- 35mm 855.6mm2
- 24.3 megapixels
- ISO 100 - 25,600
- Go in depth with our full Sony A99 Review.
- See real-world photos taken with the A99.
- 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
- 16.1 megapixels
- 23.00mm - 900.00mm (35mm eq.)
- Go in depth with our full Nikon B500 Review.
| Links | ||
|---|---|---|
| Prices: | Compare Prices | Compare Prices |
| Manufacturer URL: | Manufacturer website | Manufacturer website |
| Predecessor: |
Nikon L840
L840 vs B500 |
|
| Successor: |
Sony A99 II
A99 vs A99 II |
Nikon B600
B500 vs B600 |
| General | ||
| Model Number: | A99 | B500 |
| Alternate Model Number(s): | SLT-A99V | |
| Camera Format: | SLR | Mid-Sized |
| Currently Manufactured: | No | Yes |
| Retail Price: | $2799.99 | $299.95 |
| Street Price: | $1,998.00 | $321.95 |
| Date Available: | 2012-10-15 | 2016-04-15 |
| Tripod Mount: | Yes | Yes |
| Weight: |
29.2 oz
(828 g)
includes batteries |
19.1 oz
(541 g)
includes batteries |
| Size: |
5.8 x
4.4 x
3.1 in. (147 x 111 x 78 mm) |
4.5 x
3.1 x
3.8 in. (114 x 78 x 96 mm) |
| Waterproof: | No | No |
| Waterproof Depth: | n/a | n/a |
| Image Sensor | ||
| Sensor Type: | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor Manufacturer: | Sony | |
| Effective Megapixels: | 24.3 | 16.1 |
| Sensor Format: | 35mm | 1/2.3 inch |
| Sensor size: | 855.62mm2 (35.80mm x 23.90mm) | 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm) |
| Approximate Pixel Pitch: | 5.97 microns | 1.34 microns |
| Focal Length Multiplier: | 1.0x | n/a |
| Aspect Ratio: | 3:2 | 4:3 |
| Color Filter Type: | RGBG | |
| Anti Aliasing Filter: | Fixed | None |
| Self-Cleaning: | Yes | No |
| Sensor shift image stabilization: | Yes | No |
| On-Sensor Phase Detect: | No | No |
| DxO Sensor Score: | 89 | |
| DxO Color Depth Score (bits): | 25.0 | |
| DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): | 14.0 | |
| DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): | 1,555 | |
| Image Capture | ||
| Image Resolution: |
6000 x 4000
(24.0 MP,
3:2), 6000 x 3376 (20.3 MP, 16:9), 3936 x 2624 (10.3 MP, 3:2), 3936 x 2216 (8.7 MP, 16:9), 2640 x 1760 (4.6 MP, 3:2), 2640 x 1488 (3.9 MP, Other), 1728 x 1152 (2.0 MP, 3:2), 1728 x 976 (1.7 MP, Other), 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) |
4608 x 3456
(15.9 MP,
4:3), 3264 x 2448 (8.0 MP, 4:3), 2272 x 1704 (3.9 MP, 4:3), 1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3), 640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3), 4608 x 2592 (11.9 MP, 16:9), 3456 x 3456 (11.9 MP, 1:1) |
| Image File Format: | JPEG (EXIF 2.3), 14-bit RAW (ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG | JPEG |
| Continuous-mode frames/second: | 5.9 | 7.4 |
| Video Capture | ||
| Can take movies: | Yes | Yes |
| Movie Resolution: |
1920x1080 (60p/28Mbps/PS or 60i/24Mbps/FX or 60i/17Mbps/FH or 24p/24Mbps/FX or 24p/17Mbps/FH)
1440x1080 (30p/12Mbps) 640x480 (30p/3Mbps) |
1920x1080 (60i/50i/30p/25p)
1280x720 (30p/25p) 640x480 (30p/25p) 1920x1080 (15p/12.5p) 640x480 (120p/100p) |
| Movie File Format: | AVCHD 2.0 / MP4; Audio :Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC | MP4 (Video: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, Audio: AAC 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) | n/a |
| Lens: | n/a | Zoom-Nikkor ED VR; 12 elements in 9 groups including 3 ED elements |
| Focal Length (35mm equivalent): | 23 - 900mm | |
| Focal Length (actual): | 4 - 160mm | |
| Zoom Ratio: | 40.00x | |
| Aperture Range: | f/3.0 or f/6.0 (wide) / f/6.5 or f/13 (tele), via electronically controlled ND filter (-2.0 AV) | |
| Integrated ND Filter: | No | No |
| Normal Focus Range: |
30 cm to Infinity 11.8 in to Infinity |
|
| Macro Focus Range: |
1 cm to Infinity 0.4 in to Infinity |
|
| Filter Thread: | n/a | n/a |
| Thread Type: | n/a | n/a |
| Optical Image Stabilization: | No | Yes |
| Digital Zoom: | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Zoom Values: | 1.4x / 2x | Up to 4x; 2x Dynamic Fine Zoom |
| Auto Focus | ||
| Auto Focus: | Yes | Yes |
| Auto Focus Type: | Dual Phase-detection: 19 points (11 points cross type) CCD line sensors, 102 assist points focal plane phase-detection sensors; Wide (auto, 19 points), Zone, Spot, Local selectable | Contrast Detection: Center, Face priority, Manual with 99 focus areas, Subject tracking, Target Finding AF |
| Auto Focus Assist Light? | Yes | Yes |
| Manual Focus: | Yes | No |
| Viewfinder | ||
| Viewfinder: | EVF / LCD | No / LCD |
| Viewfinder Type: | EVF type; 1.3cm (0.5-inch) 2,359K-dot XGA OLED, ~100% coverage, 0.71x magnification, 22mm eyepoint at -1 diopter (CIPA standard), -4 to +3 diopter, eye sensor. | |
| Focus Peaking: | Yes | No |
| EVF Resolution: | 2,359,000 dots | n/a |
| Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): | 0.71x | |
| Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): | 0.71x | |
| Display | ||
| Eye-level Viewfinder: | Yes | No |
| Rear Display: | Yes | Yes |
| Rear Display Size (inches): | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| Rear Display Resolution: | 1,228,800 dots (307,200 px) | 921,000 dots (307,200 px) |
| Touchscreen: | No | No |
| Articulating Screen: | Yes | Yes |
| Tilt Swivel Screen: | Yes | No |
| Selfie Screen: | Yes | No |
| Max Playback Zoom: | 16.7x | |
| Top Deck Display: | Yes | No |
| Exposure | ||
| Maximum ISO (native): | 25600 | 6400 |
| Minimum ISO (native): | 100 | 125 |
| ISO Settings: | Auto (100-6400 with selectable limits), 100-25600 in 1/3 EV steps, extendable down to ISO 50; Multi-frame NR up to ISO 51200 | Auto, 125, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200*, 6400*; *Available when using Auto mode |
| Auto ISO Mode: | Yes | Yes |
| White Balance Settings: | Auto WB, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent (Warm white/Cool white/Day white/Daylight), Flash, C. Temp 2500 to 9900K, C Filter G7 to M7 (15-step), Custom, AWB micro adjustment | Auto, Cloudy, Daylight, Flash, Fluorescent, Incandescent, Preset Manual |
| Shutter Speed Range: | 1/8000 - 30 sec | 1/1500 - 1 sec |
| Bulb Mode: | Yes | No |
| Exposure Compensation: | +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps | +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps |
| Metering Modes: | 1200-zone Evaluative, Center-weighted, Spot | Matrix, Center-weighted (digital zoom less than 2x), Spot (digital zoom 2X or more) |
| Program Auto Exposure: | Yes | Yes |
| Aperture Priority: | Yes | No |
| Shutter Priority: | Yes | No |
| Full Manual Exposure: | Yes | No |
| Creative Exposure Modes: | Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports Action, Sunset, Night Portrait, Night Scene, Hand-held Twilight, Sweep Panorama, Telezoom Continuous Priority AE | Smart Portrait, Backlighting, Beach, Bird-watching, Close-up, Dusk/Dawn, Easy Panorama, Fireworks Show, Food, Landscape, Moon, Night Landscape, Night Portrait, Party/Indoor, Pet Portrait, Portrait, Scene Auto Selector, Short Movie Show, Snow, Sports, Sunset, Special Effects |
| Self Timer: | 2, 10; 3 or 5 frames after 10s seconds | 10 or 2 seconds |
| Time Lapse (intervalometer): | ||
| High Resolution Composite: | No | No |
| Flash | ||
| Built-in Flash: | No | 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 Off, Flash On, w/ Red-eye Reduction, Flash Off; Slow Syncro |
| Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): | n/a | n/a |
| Flash Range Description: | n/a | Auto ISO: [W]: 0.5 to 6.9m [T]: 1.5 to 3.5m |
| Max Flash Sync: | 1/250 | |
| Flash Exposure Compensation: | +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps | |
| External Flash Connection: | Multi Interface Shoe, PC-Sync terminal | n/a |
| Built-In Wireless Flash Control: | No | |
| Image Storage | ||
| Usable Memory Types: | MS Duo / MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| UHS Support: | UHS-I | |
| Other Memory: | ||
| Dual Card Slots: | Yes | No |
| RAW Capture Support: | Yes | No |
| Uncompressed Format: | 14-bit RAW (ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG | |
| Movie File Format: | AVCHD 2.0 / MP4; Audio :Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC | MP4 (Video: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, Audio: AAC stereo) |
| Included Memory: | No memory included | 20.0 MB |
| Included Memory Type: | Internal | |
| Connectivity | ||
| Built-In Wi-Fi: | No | Yes |
| NFC: | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth: | No | Yes |
| Built-In GPS: | Yes | No |
| Microphone Jack: | Yes | No |
| Headphone Jack: | Yes | No |
| External Connections: | USB 2.0 High Speed | USB 2.0 High Speed,Bluetooth,WiFi |
| PictBridge Compliant: | Yes | No |
| DPOF Compliant: | Yes | Yes |
| Remote Control: | Yes | Yes |
| Remote Control Type: | Optional Wireless or Wired | Via Wi-Fi |
| Connections (extended): | Type-C HDMI Mini Connector (BRAVIA Sync, PhotoTV H); Wired Remote Terminal, External Stereo Micophone Jack, External Stereo Headphone Jack, DC Input, Vertical Grip connector, Sync Terminal, Multi Interface Shoe, Built-in GPS | Micro (Type-D) HDMI |
| Performance Timing | ||
| Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): | 0.50 | |
| Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): | 0.56 | |
| Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): | Unlimited | |
| Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): | 0.58 | |
| Camera penalizes early shutter press? | No | |
| JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): | 5.9 | 7.4 |
| Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): | 17 | 7 |
| RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): | 5.9 | |
| Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): | 18 | |
| RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): | 5.9 | |
| Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): | 13 | |
| Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): | 0.13 seconds | |
| Shutter lag (full AF, tele): | ||
| Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR): | ||
| Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR): | ||
| Shutter Lag (manual focus): | 0.081 seconds | |
| Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): | ||
| Shutter Lag (prefocused): | 0.055 seconds | |
| Shutter Lag (notes): | Full AF lag, Wide-area AF mode = 0.125s Prefocused shutter lag with Electronic First Curtain Off = 0.108s | |
| Startup Time: | 0.7 seconds | |
| Play -> Record Time: | 1.1 seconds | |
| Flash cycle time, full power: | ||
| Power | ||
| Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): | 500 shots | |
| Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): | 410 shots | |
| Battery Life, Video: | ||
| Battery Form Factor: | Proprietary NP-FM500H | 4 x AA |
| Usable Battery Types: | Lithium-ion rechargeable | Alkaline, Lithium disposables; NiMH rechargeables |
| Batteries Included: | 1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable | 4 x Alkaline AAs |
| Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): | Yes | No |
| Dedicated Battery Charger Included: | Yes | No |
| Internal Charging Supported: | No | No |
| Software | ||
| Included Software: | Software CD-ROM (includes Picture Motion Browser, Image Data Converter 4, Remote Camera Control 3) | |
| OS Compatibility: | Windows XP SP3/Vista SP2/7, Mac OS X (v.10.5 +); PMB is Windows only | |
| Miscellaneous | ||
| Notes & Features: | 24.3MP full-frame image sensor, SteadyShot INSIDE image stabilization, dual phase-detect AF, 200K shutter, AVCHD 2.0 video, hi-res OLED EVF, articulating 1.3M-dot LCD, 6 fps bursts at full resolution, up to 10 fps Tele-zoom mode, two card slots (SD/MS, SD), real-time Full HD video out via HDMI, built-in GPS. | Available in black and red. |
