• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sony Alpha SLT-A55V
  • Canon PowerShot G15
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:   Canon G12
G12 vs G15
Successor:   Canon G16
G15 vs G16
General
Model Number: A55 G15
Alternate Model Number(s): SLT-A55 (w/o GPS)  
Camera Format: SLR Mid-Sized
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $849.99 $499.99
Street Price: $733.99 $649.95
Date Available: 2010-10-15 2012-10-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 25.6 oz (727 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
12.3 oz (350 g)
includes batteries
Size: 4.9 x 3.6 x 3.3 in.
(124 x 92 x 85 mm)
4.2 x 3.0 x 1.6 in.
(107 x 76 x 40 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony  
Effective Megapixels: 16.2 12.1
Sensor Format: APS-C 1/1.7 inch
Sensor size: 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm) 43.32mm2 (7.6mm x 5.7mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 4.82 microns 1.90 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x n/a
Aspect Ratio: 3:2, 16:9 4:3
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed  
Self-Cleaning: Yes No
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 73 46
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 23.0 19.9
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 12.4 11.5
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 818 165
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)
4000 x 3000 (12.0 MP, 4:3),
4000 x 2664 (10.7 MP, 3:2),
4000 x 2248 (9.0 MP, 16:9),
2992 x 2992 (9.0 MP, 1:1),
2816 x 2112 (5.9 MP, 4:3),
2816 x 1880 (5.3 MP, 3:2),
2816 x 1584 (4.5 MP, 16:9),
2112 x 2112 (4.5 MP, 1:1),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
1600 x 1064 (1.7 MP, 3:2),
1200 x 1200 (1.4 MP, 1:1),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3),
640 x 424 (0.3 MP, Other),
640 x 360 (0.2 MP, 16:9)
Image File Format: JPEG, RAW (ARW 2.2), RAW+JPEG JPEG (EXIF 2.2), 12-bit RAW (.CR2), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 9.0 10.2
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (60i/​50i)
1440x1080 (30/​25)
640x480 (30/​25)
1920x1080 (24)
1280x720 (30)
640x480 (30)
Movie File Format: AVCHD, MP4 MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: Stereo PCM)
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) n/a
Lens: Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAM Canon Zoom Lens
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 27 - 83mm 28 - 140mm
Focal Length (actual): 18 - 55mm 6.1 - 30.5mm
Zoom Ratio: 3.00x 5.00x
Aperture Range: f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - ?? (T) f/1.8 (W) / f/2.8 (T) - f/8.0
Integrated ND Filter: No Yes
Normal Focus Range:   5 cm to Infinity
2.0 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:   1 - 50 cm
0.4 - 19.7 in
Filter Thread: 55.0mm 58.0mm
Thread Type: n/a Via optional lens adapter
Optical Image Stabilization: No Yes
Digital Zoom: No Yes
Digital Zoom Values: n/a Up to 4x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Phase Detection: 15 points (3 points cross type); Wide, Spot, Local. Contrast Detect AF with Face Detection; 9-point AiAF, 1-point (center for face select and track)
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 Real-image optical zoom; Picture coverage: approx. 80%; Eyepoint: 15mm; Dioptic Adjustment Range: -3.0 - +1.0m
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 Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 921,600 dots 922,000 dots (307,200 px)
Touchscreen: No No
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 80
ISO Settings: Auto (100-1600), 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800. (Multi-frame NR mode up to ISO 25600) Auto, ISO 80 to 12800
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, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Flash, Custom 1/2, Underwater
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 30 sec 1/4000 - 15 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes No
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 1200-zone Evaluative, Center-weighted, Spot Evaluative, Center-weighted average, Spot; Face Detect AE
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) Scene modes (Portrait, Smooth Skin, Smart Shutter, High-Speed Burst HQ, Handheld NightScene, Underwater, Snow, Fireworks, Stitch Assist), Creative Filters (High Dynamic Range, Nostalgic, Fish-eye Effect, Miniature Effect, Toy Camera Effect, Soft Focus, Monochrome, Super Vivid, Poster Effect, Color Accent, Color Swap)
Self Timer: 2 or 10 seconds 1 - 30 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 w/Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On w/Red-eye Reduction, Flash Off; FE lock, Safety FE, Slow Synchro, Second-curtain synchro
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 10.0 m / 32.8 ft. n/a
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent Auto ISO: 1.6 ft.-23 ft./50 cm-7 m (W), 1.6-15 ft./50cm-4.5m (T)
Max Flash Sync: 1/160 1/2000
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 12-bit RAW (.CR2), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format: AVCHD, MP4 MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: Stereo PCM)
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 Wired
Connections (extended): Type-C HDMI Mini Connector (BRAVIA Sync, PhotoTV HD); Wired Remote Terminal, 3.5mm External Stereo Micophone Jack Combined USB/AV, Mini (Type-C) HDMI, Remote Terminal
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.52 2.07
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.52 2.83
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):   2.91
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 9.0 10.2
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 32 10
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   1.2
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):   20
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   1.0
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):   5
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.22 seconds 0.46 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):   0.46 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.214 seconds 0.454 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.48 seconds 0.71 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.103 seconds 0.073 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Full AF, wide-area mode = 0.218s  
Startup Time: 0.9 seconds 2.2 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.6 seconds 1.7 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 3.7 seconds 3.0 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   350 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 330 shots 770 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NP-FW50 Proprietary NB-10L
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NP-FW50 Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NB-10L 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) Digital Camera Solution CD-ROM
OS Compatibility: Windows XP SP3/Vista SP2/7, Mac OS X (v.10.3 +) Windows XP SP3/Vista/7, Mac OS
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. Fast f/1.8(W)-f/2.8(T) lens, DIGIC 5 processor, Intelligent Image Stabilization, improved AF performance, 10 fps High-Speed Burst mode, Full HD 1080p24 video, 58 scene Smart Auto, supports conversion lenses.