- APS-C 369.7mm2
- 16.2 megapixels
- ISO 100 - 12,800
- Go in depth with our full Sony A55 Review.
- See real-world photos taken with the A55.
| Links | ||
|---|---|---|
| Prices: | ||
| Manufacturer URL: | Manufacturer website | Manufacturer website |
| Predecessor: |
Nikon D2Xs
D2Xs vs D3X |
|
| Successor: | ||
| General | ||
| Model Number: | D3X | A55 |
| Alternate Model Number(s): | SLT-A55 (w/o GPS) | |
| Camera Format: | Pro SLR | SLR |
| Currently Manufactured: | No | No |
| Retail Price: | $7999.95 | $849.99 |
| Street Price: | $2,499.99 | $733.99 |
| Date Available: | 2008-12-15 | 2010-10-15 |
| Tripod Mount: | Yes | Yes |
| Weight: |
49.1 oz
(1,392 g)
includes batteries |
25.6 oz
(727 g)
includes batteries, kit lens |
| Size: |
6.3 x
6.2 x
3.4 in. (160 x 157 x 88 mm) |
4.9 x
3.6 x
3.3 in. (124 x 92 x 85 mm) |
| Waterproof: | No | No |
| Waterproof Depth: | n/a | n/a |
| Image Sensor | ||
| Sensor Type: | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor Manufacturer: | Sony | Sony |
| Effective Megapixels: | 24.5 | 16.2 |
| Sensor Format: | 35mm | APS-C |
| Sensor size: | 861.6mm2 (35.90mm x 24.00mm) | 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm) |
| Approximate Pixel Pitch: | 5.94 microns | 4.82 microns |
| Focal Length Multiplier: | 1.0x | 1.5x |
| Aspect Ratio: | 3:2 | 3:2, 16:9 |
| Color Filter Type: | RGBG | RGBG |
| Anti Aliasing Filter: | Fixed | Fixed |
| Self-Cleaning: | No | Yes |
| Sensor shift image stabilization: | No | Yes |
| On-Sensor Phase Detect: | No | No |
| DxO Sensor Score: | 88 | 73 |
| DxO Color Depth Score (bits): | 24.7 | 23.0 |
| DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): | 13.7 | 12.4 |
| DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): | 1,992 | 818 |
| Image Capture | ||
| Image Resolution: |
6048 x 4032
(24.4 MP,
3:2), 4544 x 3024 (13.7 MP, 3:2), 3024 x 2016 (6.1 MP, 3:2), 5056 x 4032 (20.4 MP, 5:4), 3792 x 3024 (11.5 MP, 5:4), 2528 x 2016 (5.1 MP, 5:4), 3968 x 2640 (10.5 MP, 3:2), 2976 x 1976 (5.9 MP, Other), 1984 x 1320 (2.6 MP, 3:2) |
4912 x 3264
(16.0 MP,
3:2), 4912 x 2760 (13.6 MP, 16:9), 3568 x 2368 (8.4 MP, Other), 3568 x 2000 (7.1 MP, 16:9), 2448 x 1624 (4.0 MP, Other), 2448 x 1376 (3.4 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) |
| Image File Format: | JPEG (EXIF 2.21), TIFF; RAW (NEF), 12- or 14-bit | JPEG, RAW (ARW 2.2), RAW+JPEG |
| Continuous-mode frames/second: | 5.0 | 9.0 |
| Video Capture | ||
| Can take movies: | No | Yes |
| Movie Resolution: |
1920x1080 (60i/50i)
1440x1080 (30/25) 640x480 (30/25) |
|
| Movie File Format: | AVCHD, MP4 | |
| Composite Video Out: | Yes | No |
| NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: | Yes | n/a |
| Video Usable as Viewfinder: | Yes | n/a |
| HD Video Out: | Yes | Yes |
| HD Video Connection: | HDMI | HDMI |
| Lens & Optics | ||
| Lens Mount: | Nikon F | Sony Alpha (Minolta A) |
| Lens: | n/a | Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAM |
| 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: | n/a | 55.0mm |
| Thread Type: | n/a | n/a |
| Optical Image Stabilization: | No | No |
| Digital Zoom: | No | No |
| Digital Zoom Values: | n/a | n/a |
| Auto Focus | ||
| Auto Focus: | Yes | Yes |
| Auto Focus Type: | 51-point TTL phase detection via Nikon Multi-CAM 3500FX with 15 cross-type and 36 line-type sensors | Phase Detection: 15 points (3 points cross type); Wide, Spot, Local. |
| Auto Focus Assist Light? | No | Yes |
| Manual Focus: | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | ||
| Viewfinder: | Optical / LCD | EVF / LCD |
| Viewfinder Type: | SLR type; eye-level pentaprism, interchangeable screen, 100%, 0.7x, 18mm eyepoint, -3.0 to +1.0 | EVF type; 1.1cm (0.43") 1,152Kdots, 100% coverage, 1.10x mag., 19mm eyepoint, -4 to +4 diopter |
| Focus Peaking: | No | No |
| EVF Resolution: | n/a | |
| Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): | 0.70x | 0.73x |
| Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): | 0.70x | 1.10x |
| Display | ||
| Eye-level Viewfinder: | Yes | Yes |
| Rear Display: | Yes | Yes |
| Rear Display Size (inches): | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| Rear Display Resolution: | 922,000 dots | 921,600 dots |
| Touchscreen: | No | No |
| Articulating Screen: | No | Yes |
| Tilt Swivel Screen: | No | |
| Selfie Screen: | No | |
| Max Playback Zoom: | 27.0x | 11.8x |
| Top Deck Display: | Yes | No |
| Exposure | ||
| Maximum ISO (native): | 1600 | 12800 |
| Minimum ISO (native): | 100 | 100 |
| ISO Settings: | 100 - 1600, plus down to 50 in Lo-1, up to 6,400 in Hi-2 | Auto (100-1600), 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800. (Multi-frame NR mode up to ISO 25600) |
| Auto ISO Mode: | Yes | Yes |
| White Balance Settings: | Auto, seven manual modes can be preset with fine-tuning; color temperature setting, custom | Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom, Color Temp./ Filter (2500 – 9900K with 19-step Magenta/Green compensation) |
| Shutter Speed Range: | 1/8000 - 30 sec | 1/4000 - 30 sec |
| Bulb Mode: | Yes | Yes |
| Exposure Compensation: | +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps | +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps |
| Metering Modes: | 1005-pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering II, Center-weighted, Spot (1.5%) centered on selected focus area | 1200-zone Evaluative, Center-weighted, Spot |
| Program Auto Exposure: | Yes | Yes |
| Aperture Priority: | Yes | Yes |
| Shutter Priority: | Yes | Yes |
| Full Manual Exposure: | Yes | Yes |
| Creative Exposure Modes: | None | Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports action, Sunset, Night portrait, Night view, Hand-held Twilight, Sweep Panorama (2D/3D) |
| Self Timer: | 2/5/10/20 seconds | 2 or 10 seconds |
| Time Lapse (intervalometer): | ||
| High Resolution Composite: | No | No |
| Flash | ||
| Built-in Flash: | No | Yes |
| Flash Modes: | n/a | Auto, Off, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Wireless, High-Speed sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off |
| Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): | n/a | 10.0 m / 32.8 ft. |
| Flash Range Description: | n/a | Lens dependent |
| Max Flash Sync: | 1/250 | 1/160 |
| Flash Exposure Compensation: | +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps | |
| External Flash Connection: | ISO-type hot-shoe contact; safety lock provided; PC Sync terminal | Hot shoe |
| Built-In Wireless Flash Control: | Full TTL exposure | |
| Image Storage | ||
| Usable Memory Types: | CF1 / CF2 / Microdrive | MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| UHS Support: | ||
| Other Memory: | ||
| Dual Card Slots: | Yes | No |
| RAW Capture Support: | Yes | Yes |
| Uncompressed Format: | TIFF; RAW (NEF), 12- or 14-bit | RAW (ARW 2.2), RAW+JPEG |
| Movie File Format: | AVCHD, MP4 | |
| Included Memory: | No memory included | |
| Included Memory Type: | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Built-In Wi-Fi: | No | No |
| NFC: | ||
| Bluetooth: | No | No |
| Built-In GPS: | No | Yes |
| Microphone Jack: | Yes | 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: | Wired, 10-pin terminal or USB | Optional Wireless or Wired |
| Connections (extended): | HDMI Out (Type-A), DC Input, 10-pin Expansion Terminal | Type-C HDMI Mini Connector (BRAVIA Sync, PhotoTV HD); Wired Remote Terminal, 3.5mm External Stereo Micophone Jack |
| Performance Timing | ||
| Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): | <0.3 | 0.52 |
| Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): | <0.3 | 0.52 |
| Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): | 31 | 28 |
| Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): | ||
| Camera penalizes early shutter press? | Yes | No |
| JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): | 5.0 | 9.0 |
| Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): | 31 | 32 |
| RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): | ||
| Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): | ||
| RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): | ||
| Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): | ||
| Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): | 0.16 seconds | 0.22 seconds |
| Shutter lag (full AF, tele): | ||
| Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR): | ||
| Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR): | ||
| Shutter Lag (manual focus): | 0.050 seconds | 0.214 seconds |
| Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): | 0.48 seconds | |
| Shutter Lag (prefocused): | 0.045 seconds | 0.103 seconds |
| Shutter Lag (notes): | Live View Mode Full AF, Single-Area, Hand-Held Mode = 0.426s Full AF, Auto-Area, Hand-Held Mode = 0.606s Prefocused, Hand-Held Mode = 0.045s Prefocused, Tripod Mode = 0.418s | Full AF, wide-area mode = 0.218s |
| Startup Time: | 0.3 seconds | 0.9 seconds |
| Play -> Record Time: | 0.3 seconds | 0.6 seconds |
| Flash cycle time, full power: | 3.7 seconds | |
| Power | ||
| Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): | ||
| Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): | 4400 shots | 330 shots |
| Battery Life, Video: | ||
| Battery Form Factor: | Proprietary EN-EL4a | Proprietary NP-FW50 |
| Usable Battery Types: | Lithium Ion rechargeable | Lithium-ion rechargeable |
| Batteries Included: | 1 x Proprietary EN-EL4a Lithium Ion rechargeable | 1 x Proprietary NP-FW50 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 Suite CD-ROM | Software CD-ROM (includes Picture Motion Browser, Image Data Converter SR, Image Data Lightbox SR) |
| OS Compatibility: | Windows, Mac OS | Windows XP SP3/Vista SP2/7, Mac OS X (v.10.3 +) |
| Miscellaneous | ||
| Notes & Features: | 24.5MP version of the D3. 5fps full resolution burst speed, 7fps in DX crop mode at 10.5 megapixels. | SteadyShot INSIDE Image Stabilization, Articulating LCD, 1080i HD Video, Multi-frame NR, Hand-held Twilight, Auto HDR, D-Range Optimizer, 2D/3D Sweep Panorama, Smile Shutter, DOF Preview, 10fps Burst Mode, Built-in GPS. SLT-A55 is identical but without GPS. |
