• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 18.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sony Alpha SLT-A55V
  • Canon EOS M
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor:   Canon EOS M3
EOS M vs EOS M3
General
Model Number: A55 EOS M
Alternate Model Number(s): SLT-A55 (w/o GPS)  
Camera Format: SLR Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $849.99 $600.00
Street Price: $733.99  
Date Available: 2010-10-15 2012-10-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 25.6 oz (727 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
17.7 oz (503 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 4.9 x 3.6 x 3.3 in.
(124 x 92 x 85 mm)
4.3 x 2.6 x 1.3 in.
(109 x 67 x 32 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony Canon
Effective Megapixels: 16.2 18.0
Sensor Format: APS-C APS-C
Sensor size: 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm) 332.27mm2 (22.30mm x 14.90mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 4.82 microns 4.30 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x 1.6x
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 No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No Yes
DxO Sensor Score: 73 65
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 23.0 22.1
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 12.4 11.2
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 818 827
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)
5184 x 3456 (17.9 MP, 3:2),
3456 x 2304 (8.0 MP, 3:2),
2592 x 1728 (4.5 MP, 3:2),
1920 x 1280 (2.5 MP, 3:2),
720 x 480 (0.3 MP, 3:2)
Image File Format: JPEG, RAW (ARW 2.2), RAW+JPEG JPEG, .CR2 14-bit RAW, RAW+L/F JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 9.0 4.2
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (60i/​50i)
1440x1080 (30/​25)
640x480 (30/​25)
1920x1080 (30p/​25p/​24p)
1280x720 (60p/​50p)
640x480 (30p/​25p)
Movie File Format: AVCHD, MP4 MOV (Image data: H.264; audio: Linear PCM (Stereo))
Composite Video Out: No Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: n/a Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Sony Alpha (Minolta A) Canon EF-M
Lens: Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAM Canon EF-M 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 27 - 83mm 29 - 88mm
Focal Length (actual): 18 - 55mm 18 - 55mm
Zoom Ratio: 3.00x 3.10x
Aperture Range: f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - ?? (T) f/3.5 - f/22 (W) / f/5.6 - f/36 (T); 7-blade circular aperture
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:   25 cm to Infinity
9.8 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: 55.0mm 58.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No Yes
Digital Zoom: No
Digital Zoom Values: n/a  
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Phase Detection: 15 points (3 points cross type); Wide, Spot, Local. Hybrid phase-detect/contrast-detect AF on image sensor: FlexiZone - Multi (31 zones, AF at the touched Zone), Single; Face Detection + Tracking AF
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: EVF / LCD No / LCD
Viewfinder Type: 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): 0.73x  
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 1.10x  
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 921,600 dots 1,040,000 dots
Touchscreen: No Yes
Articulating Screen: Yes No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom: 11.8x 10.0x
Top Deck Display: No No
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 (100-6400), 100-12800 in 1EV steps, expandable to H=25600
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, Twilight and Sunset, Tungsten, White Fluorescent, Flash, Custom
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 30 sec 1/4000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 1200-zone Evaluative, Center-weighted, Spot Evaluative metering, partial metering (center: approx. 11%), spot metering (center: approx. 2.8%), center-weighted average metering
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) Creative Auto, Portrait, Landscape, Close-up, Sports, Night Portrait, Handheld Night Scene mode, HDR Backlight Control mode, Multi-Shot Noise Reduction; Creative filters (Art Bold, Water painting, Grainy B/W, Soft focus, Toy camera, Miniature effect, Fish-eye)
Self Timer: 2 or 10 seconds 10, 2 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes No
Flash Modes: Auto, Off, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Wireless, High-Speed sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye; FE Lock
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 10.0 m / 32.8 ft. n/a
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent n/a
Max Flash Sync: 1/160 1/200
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:   UHS-I
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW (ARW 2.2), RAW+JPEG .CR2 14-bit RAW, RAW+L/F JPEG
Movie File Format: AVCHD, MP4 MOV (Image data: H.264; audio: Linear PCM (Stereo))
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 Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional Wireless or Wired Optional RC-6 wireless remote
Connections (extended): Type-C HDMI Mini Connector (BRAVIA Sync, PhotoTV HD); Wired Remote Terminal, 3.5mm External Stereo Micophone Jack Mini HDMI, External 3.5mm Stereo Mic Jack
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.52 1.94
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.52 2.02
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):   2.33
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 9.0 4.2
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 32 13
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   4.4
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):   6
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   4.1
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):   3
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.22 seconds 0.74 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 0.173 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.48 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.103 seconds 0.051 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Full AF, wide-area mode = 0.218s Full AF shutter lag, wide area mode = 0.878s
Startup Time: 0.9 seconds 2.7 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.6 seconds 1.4 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 3.7 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   230 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 330 shots  
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NP-FW50 Proprietary LP-E12
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeble
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NP-FW50 Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary LP-E12 Lithium-ion rechargeble
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) EOS Digital Solutions Disc
OS Compatibility: Windows XP SP3/Vista SP2/7, Mac OS X (v.10.3 +) Windows XP inc SP3 / Vista inc SP1 and SP2 (excl. Starter Edition) / 7 (excl. Starter Edition) OS X v10.6-10.7 (Intel processor required)
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. Full HD movies with Movie Servo AF, manual exposure control, built-in stereo mic with manual audio level adjustment, Video Snapshot. DIGIC 5 processor, Hybrid CMOS AF, 3-inch 1.04M-dot touchscreen LCD, optional EF lens adapter. Available in black or white.