• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 200.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
  • Nikon Coolpix S3600
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor:    
General
Model Number: DSLR-A500 S3600
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: SLR Ultra Compact
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $849.99 $139.95
Street Price:   $349.98
Date Available: 2009-10-08 2014-02-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 31.7 oz (900 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
4.4 oz (125 g)
includes batteries
Size: 5.4 x 4.1 x 3.3 in.
(137 x 104 x 84 mm)
3.8 x 2.3 x 0.8 in.
(97 x 58 x 20 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CCD
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony  
Effective Megapixels: 12.3 20.1
Sensor Format: APS-C 1/2.3 inch
Sensor size: 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm) 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.55 microns 1.20 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x n/a
Aspect Ratio: 3:2, 16:9 4:3
Color Filter Type: RGBG  
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed  
Self-Cleaning: Yes No
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 64  
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 21.8  
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 11.6  
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 772  
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)
5152 x 3864 (19.9 MP, 4:3),
3648 x 2736 (10.0 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),
5120 x 2880 (14.7 MP, 16:9)
Image File Format: JPEG, RAW JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 4.9 1.1
Video Capture
Can take movies: No Yes
Movie Resolution: 1280x720 (30p/​25p)
640x480 (30p/​25p)
320x240 (30p)
Movie File Format:   AVI (Motion JPEG)
Composite Video Out: No Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: n/a Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a
HD Video Out: Yes No
HD Video Connection: HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Sony Alpha (Minolta A) n/a
Lens: Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAM Zoom-NIKKOR; 8 elements in 7 groups
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 27 - 83mm 25 - 200mm
Focal Length (actual): 18 - 55mm 4.5 - 36mm
Zoom Ratio: 3.00x 8.00x
Aperture Range: f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - ?? (T) f/3.7 (wide) / f/6.6 (tele) - ??? with ND filter
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:   50 cm to Infinity
19.7 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:   2 cm to Infinity
0.8 in to Infinity
Filter Thread: 55.0mm n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
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: 9-point TTL phase detection (one cross-type sensor) with eye-start AF; Wide, Spot, Local modes Contrast Detect: 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: Optical / LCD No / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.80x mag., 19mm eyepoint, -2.5 to +1.0 diopter  
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.53x  
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.80x  
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 2.7
Rear Display Resolution: 230,400 dots 230,000 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: Yes No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom: 13.4x  
Top Deck Display: No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 12800 3200
Minimum ISO (native): 200 80
ISO Settings: Auto (200-1600), 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800 Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600; ISO 3200 available when using Auto mode
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom Auto, Cloudy, Daylight, Flash, Fluorescent, Incandescent, Preset Manual
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 30 sec 1/1500 - 4 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes No
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 40-segment Multi Segment, Center-weighted, Spot; (1200 zone evaluative metering in Live View) 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, Sunset, Night Portrait/Night View Back Light, Beach, Black and White Copy, Close Up, Dusk/Dawn, Fireworks Show, Food, Museum, Night Landscape, Night Portrait, Panorama Assist, Party/Indoor, Pet Portrait, Portrait, Snow, Sports, Sunset
Self Timer: 2 or 10 seconds 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Auto, 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
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. n/a
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent Auto ISO: [W]: 0.5 to 3.5m (1ft. 8 in. to 11 ft.) [T]: 1.5 to 2.0m (5 ft. to 6 ft. 6 in.)
Max Flash Sync: 1/160  
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps  
External Flash Connection: Hot shoe n/a
Built-In Wireless Flash Control: Full TTL exposure  
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: MS Duo / MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes No
Uncompressed Format: RAW  
Movie File Format:   AVI (Motion JPEG)
Included Memory:   25.0 MB
Included Memory Type:   Internal
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC:
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes No
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional Wireless or Wired  
Connections (extended): DC input, mini-HDMI, Wired Remote  
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.48  
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.47  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 9  
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 4.9 1.1
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 5 6
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):    
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):    
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.18 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.182 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.21 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.074 seconds  
Shutter Lag (notes): Quick AF Live View: Center AF: 0.180s Wide-area AF: 0.181s  
Startup Time: 0.5 seconds  
Play -> Record Time: 0.3 seconds  
Flash cycle time, full power: 3.4 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   230 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 1000 shots  
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NP-FM500H Proprietary EN-EL19
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H 1 x Proprietary EN-EL19 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software: Software/USB Driver CD-ROM Nikon ViewNX 2 CD-ROM
OS Compatibility: Windows 2000/XP/Vista, Mac OS X (v. 10.13+) Windows, Mac OS
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. Available in Silver, Black, Pink or Blue.