Links
Model Name: Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 
Prices:  
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website
Predecessor:  
Successor:  
General
Model Number: DSLR-A500
Alternate Model Number(s):  
Camera Format: SLR
Currently Manufactured: No
Retail Price: $849.99
Street Price:  
Date Available: 2009-10-08
Tripod Mount: Yes
Weight: 31.7 oz (900 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 5.4 x 4.1 x 3.3 in.
(137 x 104 x 84 mm)
Waterproof: No
Waterproof Depth: n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony
Effective Megapixels: 12.3
Sensor Format: APS-C
Sensor size: 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.55 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2, 16:9
Color Filter Type: RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect: 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)
Image File Format: JPEG, RAW
Continuous-mode frames/second: 4.9
Video Capture
Can take movies: No
Movie Resolution:
Movie File Format:  
Composite Video Out: No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a
HD Video Out: Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Sony Alpha (Minolta A)
Lens: 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
Normal Focus Range:  
Macro Focus Range:  
Filter Thread: 55.0mm
Thread Type: n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No
Digital Zoom: No
Digital Zoom Values: n/a
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes
Auto Focus Type: 9-point TTL phase detection (one cross-type sensor) with eye-start AF; Wide, Spot, Local modes
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes
Manual Focus: Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.80x mag., 19mm eyepoint, -2.5 to +1.0 diopter
Focus Peaking: No
EVF Resolution: n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.53x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.80x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes
Rear Display: Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 230,400 dots
Touchscreen: No
Articulating Screen: Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen:
Selfie Screen:
Max Playback Zoom: 13.4x
Top Deck Display: No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 12800
Minimum ISO (native): 200
ISO Settings: Auto (200-1600), 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800
Auto ISO Mode: Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 40-segment Multi Segment, Center-weighted, Spot; (1200 zone evaluative metering in Live View)
Program Auto Exposure: Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports, Sunset, Night Portrait/Night View
Self Timer: 2 or 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):  
High Resolution Composite: No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes
Flash Modes: Auto, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Wireless, High-Speed sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 12.0 m / 39.4 ft.
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent
Max Flash Sync: 1/160
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control: Full TTL exposure
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: MS Duo / MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC
UHS Support:  
Other Memory:  
Dual Card Slots: No
RAW Capture Support: Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW
Movie File Format:  
Included Memory:  
Included Memory Type:  
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No
NFC:
Bluetooth: No
Built-In GPS: No
Microphone Jack: No
Headphone Jack: No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes
Remote Control: Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional Wireless or Wired
Connections (extended): DC input, mini-HDMI, Wired Remote
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.48
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):  
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 4.9
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 5
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): 0.18 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
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.21 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.074 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Quick AF Live View: Center AF: 0.180s Wide-area AF: 0.181s
Startup Time: 0.5 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.3 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 3.4 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):  
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 1000 shots
Battery Life, Video:  
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NP-FM500H
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software: Software/USB Driver CD-ROM
OS Compatibility: Windows 2000/XP/Vista, Mac OS X (v. 10.13+)
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.

Buy the Sony DSLR-A500

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony DSLR-A500


Editor's Picks