• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 18.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
  • Canon EOS-1D X
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:   Canon 1Ds Mark III
1Ds Mark III vs 1DX
Successor:   Canon 1DX Mark II
1DX vs 1DX Mark II
General
Model Number: DSLR-A500 1DX
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: SLR Pro SLR
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $849.99 $6800.00
Street Price:   $5,299.00
Date Available: 2009-10-08 2012-06-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 31.7 oz (900 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
54.7 oz (1,551 g)
includes batteries
Size: 5.4 x 4.1 x 3.3 in.
(137 x 104 x 84 mm)
6.2 x 6.4 x 3.3 in.
(158 x 164 x 83 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony Canon
Effective Megapixels: 12.3 18.1
Sensor Format: APS-C 35mm
Sensor size: 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm) 864mm2 (36.00mm x 24.00mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.55 microns 6.94 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x 1.0x
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 No
DxO Sensor Score: 64 82
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 21.8 23.8
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 11.6 11.8
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 772 2,786
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4272 x 2848 (12.2 MP, 3:2),
4272 x 2400 (10.3 MP, 16:9),
3104 x 2072 (6.4 MP, 3:2),
3104 x 1744 (5.4 MP, 16:9),
2128 x 1416 (3.0 MP, 3:2),
2188 x 1192 (2.6 MP, Other)
5184 x 3456 (17.9 MP, 3:2),
4608 x 3072 (14.2 MP, 3:2),
3456 x 2304 (8.0 MP, 3:2),
2592 x 1728 (4.5 MP, 3:2)
Image File Format: JPEG, RAW JPEG, RAW, M-RAW (10.1MP), S-RAW (4.5MP); 14-bit CR2; RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 4.9 12.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: No Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (30p/​25p/​24p)
1280x720 (60p/​50p)
640x480 (30p/​25p)
Movie File Format:   MOV (Video: H.264 Intra/Inter frame, Sound: Linear 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) Canon EF
Lens: Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAM n/a
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 27 - 83mm  
Focal Length (actual): 18 - 55mm  
Zoom Ratio: 3.00x  
Aperture Range: f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - ?? (T)  
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:    
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: 55.0mm n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No No
Digital Zoom: No
Digital Zoom Values: n/a  
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 9-point TTL phase detection (one cross-type sensor) with eye-start AF; Wide, Spot, Local modes Phase Detect : 61-point / 41 F4 cross-type AF points inc 5 dual cross type at F2.8; Spot, Single, Single + Adj 4 pts, Single + Adj 8 pts, Zone, Auto
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes No
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD Optical / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.80x mag., 19mm eyepoint, -2.5 to +1.0 diopter SLR type; eye-level pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.76x magnification, 20mm eyepoint, -3.0 to +1.0 diopter
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.53x 0.76x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.80x 0.76x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.2
Rear Display Resolution: 230,400 dots 1,040,000 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: Yes No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom: 13.4x 10.0x
Top Deck Display: No Yes
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 12800 51200
Minimum ISO (native): 200 100
ISO Settings: Auto (200-1600), 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800 Auto (100-51200), 100-51200 (in 1/3-stop or whole stop increments), ISO can be expanded to L: 50, H1: 102400, H2: 204800
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, White Fluorescent light, Flash, Custom (up to 5), Color Temperature (Kelvin)
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: 40-segment Multi Segment, Center-weighted, Spot; (1200 zone evaluative metering in Live View) 100K-pixel RGB sensor: 252-zone Evaluative (35 zones in low light), Center-weighted, Partial, Spot (Center, AF Point-linked, Multi (max 8 spots))
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, Sunset, Night Portrait/Night View Multiple Exposure.
Self Timer: 2 or 10 seconds 10, 2 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):   No
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes No
Flash Modes: Auto, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Wireless, High-Speed sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off n/a
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. n/a
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent n/a
Max Flash Sync: 1/160 1/250
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot shoe PC Sync, Hot Shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control: Full TTL exposure  
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: MS Duo / MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC CF1 / CF2
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:   UDMA7 compliant
Dual Card Slots: No Yes
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW RAW, M-RAW (10.1MP), S-RAW (4.5MP); 14-bit CR2; RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format:   MOV (Video: H.264 Intra/Inter frame, Sound: Linear PCM)
Included Memory:   No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No Yes
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed,Ethernet
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional Wireless or Wired Optional wired (N3 contact), wireless
Connections (extended): DC input, mini-HDMI, Wired Remote System extension terminal, RJ-45 LAN (1000BASE-T), mini HDMI, stereo mic mini jack, PC-sync terminal
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.48 <0.3
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.47 <0.3
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 9 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): 4.9 12.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 5 56
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   12.0
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):   31
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   12.0
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):   16
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.18 seconds 0.13 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):   0.75 seconds
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):   0.064 seconds
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.182 seconds 0.095 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.21 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.074 seconds 0.056 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Quick AF Live View: Center AF: 0.180s Wide-area AF: 0.181s Full AF lag, wide-area mode = 0.221s Prefocused lag, Shortened enabled = 0.038s Live View AF lag, phase-detect = 0.897s Live View AF lag, contrast-detect = 0.746s Live View prefocused lag = 0.064s
Startup Time: 0.5 seconds 0.5 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.3 seconds 0.2 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 3.4 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):    
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 1000 shots 1120 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NP-FM500H Proprietary LP-E4N
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H 1 x Proprietary LP-E4N 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/USB Driver CD-ROM Digital Photo Professional, EOS Utility, ZoomBrowser EX / ImageBrowser, Photostitch, Picture Style Editor
OS Compatibility: Windows 2000/XP/Vista, Mac OS X (v. 10.13+) Windows XP (SP2/SP3) / Vista inc SP1 (excl. Starter Edition) / 7 (excl. Starter Edition); OS X v10.4-10.6
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Exmore CMOS Sensor, Variable-angle LCD, SteadyShot In-body Sensor-shift Image Stabilization, Live View, Auto HDR, D-Range Optimizer (Auto, Level 1-5), HDMI Output. 18MP Full-frame CMOS sensor with 16-channel readout, dual DIGIC 5+ processors, advanced dust reduction, new 100K-pixel RGB metering system, new 61-point AF system, 12 fps burst (up to 14 fps in JPEG only, mirror locked-up), dual CF card slots, GbE port.