• 0.98 inch 285.7mm2
  • 4.7 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sigma SD15
  • Sony Alpha SLT-A55V
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Prices: Compare Prices  
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor:    
General
Model Number: SD15 A55
Alternate Model Number(s):   SLT-A55 (w/o GPS)
Camera Format: SLR SLR
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price:   $849.99
Street Price: $1,500.00 $733.99
Date Available: 2010-06-30 2010-10-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 24.0 oz (680 g) 25.6 oz (727 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 5.7 x 4.2 x 3.2 in.
(144 x 107 x 81 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: Foveon X3 Sony
Effective Megapixels: 4.7 16.2
Sensor Format: 0.98 inch APS-C
Sensor size: 285.66mm2 (20.70mm x 13.80mm) 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 7.84 microns 4.82 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.7x 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 3:2, 16:9
Color Filter Type: Full Color RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Not needed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: No Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score:   73
DxO Color Depth Score (bits):   23.0
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs):   12.4
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso):   818
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 2640 x 1760 (4.6 MP, 3:2),
2640 x 1485 (3.9 MP, 16:9),
1872 x 1248 (2.3 MP, 3:2),
1312 x 880 (1.2 MP, Other)
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), 12-bit RAW (.X3F) JPEG, RAW (ARW 2.2), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 3.0 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: No n/a
HD Video Out: Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Sigma SA bayonet 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: Varies with lens 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: 5-point phase-difference detection Phase Detection: 15 points (3 points cross type); Wide, Spot, Local.
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD (playback only) EVF / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentaprism, 98% coverage, 0.9x mag. 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): 0.53x 0.73x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.90x 1.10x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 460,000 dots 921,600 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom:   11.8x
Top Deck Display: Yes No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 1600 12800
Minimum ISO (native): 100 100
ISO Settings: Auto (100-200), Auto with Flash (100-400), 50*, 100, 200, 400, 800,1600, 3200* (*Extended mode) 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, Sunlight, Shade, Overcast, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom, Color Temp./ Filter (2500 – 9900K with 19-step Magenta/Green compensation)
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 30 sec 1/4000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 77-segment Evaluative, Center Weighted Average, Center Area, Spot 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:   Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports action, Sunset, Night portrait, Night view, Hand-held Twilight, Sweep Panorama (2D/3D)
Self Timer: 2 or 10 seconds 2 or 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: S-TTL; Forced On, Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync/Red-eye Reduction Auto, Off, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Wireless, High-Speed sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 11.0 m / 36.1 ft. 10.0 m / 32.8 ft.
Flash Range Description: n/a Lens dependent
Max Flash Sync: 1/180 1/160
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0 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: Microdrive / SD / SDHC MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: 12-bit RAW (.X3F) 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: No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No Yes
Microphone Jack: No Yes
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 Full (LOW) Speed,FireWire USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: No Yes
DPOF Compliant: No Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: RS-31 Wireless, CR-21 Wired Optional Wireless or Wired
Connections (extended): DC input 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):   0.52
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):   0.52
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):   28
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): 3.0 9.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 21 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):   0.22 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus):   0.214 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):   0.48 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused):   0.103 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):   Full AF, wide-area mode = 0.218s
Startup Time:   0.9 seconds
Play -> Record Time:   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): 250 shots 330 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary BP-21 Proprietary NP-FW50
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary BP-21 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:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software: Sigma Photo Pro 4.0 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: 14MP Foveon X3 Sensor, True II Processor. 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.