| Links | ||
|---|---|---|
| Prices: | ||
| Manufacturer URL: | Manufacturer website | Manufacturer website |
| Predecessor: |
Nikon D5000
D5000 vs D5100 |
|
| Successor: |
Nikon D5200
D5100 vs D5200 |
|
| General | ||
| Model Number: | A55 | D5100 |
| Alternate Model Number(s): | SLT-A55 (w/o GPS) | |
| Camera Format: | SLR | SLR |
| Currently Manufactured: | No | No |
| Retail Price: | $849.99 | $899.95 |
| Street Price: | $733.99 | $649.99 |
| Date Available: | 2010-10-15 | 2011-04-17 |
| Tripod Mount: | Yes | Yes |
| Weight: |
25.6 oz
(727 g)
includes batteries, kit lens |
29.2 oz
(829 g)
includes batteries, kit lens |
| Size: |
4.9 x
3.6 x
3.3 in. (124 x 92 x 85 mm) |
5.0 x
3.8 x
3.1 in. (128 x 97 x 79 mm) |
| Waterproof: | No | No |
| Waterproof Depth: | n/a | n/a |
| Image Sensor | ||
| Sensor Type: | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor Manufacturer: | Sony | Sony |
| Effective Megapixels: | 16.2 | 16.2 |
| Sensor Format: | APS-C | APS-C |
| Sensor size: | 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm) | 368.16mm2 (23.60mm x 15.60mm) |
| Approximate Pixel Pitch: | 4.82 microns | 4.79 microns |
| Focal Length Multiplier: | 1.5x | 1.5x |
| 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 | No |
| DxO Sensor Score: | 73 | 80 |
| DxO Color Depth Score (bits): | 23.0 | 23.5 |
| DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): | 12.4 | 13.6 |
| DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): | 818 | 1,183 |
| Image Capture | ||
| Image Resolution: |
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) |
4928 x 3264
(16.1 MP,
Other), 3696 x 2448 (9.0 MP, Other), 2464 x 1632 (4.0 MP, Other) |
| Image File Format: | JPEG, RAW (ARW 2.2), RAW+JPEG | JPEG (EXIF 2.3), NEF (RAW) 14-bits, RAW+JPEG |
| Continuous-mode frames/second: | 9.0 | 3.9 |
| Video Capture | ||
| Can take movies: | Yes | Yes |
| Movie Resolution: |
1920x1080 (60i/50i)
1440x1080 (30/25) 640x480 (30/25) |
1920x1080 (30/25/24)
1280x720 (30/25/24) 640x424 (30/25) |
| Movie File Format: | AVCHD, MP4 | MOV H.264/MPEG-4 |
| Composite Video Out: | No | Yes |
| NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: | n/a | Yes |
| Video Usable as Viewfinder: | n/a | Yes |
| HD Video Out: | Yes | Yes |
| HD Video Connection: | HDMI | HDMI |
| Lens & Optics | ||
| Lens Mount: | Sony Alpha (Minolta A) | Nikon F |
| Lens: | Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAM | NIKKOR AF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G DX VR |
| Focal Length (35mm equivalent): | 27 - 83mm | 27 - 83mm |
| Focal Length (actual): | 18 - 55mm | 18 - 55mm |
| Zoom Ratio: | 3.00x | 3.00x |
| Aperture Range: | f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - ?? (T) | f/3.5 -22 (W), f/5.6 -36 (T) |
| Integrated ND Filter: | No | No |
| Normal Focus Range: |
28 cm to Infinity 11.0 in to Infinity |
|
| Macro Focus Range: | ||
| Filter Thread: | 55.0mm | 52.0mm |
| Thread Type: | n/a | n/a |
| Optical Image Stabilization: | No | Yes |
| Digital Zoom: | No | No |
| Digital Zoom Values: | n/a | n/a |
| Auto Focus | ||
| Auto Focus: | Yes | Yes |
| Auto Focus Type: | Phase Detection: 15 points (3 points cross type); Wide, Spot, Local. | 11 point TTL phase detection with 3D focus tracking by Nikon Multi-CAM 1000; Single-point, Dynamic and Auto Area modes. One cross-type sensor. |
| Auto Focus Assist Light? | Yes | Yes |
| Manual Focus: | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | ||
| Viewfinder: | EVF / LCD | Optical / LCD |
| Viewfinder Type: | EVF type; 1.1cm (0.43") 1,152Kdots, 100% coverage, 1.10x mag., 19mm eyepoint, -4 to +4 diopter | SLR type; eye-level pentamirror, ~95% coverage, ~0.78x magnification (50mm f/1.4 lens and infinity, -1.0m^1), 17.9mm eyepoint (-1.0m^1), -1.7 to +0.7 diopter |
| Focus Peaking: | No | No |
| EVF Resolution: | n/a | |
| Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): | 0.73x | 0.52x |
| Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): | 1.10x | 0.78x |
| Display | ||
| Eye-level Viewfinder: | Yes | Yes |
| Rear Display: | Yes | Yes |
| Rear Display Size (inches): | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| Rear Display Resolution: | 921,600 dots | 921,600 dots |
| Touchscreen: | No | No |
| Articulating Screen: | Yes | Yes |
| Tilt Swivel Screen: | Yes | |
| Selfie Screen: | Yes | |
| Max Playback Zoom: | 11.8x | 31.0x |
| Top Deck Display: | No | No |
| Exposure | ||
| Maximum ISO (native): | 12800 | 6400 |
| Minimum ISO (native): | 100 | 100 |
| ISO Settings: | Auto (100-1600), 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800. (Multi-frame NR mode up to ISO 25600) | Auto, 100-6400, Hi-1=12800, Hi-2=25600 |
| Auto ISO Mode: | Yes | Yes |
| White Balance Settings: | Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom, Color Temp./ Filter (2500 – 9900K with 19-step Magenta/Green compensation) | Auto, Incandescent, Fluorescent (7), Direct Sunlight, Flash, Cloudy, Shade, Manual |
| Shutter Speed Range: | 1/4000 - 30 sec | 1/4000 - 30 sec |
| Bulb Mode: | Yes | Yes |
| Exposure Compensation: | +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps | +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps |
| Metering Modes: | 1200-zone Evaluative, Center-weighted, Spot | 3D Color Matrix Metering II (420-pixel RGB), Center-weighted (75% given to 8mm circle in the center), Spot (3.5mm circle (2.5%) centered on selected focus point) |
| 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 view, Hand-held Twilight, Sweep Panorama (2D/3D) | Portrait, Landscape, Child, Sports, Close up, Scene (Party/indoor, Beach/snow, Sunset, Dusk/dawn, Pet portrait, Candlelight, Blossom, Autumn colors, Food, Night portrait, Night landscape), Special Effects (Stills or D-movies: Silhouette, Selective Color, Night Vision, High Key, Low Key, Miniature Effect, Color Sketch). |
| Self Timer: | 2 or 10 seconds | 2, 5, 10, 20 seconds |
| Time Lapse (intervalometer): | ||
| High Resolution Composite: | No | No |
| Flash | ||
| Built-in Flash: | Yes | Yes |
| Flash Modes: | Auto, Off, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Wireless, High-Speed sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off | Auto, auto with red-eye reduction, auto slow sync, auto slow sync with red-eye reduction, fill-flash, red-eye reduction, slow sync, slow sync with red-eye reduction, rear-curtain with slow sync, rear-curtain sync, off; 18-300mm coveraqge |
| Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): | 10.0 m / 32.8 ft. | 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. |
| Flash Range Description: | Lens dependent | Lens dependent |
| Max Flash Sync: | 1/160 | 1/200 |
| Flash Exposure Compensation: | +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps | -3 to +1 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 PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| UHS Support: | UHS-I | |
| Other Memory: | ||
| Dual Card Slots: | No | No |
| RAW Capture Support: | Yes | Yes |
| Uncompressed Format: | RAW (ARW 2.2), RAW+JPEG | NEF (RAW) 14-bits, RAW+JPEG |
| Movie File Format: | AVCHD, MP4 | MOV H.264/MPEG-4 |
| Included Memory: | No memory included | |
| Included Memory Type: | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Built-In Wi-Fi: | No | No |
| NFC: | No | |
| Bluetooth: | No | No |
| Built-In GPS: | Yes | No |
| 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: | Optional Wireless or Wired | Optional ML-L3 IR Remote or MC-DC2 Remote Cord |
| Connections (extended): | Type-C HDMI Mini Connector (BRAVIA Sync, PhotoTV HD); Wired Remote Terminal, 3.5mm External Stereo Micophone Jack | HDMI Out (with CEC), Accessory Terminal for Wired Remote (MC-DC2) or GPS (GP-1), 3.5mm Stereo Mic Jack; DC-input via dummy battery AC adapter. |
| Performance Timing | ||
| Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): | 0.52 | 0.73 |
| Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): | 0.52 | 0.77 |
| Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): | 28 | Unlimited |
| Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): | 0.77 | |
| Camera penalizes early shutter press? | No | No |
| JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): | 9.0 | 3.9 |
| Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): | 32 | 100 |
| RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): | 4.0 | |
| Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): | 13 | |
| RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): | 3.9 | |
| Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): | 9 | |
| Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): | 0.22 seconds | 0.27 seconds |
| Shutter lag (full AF, tele): | ||
| Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR): | 1.28 seconds | |
| Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR): | 0.488 seconds | |
| Shutter Lag (manual focus): | 0.214 seconds | 0.248 seconds |
| Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): | 0.48 seconds | 0.29 seconds |
| Shutter Lag (prefocused): | 0.103 seconds | 0.114 seconds |
| Shutter Lag (notes): | Full AF, wide-area mode = 0.218s | Optical Viewfinder: Wide-area AF: 0.408s Live View: Full AF lag: 1.28s Prefocused: 0.49s |
| Startup Time: | 0.9 seconds | 0.5 seconds |
| Play -> Record Time: | 0.6 seconds | 0.4 seconds |
| Flash cycle time, full power: | 3.7 seconds | 4.0 seconds |
| Power | ||
| Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): | ||
| Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): | 330 shots | 660 shots |
| Battery Life, Video: | ||
| Battery Form Factor: | Proprietary NP-FW50 | Proprietary EN-EL14 |
| Usable Battery Types: | Lithium-ion rechargeable | Lithium-ion rechargeable |
| Batteries Included: | 1 x Proprietary NP-FW50 Lithium-ion rechargeable | 1 x Proprietary EN-EL14 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 SR, Image Data Lightbox SR) | ViewNX 2 CD-ROM |
| OS Compatibility: | Windows XP SP3/Vista SP2/7, Mac OS X (v.10.3 +) | Windows, Mac OS |
| Miscellaneous | ||
| Notes & Features: | 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. | 3" Vari-angle 921K-dot LCD, Full HD Videos (up to 1920x1080@30fps), In-camera Special Effects, Night Vision mode, HDR, Active D-Lighting, 3.5mm External Stereo Mic socket. |
