes
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 4.9 11.7
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 5 600
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   12.5
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):   120
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   13.1
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):   99
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.18 seconds 0.17 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 0.083 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.21 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.074 seconds 0.045 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Quick AF Live View: Center AF: 0.180s Wide-area AF: 0.181s Electronic Shutter Lag: Full AF = 0.185s, Manual Focus = 0.111s, Prefocused = 0.062s
Startup Time: 0.5 seconds 1.1 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.3 seconds 0.7 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 3.4 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   440 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 1000 shots 410 shots
Battery Life, Video:   60 minutes
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NP-FM500H Proprietary
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable 7.2v, 1860mAh Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H 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/USB Driver CD-ROM None; Free downloads: PHOTOfunSTUDIO, SILKYPIX Developer Studio
OS Compatibility: Windows 2000/XP/Vista, Mac OS X (v. 10.13+) PHOTOfunSTUDIO (Windows); SILKYPIX Developer Studio (Windows / Mac)
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.