• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • 35mm 855.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Sony A55 advantages over Sony A99

  • Less expensive
    $850 vs $2800 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.0 fps vs 5.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    32 vs 17 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sony A99 advantages over Sony A55

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.97 vs 4.82 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,555 vs 818 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    13.9 vs 12.4 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 500 vs 330 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1229k vs 922k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.13 vs 0.22 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 16.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in GPS
    Both provide
    Geotag your photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Canon T2i

Sony A55
Canon T2i
  • $734
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $692
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Sony A99
Canon T2i
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $692
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Lens selection

Compared to Sony A33

Sony A55
Sony A33
  • $734
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Built-in GPS
  • $540
  • APS-C
Sony A99
Sony A33
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

Compared to Sony A35

Sony A55
Sony A35
  • $734
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in GPS
  • $567
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
Sony A99
Sony A35
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $567
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

Compared to Nikon D800

Sony A55
Nikon D800
  • $734
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Sony A99
Nikon D800
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Sony A55
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $734
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $2139
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Sony A99
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2139
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
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