• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • APS-C 372.1mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sony Alpha SLT-A55V
  • Pentax K-5
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:   Pentax K-7
K-7 vs K-5
Successor:   Pentax K-5 II
K-5 vs K-5 II
General
Model Number: A55 K-5
Alternate Model Number(s): SLT-A55 (w/o GPS)  
Camera Format: SLR Pro SLR
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $849.99 $1749.95
Street Price: $733.99 $799.99
Date Available: 2010-10-15 2010-10-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 25.6 oz (727 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
35.4 oz (1,003 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 4.9 x 3.6 x 3.3 in.
(124 x 92 x 85 mm)
5.2 x 3.8 x 2.9 in.
(131 x 97 x 73 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony Sony
Effective Megapixels: 16.2 16.3
Sensor Format: APS-C APS-C
Sensor size: 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm) 372.09mm2 (23.70mm x 15.70mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 4.82 microns 4.81 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 Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 73 82
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 23.0 23.7
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 12.4 14.1
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 818 1,162
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),
3936 x 2624 (10.3 MP, 3:2),
3072 x 2048 (6.3 MP, 3:2),
1728 x 1152 (2.0 MP, 3:2)
Image File Format: JPEG, RAW (ARW 2.2), RAW+JPEG JPEG (EXIF 2.21), 14-bit RAW (.PEF, .DNG)
Continuous-mode frames/second: 9.0 6.5
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (60i/​50i)
1440x1080 (30/​25)
640x480 (30/​25)
1920x1080 (25)
1280x720 (30/​25)
640x480 (30/​25)
Movie File Format: AVCHD, MP4 AVI (Motion JPEG)
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) Pentax K (KA/KAF/KAF2)
Lens: Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAM smc Pentax 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6AL DA WR
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 27 - 83mm 27 - 83mm
Focal Length (actual): 18 - 55mm 18 - 55mm
Zoom Ratio: 3.00x 3.06x
Aperture Range: f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - ?? (T) f/3.5 - f/22 (wide) / f/5.6 - f/38 (tele)
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:   25 cm to Infinity
9.8 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: 55.0mm 52.0mm
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: Phase Detection: 15 points (3 points cross type); Wide, Spot, Local. SAFOX IX+, 11 point (9 cross type focus point in the center), with light wavelength 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 pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.92x mag., 21.7mm eyepoint, -2.5 to +1.5 diopter
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution:   n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.73x 0.61x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 1.10x 0.92x
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 (307,200 px)
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: Yes No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom: 11.8x 32.0x
Top Deck Display: No Yes
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 12800 12800
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, 100-12800, expandable 80 to 51200
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, shade, cloudy, fluorescent (D, N, W, L), tungsten, flash, CTE, manual (up to 3 settings), Kelvin temperature (up to 3 settings)
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 30 sec 1/8000 - 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 TTL open-aperture: 77-segment, 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) Sensitivity Priority, Shutter and Aperture Priority
Self Timer: 2 or 10 seconds 2 or 12 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 P-TTL, Red-eye reduction, Slow-speed sync, Rear Curtain Sync. High-Speed Sync and Wireless Sync also available with PENTAX dedicated external flash.
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 10.0 m / 32.8 ft. 13.0 m / 42.7 ft.
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent Depends on lens
Max Flash Sync: 1/160 1/180
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps -2 to +1 EV in 0.5EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot shoe Hot Shoe, PC Sync socket
Built-In Wireless Flash Control: Full TTL exposure Full TTL exposure
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   No UHS support
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW (ARW 2.2), RAW+JPEG 14-bit RAW (.PEF, .DNG)
Movie File Format: AVCHD, MP4 AVI (Motion JPEG)
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 No
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes No
Remote Control Type: Optional Wireless or Wired Optional Wired or IR
Connections (extended): Type-C HDMI Mini Connector (BRAVIA Sync, PhotoTV HD); Wired Remote Terminal, 3.5mm External Stereo Micophone Jack Mini HMDI, DC input, wired remote, 3.5mm external stereo mic jack
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.52 <0.3
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.52 <0.3
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):   <0.3
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 9.0 6.5
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 32 31
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   6.5
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):   23
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   6.4
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):   22
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.22 seconds 0.10 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):   1.25 seconds
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):   0.384 seconds
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.214 seconds 0.092 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.48 seconds 0.21 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.103 seconds 0.092 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Full AF, wide-area mode = 0.218s OVF: Full Autofocus lag, Auto Area (11-points) AF = 0.118s Live View (firmware 1.02): - Full AF PD AF = 1.30s - Full AF CD AF = 1.25s - Prefocused = 0.384s
Startup Time: 0.9 seconds 0.6 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.6 seconds 0.3 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 3.7 seconds 2.2 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):    
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 330 shots 740 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NP-FW50 Proprietary D-LI90; optional D-BG4 Battery Grip
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NP-FW50 Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary D-LI90 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) Software (CD-ROM) S-SW110
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. New 16.3MP CMOS APS-C sensor with ISOs up to 51200, sensor-shift shake reduction, 1080p HD video at 25fps, 11-point SAFOX IX+ AF system, 100%, 0.92x viewfinder, electronic level with tilt scale, improved in-camera HDR, SDXC compatible with firmware update, weather sealed magnesium allow body on stainless steel chassis.