• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  •  
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sony Alpha SLT-A55V
  • Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:   Panasonic G2
G2 vs G3
Successor:   Panasonic G5
G3 vs G5
General
Model Number: A55 G3
Alternate Model Number(s): SLT-A55 (w/o GPS)  
Camera Format: SLR Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $849.99 $699.99
Street Price: $733.99  
Date Available: 2010-10-15 2011-06-21
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 25.6 oz (727 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
20.6 oz (583 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 4.9 x 3.6 x 3.3 in.
(124 x 92 x 85 mm)
4.5 x 3.3 x 1.8 in.
(115 x 84 x 47 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS Live MOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony Panasonic
Effective Megapixels: 16.2 16.0
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: 4.82 microns 3.77 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x 2.0x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2, 16:9 4:3
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 56
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 23.0 21.0
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 12.4 10.6
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 818 667
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)
4592 x 3448 (15.8 MP, 4:3),
4576 x 3056 (14.0 MP, 3:2),
4576 x 2576 (11.8 MP, 16:9),
3424 x 3424 (11.7 MP, 1:1),
3232 x 2424 (7.8 MP, 4:3),
3232 x 2160 (7.0 MP, 3:2),
3232 x 1824 (5.9 MP, Other),
2416 x 2416 (5.8 MP, 1:1),
2272 x 1704 (3.9 MP, 4:3),
2272 x 1520 (3.5 MP, Other),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
1712 x 1712 (2.9 MP, 1:1),
1824 x 1368 (2.5 MP, 4:3),
1824 x 1216 (2.2 MP, 3:2),
1824 x 1024 (1.9 MP, 16:9)
Image File Format: JPEG, RAW (ARW 2.2), RAW+JPEG JPEG, RAW, RAW + JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 9.0 3.4
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (60i/​50i)
1440x1080 (30/​25)
640x480 (30/​25)
1920x1080 (60i/​50i)
1280x720 (60/​50/​30)
640x480 (30)
320x240 (30)
Movie File Format: AVCHD, MP4 AVCHD (H.264), MotionJPEG
Composite Video Out: No Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: n/a Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a No
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 Panasonic 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH Lumix G VARIO MEGA O.I.S
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 27 - 83mm 28 - 84mm
Focal Length (actual): 18 - 55mm 14 - 42mm
Zoom Ratio: 3.00x 3.00x
Aperture Range: f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - ?? (T) f/3.5 - 22 (wide) / f.5.6 - 22 (tele)
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:   30 cm to Infinity
11.8 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 Yes
Digital Zoom Values: n/a 2x or 4x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Phase Detection: 15 points (3 points cross type); Wide, Spot, Local. Contrast Detection: Face detection, AF Tracking, 23-area-focusing, 1-area-focusing, Pinpoint Touch (1- area-focusing in Face detection, AF Tracking, Multi-area-focusing, 1-area-focusing, Pinpoint)
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: EVF / LCD EVF / LCD
Viewfinder Type: EVF type; 1.1cm (0.43") 1,152Kdots, 100% coverage, 1.10x mag., 19mm eyepoint, -4 to +4 diopter EVF; 1,440K dots eq., 1.4x mag., 17.5mm eyepoint, -4 to +4 diopter, eye sensor
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution:    
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.73x 0.70x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 1.10x 1.40x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 921,600 dots 460,000 dots
Touchscreen: No Yes
Articulating Screen: Yes Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen:
Selfie Screen:
Max Playback Zoom: 11.8x 16.0x
Top Deck Display: No No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 12800  
Minimum ISO (native): 100  
ISO Settings: Auto (100-1600), 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800. (Multi-frame NR mode up to ISO 25600) Auto, 160-6400 Intelligent ISO
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, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Halogen, Flash, White Set 1/2, Color Temperature Setting (2,500-10,000K in 100K steps)
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 30 sec 1/4000 - 60 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 144-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 action, Sunset, Night portrait, Night view, Hand-held Twilight, Sweep Panorama (2D/3D) Portrait, Soft Skin, Scenery, Architecture, Sports, Peripheral Defocus, Flower, Food, Objects,,Night Portrait, Night Scenery, Illiminatioms, Baby 1, 2, Pet, Party, Sunset
Self Timer: 2 or 10 seconds 2, 10, 10 (3 images) 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/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 10.0 m / 32.8 ft. 8.3 m / 27.2 ft.
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent Lens dependent
Max Flash Sync: 1/160 1/160
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 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: MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW (ARW 2.2), RAW+JPEG RAW, RAW + JPEG
Movie File Format: AVCHD, MP4 AVCHD (H.264), MotionJPEG
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 No
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 DMW-RSL1 cable remote
Connections (extended): Type-C HDMI Mini Connector (BRAVIA Sync, PhotoTV HD); Wired Remote Terminal, 3.5mm External Stereo Micophone Jack Mini HDMI (Type-C), 2.5mm remote socket, combined AV/USB connector
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.52 0.66
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.52 0.67
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 28 9
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 9.0 3.4
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 32 7
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 0.29 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):   0.30 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.214 seconds 0.091 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.48 seconds 0.57 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.103 seconds 0.080 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Full AF, wide-area mode = 0.218s Full Autofocus lag: Multi-area AF mode, Wide Angle = 0.294s Quick AF mode, Wide Angle = 0.297s
Startup Time: 0.9 seconds 1.4 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.6 seconds 0.8 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 3.7 seconds 5.5 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   270 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 330 shots  
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NP-FW50 Proprietary
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NP-FW50 Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software: Software CD-ROM (includes Picture Motion Browser, Image Data Converter SR, Image Data Lightbox SR) PHOTOfunSTUDIO 6.2 HD Edition, SILKYPIX Developer Studio 3.1 SE, Super LoiloScope (trial), USB Driver
OS Compatibility: Windows XP SP3/Vista SP2/7, Mac OS X (v.10.3 +)  
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. 16-megapixel Sensor, Improved High ISO IQ, Faster AF, Metal Body, 1920x1080 HD Movies, Articulating Touch-screen LCD, 2.5mm Remote Socket, Mini HDMI Type-C Connector. Available in black, brown, red or white.