• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • APS-C 364.3mm2
  • 19.6 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
  • Sigma sd Quattro
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Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor:    
General
Model Number: DSLR-A500 sd Quattro
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: SLR Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No Yes
Retail Price: $849.99 $799.99
Street Price:   $699.00
Date Available: 2009-10-08 2016-07-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 31.7 oz (900 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
22.0 oz (625 g)
Size: 5.4 x 4.1 x 3.3 in.
(137 x 104 x 84 mm)
5.8 x 3.7 x 3.6 in.
(147 x 95 x 91 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony Foveon X3 Quattro
Effective Megapixels: 12.3 19.6
Sensor Format: APS-C APS-C
Sensor size: 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm) 364.25mm2 (23.50mm x 15.50mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.55 microns 4.33 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2, 16:9 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG Full Color
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Not needed
Self-Cleaning: Yes No
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No Yes
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)
5424 x 3616 (19.6 MP, 3:2),
4816 x 3616 (17.4 MP, 4:3),
5424 x 3048 (16.5 MP, 16:9),
3616 x 3616 (13.1 MP, 1:1),
4480 x 3616 (16.2 MP, Other),
5424 x 2328 (12.6 MP, Other),
7680 x 5120 (39.3 MP, 3:2),
6816 x 5120 (34.9 MP, 4:3),
7680 x 4320 (33.2 MP, 16:9),
5120 x 5120 (26.2 MP, 1:1),
7680 x 3296 (25.3 MP, Other),
6352 x 5120 (32.5 MP, Other)
Image File Format: JPEG, RAW JPEG (EXIF 2.3), Lossless compressed 14-bit X3F RAW, (Uncompressed 12-bit DNG via upcoming firmware update), RAW(X3F)+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 4.9 n/a
Video Capture
Can take movies: No No
Movie Resolution:
Movie File Format:    
Composite Video Out: No No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: n/a n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a n/a
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Sony Alpha (Minolta A) Sigma SA bayonet
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
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 Hybrid Phase/Contrast Detect AF: 9 points select mode, Free move mode (It is possible to change the size of Focus Frame to Spot, Regular and Large), Face Detection AF Mode
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD EVF / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.80x mag., 19mm eyepoint, -2.5 to +1.0 diopter EVF: 2,360K-dot LCD, 100% coverage, 1.10x magnification, 21mm eyepoint, -4 to +2 diopter
Focus Peaking: No Yes
EVF Resolution: n/a 2,360,000 dots
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.53x 0.73x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.80x 1.10x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 230,400 dots 1,620,000 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: Yes No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom: 13.4x  
Top Deck Display: No No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 12800 6400
Minimum ISO (native): 200 100
ISO Settings: Auto (200-1600), 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800 Auto, 100-6400 in 1/3 EV steps; Auto has programmable High/Low limits
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom Auto, Auto (Lighting Source Priority), Daylight, Shade, Overcast, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Color Temperature, Flash, Custom 1/2/3
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 30 sec 1/4000 - 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) Evaluative, center-weighted average, spot
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 Color modes: Standard, Vivid, Neutral, Portrait, Landscape, Cinema, Sunset Red, Forest Green, FOV Classic Blue, FOV Classic Yellow, Monochrome
Self Timer: 2 or 10 seconds 2 or 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
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 1/180
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot shoe Hot Shoe, PC Socket
Built-In Wireless Flash Control: Full TTL exposure No
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 Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW Lossless compressed 14-bit X3F RAW, (Uncompressed 12-bit DNG via upcoming firmware update), RAW(X3F)+JPEG
Movie File Format:    
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 No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 3.0 Super Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes No
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional Wireless or Wired Optional wired (Cable Release Switch CR-3)
Connections (extended): DC input, mini-HDMI, Wired Remote Mini (Type-C) HDMI
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  
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 5  
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   3.6
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):   14
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):    
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 1000 shots  
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NP-FM500H Proprietary BP-61
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H 1 x Proprietary BP-61 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 SIGMA Photo Pro Download
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.