Sony SLT-A55 with 18-55mm Lens

Model: SLT-A55VL


Availability: In stock

$799.99
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Quick Overview

16.2MP, Translucent Mirror Technology, Quick AF Full HD Movie, GPS tagging, Live View with Phase detection, 10 fps, 15-point auto focus, 18-55mm zoom lens included



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Manufacturer Sony
Model SLT-A55VL
Megapixels 16
Crop Factor 1.5x (APS-C)
Mount Sony/Minolta A
Screen Size 3"
Screen Resolution 920,000 Dot
Tilt/Swivel LCD Tilt & Swivel
AF Points 19
Image Stabilization Yes
Frames-Per-Second 10
Movie Mode HD (1080)
Weather-sealed No
Top-Deck LCD No
Vertical Grip Unavailable
Memory Card SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick
Live View Yes
Screen Type No

Change the way you shoot pictures with Sony's new Translucent Mirror Technology DSLR camera. The SLT-A55V a DSLR camera features professional-grade continuous shooting at 10 fps and visibly faster, more accurate focus in Live View and HD Movie modes. Compose your shots on either the LCD monitor or electronic viewfinder with 100% framing accuracy. Advanced features including Auto HDR, Sweep Panorama and 15-point Auto Focus make it dramatically easier to get the best shot.

It's all about speed and precision. Capture the decisive moment with the a55V, Sony's top-of-the-line Translucent Mirror Technology DSLR. Now you can focus and shoot simultaneously for fast, precise performance. And because the mirror never moves, the time needed to raise and lower the mirror is eliminated. This all helps continuous shooting up to 10 frames per second, complete with continuous auto focus. Auto focus is also visibly faster in Live View and HD Movie modes. There's also built-in GPS photo tagging that lets you map your memories on your compatible computer.

Features:

  • Translucent Mirror Technology
    Other DSLRs can shoot. Or they can focus with the speed and precision of Phase Detection AF. They cannot do both at once. The SLT-A55 is the world's first DSLR with Translucent Mirror Technology that directs light to both the image sensor and the Phase Detection AF sensor simultaneously.
  • 16.2 megapixel resolution
    You get incredible detail and gorgeous enlargements. Thanks to the 16.2 megapixel APS-C sensor size and Sony Exmor APS HD CMOS technology, the camera achieves high resolution with no penalty in low-light sensitivity or sensor noise.
  • Full HD 1080/60i movies1
    This is one of the very few DSLRs with 1080/60i Full HD, exactly the same resolution and frame rate as most broadcast and cable HDTV channels. Records in 1080/60i AVCHD format, 1080/30p high definition in PC-friendly MP4 format and standard definition 480/30p in MP4 format.1
  • Auto HDR built into camera
    Captures more scene dynamic range than a single exposure can handle?and more range than photo film. Combines the best highlight detail from one shot, the best mid-tones from a second and the best shadow detail from a third for one incredible shot. Captures in a split second. (Recommended for still subjects.)
  • Eye-Level Electronic Viewfinder
    The Tru-finder Electronic Viewfinder (EVF) is super bright, easy to see with 1.1x magnification, ultra-sharp with 1.44 million dots (1.15 effective) and provides 100% frame coverage. Exposure preview and informative overlays make operation easy.
  • Tilt/swivel 3" LCD screen2
    Tilt it up or down to frame high- and low-angle shots that would otherwise be hit-or-miss. Tilt and swivel under the camera for self-portraits. Fold it flush to the camera with the LCD exposed for shooting or protected for travel.
  • Live View in LCD or EVF
    You can use both the LCD monitor and Electronic Viewfinder for composing shots. Both provide a what-you-see-is-what-you-get preview of white balance, focus, depth of field, exposure and 100% framing accuracy, plus informative on-screen displays.
  • AUTO+ (Advanced Auto) mode
    Get cleaner, more dynamic pictures and fewer missed shots. Unifies and simplifies Sony intelligent technologies, the camera automatically recognizes the correct scene mode, then quickly shoots and combines up to six shots to produce images with greater clarity, optimum dynamic range using Auto HDR technology and lower image noise using 6 shots layering technology.
  • Pro-style "rack focus" movie effect
    A hallmark of today's movies is the "rack focus" effect, when the cinematographer changes focus between background and foreground subjects. This usually involves careful planning, a tape measure and dedicated a crew member for "pulling" focus. With the SLT-A55V, you can perform this pro-style effect simply by changing the selected AF Area within the frame.
  • Graphic Display
    Clarifies the relationship between aperture and shutter speed, as well as the effect each has on photographic results.
  • 1200-Zone exposure metering
    Reads exposure directly from the main image sensor. Choice of Multi, Center and Spot metering accommodates a full range of shooting situations.
  • Powerful supplied software
    To help you refine and manage your images and video, the camera is equipped with computer software including Image Data Converter SR, Image Data Lightbox SR and Picture Motion Browser (PMB).8
  • HDMI output for HD viewing
    Enjoy HD movies and stunning still images on a compatible HDTV. The camera includes an HDMI output9. In addition, the BRAVIA Sync system works with compatible Sony BRAVIA HDTVs enabling you to control camera playback using the television's remote4.
  • Up to 330 Shots of battery life5
    Take up to 330 shots on a single charge with Sony Stamina battery power.5 Sony's InfoLITHIUM battery system enables you to see the percent of power remaining, so you can keep shooting in confidence.
  • Built-in Auto Pop-Up Flash
    To help you shoot more effectively, the built-in flash automatically pops up and fires as needed when the camera is set to certain scene selection modes. The built-in flash can also trigger a wireless accessory flash (sold separately). The integrated hot shoe enables you to expand your lighting options with a range of accessory flashes (sold separately).
  • PhotoTV HD compatibility6
    Optimizes compatible BRAVIA televisions for gorgeous display of digital pictures.6
  • Quick AF for Full HD Movie1 Capture
    When most DSLRs shoot video, their Contrast AF is slow and visibly "hunts" for focus. The Quick AF Full HD Movie1 retains the same fast, precise Phase Detection you enjoy for still images. It's a decisive advantage for tracking fast-moving subjects and a major benefit of Translucent Mirror Technology.
  • Sony Exmor technology
    Conventional image sensors use only a handful of analog-to-digital (A/D) converters, which can slow you down. The Exmor sensor provides more than 4,000 column-parallel A/D converters. This helps enable continuous shooting at up to 10 frames per second.
  • Hand-held Night Shot
    Get cleaner and sharper nighttime pictures?beyond the capability of traditional cameras?without using flash or a tripod. The camera captures six images in a fraction of a second. Combining the data with separate algorithms for still and moving parts of the picture reduces blur, minimizes noise and enables extraordinary detail.
  • Built-in GPS
    An integrated GPS receiver records the location and time of every shot you take and lets you view your images on a map with compatible computer and Internet applications, so you can remember where you took your favorite shots.
  • 15-point Auto Focus
    To maximize the value of Translucent Mirror Technology, Sony incorporates Phase Detection AF of great sophistication. Three cross sensors maximize precision.
  • Main Sensor Quick AF Live View
    This the world's first DSLR to combine the optimum focus of Phase Detection with high quality Live View images right from the main sensor. This is made possible by Sony Translucent Mirror Technology. You get accurate images and 100% framing on the LCD monitor or eye-level viewfinder.
  • ISO 12800 sensitivity
    Incredibly clear low-light pictures without sacrificing detail, made possible by the low-noise Exmor APS HD CMOS image sensor and refined BIONZ image processor.
  • Powerful creative control over movies
    While the camera offers fully automatic movie shooting1, you can also control aperture (A mode w/ MF only), white balance and select Creative Style. During a movie shot, you can change the metering mode and adjust exposure compensation.
  • Help Guide
    Provides ready reference to advanced camera functions, helping to develop your confidence and skills as a photographer.
  • Dynamic Range Optimizer (DRO)
    Improves results with backlit subjects and recovers details hidden in shadows. Settings include Auto, Level with a choice of five operating levels and Off.
  • SteadyShot INSIDE stabilization
    Image stabilization reduces blur by compensating for camera shake. Typical DSLR systems build image stabilization into selected lenses only. SteadyShot INSIDE image stabilization is built into the camera body itself. You'll reduce blur with every a-mount lens, including macro and wide-aperture standard zoom lenses.
  • Smile Shutter technology
    Captures a smile the moment it happens. Simply select the Smile Shutter mode and the camera takes the picture automatically. You can prioritize children or adults and adjust the smile sensitivity.
  • Six Creative Style settings
    Control how the camera processes your images with six finishing styles: Standard, Vivid, B&W, Sunset, Portrait and Landscape. You can even fine-tune contrast, saturation, and sharpness to your personal taste.
  • Anti-Dust Technology
    Anti-Dust Technology helps keep the CMOS sensor clean, resulting in consistently clear pictures. First a static-free coating on the sensor's low-pass filter helps repel dust. Then vibration automatically dislodges dust from the sensor.
  • Slot for two media types
    For cost-effective, convenient storage and sharing of your images, the camera accepts Memory Stick PRO Duo/Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo and SD/SDHC/SDXC media (Class 4 or higher recommended). (Memory card is required. All are sold separately.)
  • Remote capability
    Works with the RMT-DSLR1 Remote Commander wireless remote control, sold separately.
  • 10 frames per second continuous
    The translucent mirror makes it far easier to capture the decisive soccer kick or your baby at her absolute cutest. The Sony SLT-A55V camera shoots full, 16.2 MP resolution pictures at up to 10 fps while maintaining continuous auto focus and auto exposure.
  • APS-C size HD CMOS image sensor
    With 19.5 times the area of the typical camcorder image sensor7, APS-C makes the difference between amateur and professional-looking video, delivering an exceptional combination of high resolution, high sensitivity and gorgeous, blurred backgrounds.
  • Multi-frame NR
    Experience incredible low-light shooting without a flash. The camera captures six images in a fraction of a second. Combining the data from all six, it creates a single image with a reduction in noise equivalent to two additional steps of ISO sensitivity. Sensitivity selectable up to ISO 25600. (Recommended for still subjects.)
  • D Sweep Panorama Mode3
    Capture vast scenic vistas and 16:9 shots in spectacular 3D. As you sweep across the panorama, the camera records separate right-eye and left-eye images that make landscapes come alive on your 3D television3. Records both JPEG and MPO file formats.
  • Eye-level finder for HD Movie
    The eye-level finder is one of the reasons people love DSLRs. But that finder goes dark whenever you shoot HD Movies. Until now. The Sony SLT-A55V enables you to shoot movies with the added stability you get holding the camera up to your face and using the eye-level finder for framing a scene and focus.
  • 921K dot TruBlack LCD screen
    Sony's Xtra Fine LCD monitor has 921K dots for superb resolution. The TruBlack screen includes a special resin layer to suppress internal reflections, increasing contrast compared to conventional LCDs. Sunny Weather mode boosts visibility even further in bright sunlight.
  • Phase Detection Auto Focus
    While Contrast Detection AF often hunts for correct focus, Phase Detection AF knows exactly where correct focus is, and goes straight for it. The Sony SLT-A55V is the world's first consumer camera to provide Phase Detection AF when capturing HD movies as well as during still image capture, either using the viewfinder or Live View on the LCD.
  • Sweep Panorama Mode
    Capture expansive landscapes automatically. Press the shutter and sweep vertically or horizontally. The camera does the rest, continuously shooting images and stitching them together. Up to 23 MP image size.
  • Compact, lightweight deign
    Eliminating the moving mirror also reduces the camera's size and weight. It's not just remarkably advanced; it's notably small and light.
  • BIONZ image processor
    The brains of the camera is a refined version of Sony's BIONZ image processor. Its chroma noise reduction delivers high-resolution, low-noise photos even at ISO 12800 sensitivity. Also enables 10 fps continuous shooting at full resolution, Sweep Panorama mode and more.
  • RAW image capture
    Saves your pictures as compact JPEG files or ultra-high quality RAW files or both. RAW files save images prior to de-mosaicing, white balance, sharpness and color enhancement. This retains maximum latitude for enhancing the image on your PC.
  • Face Detection technology
    The camera can automatically detect up to eight individual faces and adjust focus, exposure, white balance and flash to help deliver crisp, properly lit images of family and friends. Can prioritize children or adults.
  • Eight Scene Selection Modes
    These help you get the shot by optimizing the camera for specific shooting situations. Select from Portrait, Sports Action, Macro, Landscape, Sunset, Night View, Night Portrait and Handheld Twilight Shot modes.
  • P/A/S/M exposure modes
    The camera offers a full range of controls from the beginner's AUTO+ mode to P/A/S/M: Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority and Manual. On-screen prompts help you refine your skills, build your confidence and exercise greater creative control.
  • Versatile on-screen displays
    Informative displays in the LCD monitor and electronic viewfinder include digital level gauge, graphic display of exposure settings.
  • Index and Slide Show Display
    Quickly review your photos using 6- or 12-frame index views, or as an automatic slide show with fade-in/fade-out effect.

 

DRIVE SYSTEM
Burst Buffer JPEG Standard (39 shots) JPEG Fine (35 shots) RAW (20 shots) RAW+JPEG (20 shots)
Continuous Shooting Speed Continuous (up to 6fps) Speed Priority (10fps)
Drive Mode Single-shot, Continuous shooting (Hi/Lo selectable), Self-timer (10/2 sec delay selectable), Remote commander (RMT-DSLR1 Sold Separately)
Flash Sync Speed 1/160 seconds
Self-timer 2-sec. or 10-sec. delay,
Shutter Speeds 1/4000 to 30 seconds, bulb
Shutter Type Electronically-controlled, vertical-traverse, focal-plane shutter
FOCUS CONTROL
Focus System TTL phase detection AF (CCD line sensors)
Focus Points 15 points (3 points cross type)
AF Modes Single-shot AF, Automatic AF, Continuous AF, Manual Focus
Focus Area Wide, Spot, Local (15 local areas selectable)
Focus Sensitivity -1 EV to +18 EV (at ISO100 equivalent)
Focus Features Predictive Focus Control, Focus Lock
AF Illuminator Built-in flash, Range: approx. 3' - 15' (1m-5m)
ADVANCED FEATURES
Advanced User Interface Easy-to-understand Graphic Display and on-screen Help Guide User-friendly function menu
Anti Motion Blur 6-image layering
Auto High Dynamic Range Yes, (Off/On, Auto Exposure Difference, Exposure difference Level (1-6 EV at 1.0 EV step)
Embedded GPS Yes
Sweep Panorama Yes (2D/3D)
Face Detection Off, Auto, Child Priority, Adult Priority (up to 8 faces detectable)
Smile Shutter technology Yes - Off, Slight, Normal, Big
Image Stabilization SteadyShot INSIDE in-body image stabilization
OPTICS/LENS
Lens Type Sony A-mount
Lens Mount Type DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6
Aperture F3.5 - F5.6
Aperture (Max.) F3.5 - F5.6
Aperture (Min.) F22 - F36
Focal Length (35mm equivalent) 27mm - 82.5mm
Filter Diameter 55mm
Lens Construction Plastic
Lens Groups-Elements 7 groups, 8 elements (2 aspheric surface)
Minimum Focus Distance 9.84" (0.25m)
Angle of View 76° - 29°
Aperture Blade : 7 blades (Circular aperture)
Aspheric Elements 2 (3 surface)
Dimensions (Max. Diameter x Length) 2-3/4 x 2-3/4" (69.5?69mm)
Distance Encoder Yes
Internal Motor Yes (SAM motor)
Lens Weight 7-4/8 oz (210g)
Maximum Magnification 0.34x (APS-C)
IMAGING SENSOR
Imaging Sensor Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor (23.5 X 15.6mm)
Processor BIONZ image processor
Anti-Dust Charge protection coating on Low-Pass Filter and Image Sensor-Shift mechanism
Pixel Gross Approx. 16.7 megapixels
Effective Picture Resolution Approx. 16.2 megapixels
Focal Length Conversion Factor 1.5x
Color Filter System RGB primary color filters
RECORDING
Media Type Memory Stick PRO Duo/Pro-HG Duo media; SD, SDHC and SDXC memory card
Color Space sRGB, AdobeRGB
Still Image Mode JPEG (Standard, Fine), RAW, RAW+JPEG
Still Image Size 16:9 L size: 4912 x 2760 (14M) M size: 3568 x 2000 (7.1M) S size: 2448 x 1376 (3.4M)
Still Image Size 3:2 L size: 4912 x 3264 (16M) M size: 3568 x 2368 (8.4M) S size: 2448 x 1624 (4M)
Panorama Still Image Size Horizontal Wide: 12,416 x 1,856 (23M) Horizontal Std.: 8,192 x 1,856 (15M) Vertical Wide: 2,160 x 5,536 (12M) Vertical Std.: 2,160 x 3,872 (8.4M) 3D Sweep Panorama: Horizontal Wide: 7152 X 1080 (7.7M) Horizontal Std.: 4912 X 1080 (5.3M) 16:9: 1920 X 1080 (2.1M)
Video Format AVCHD / MP4 (MPEG-4 AVC (H.264))
Video Mode AVCHD: 1920 x 1080/ 60i (59.94i Interlace recording, 29.97 progressive image sensor output) Approx. 17Mbps (Average bit-rate) MP4 HD: 1440 x 1080/ 30p (29.97 Progressive) Approx. 12Mbps (Average bit-rate) MP4 VGA: 640 x 480/ 30p (29.97 Progressive) Approx. 3Mbps (Average bit-rate)
Video Resolution 1920x1080/60i (59.94i, 29.97p sensor output)
Video Signal NTSC color, EIA standards
Audio Format Stereo Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC
Microphone/Speaker Built-in Stereo Microphone
WEIGHTS AND MEASUREMENTS
Dimensions (Approx.) Approx. 4-7/8 x 3-5/8 x 3-1/3" (124.4 x 92 x 84.7mm) (W/H/D) excl grip & lens mount
Weight (Approx.) Approx. 15.27 oz (433g) (excl battery, lens & media) Approx. 17.35 oz (492g) (w/battery & media)
VIEWFINDER
Type 0.46" Xtra Fine EVF (Electronic viewfinder) (1,440,000 pixels)
Diopter Adjustment -4.0?+4.0m-1
Field of View 100%
Magnification 1.10x (with 50mm lens at infinity, -1m-1 )
CAMERA
Lens Compatibility Sony A-mount lens
Lens Mount Sony A-mount
Camera Type Sony a A-mount interchangeable lens digital camera
FLASH
Flash Compensation +/-2EV in 0.3EV steps
Flash Coverage 18mm (focal-length printed on the lens body)
Recycling Time Approx. 4 sec.
Flash Bracketing 3 exposures in 0.3/0.7 EV steps
Flash Metering System ADI, Pre-flash TTL
Flash Modes : Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Hi-speed sync., Red-eye reduction (on/off selectable for Autoflash and fill-flash mode), Wireless
Flash Type Built-in, Pop-up Auto
Guide Number 10 (in meters at ISO100)
SOFTWARE
Supplied Software PMB (Picture Motion Browser) 5.3.01 Image Data Converter SR 3.2 Image Data Lightbox SR 2.2
Operating System Compatibility Windows XP SP3 (64-bit and Starter Editions are not supported,Windows Image Mastering API(IMAPI)Ver.2.0 or later is required to use the function for creating discs.) Windows Vista SP2 (Starter Edition is not supported) Windows 7; Mac OS X(v10.4-?10.6) (Image Data Converter & Image Data Lightbox only, PMB is not Mac compatible)
EXPOSURE SYSTEM
Metering Advanced 1200-zone evaluative metering
Metering Modes Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot
Metering Sensitivity -2EV to 17EV (at ISO 100 equivalent w/ f/1.4 lens)
Exposure Compensation +/-2EV (in .03EV steps)
Exposure Settings Auto (AUTO), Auto Advanced (AUTO+), Program Auto (P), Aperture priority (A), Shutter-speed priority (S), Manual (M), Sweep Panorama (2D/3D), Continuous Advance Priority AE
Scene Mode(s) Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports action, Sunset, Night portrait, Night View, Handheld Twilight
D-Range Optimizer : Yes: (Auto, Level 1-5, off
Auto Exposure Lock Yes (AE Lock button)
Color Temperature 2500 - 9900 k with 19-step Magenta / Green compensation
Creative Style Standard, Vivid, Portrait, Landscape, Sunset, B/W (Contrast, Saturation, Sharpness adjustable in +/-3 steps)
ISO Auto: 100 - 1600; Selectable: 100 - 12800; Multi Frame NR (up to ISO 25600)
Noise Reduction Long exp. NR: (On/Off, available of shutter speeds longer than 1 sec.) High ISO NR: (Auto/Weak) Multi Frame NR: (Auto/ISO100-25600)
White Balance Mode Auto,Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Setting the color temperature, Custom
POWER
Battery Type InfoLitium NP-FW50 (7.2V)
Number of Still Images Approx. 330 images with viewfinder, 380 images with LCD monitor (CIPA standard)
LCD DISPLAY
LCD Type 3" TFT Xtra Fine LCD w/TruBlack (921,600 pixels)2
Angle Adjustment 180 degrees from the camera back, leftward rotation in 270 degrees with LCD monitor facing forward
Brightness Control Auto/Manual (5 steps between -2 and +2)/Sunny Weather
Coverage 100%
Live View Continuous Live View (LCD/EVF Auto, selectable)
Real-time image adjustment display Reflects: exposure compensation, white balance, creative style
Histogram Yes (On/off)
Grid Display Yes (On/off)
Customization : Grid, Histogram display, Digital Level Gauge, Grid Line, Magnified display for playback
INTERFACE
Microphone Input Yes
Accessory Shoe Yes (Alpha)
BRAVIA Sync Yes, via HDMI with compatible BRAVIA HDTV
DVDirect Yes, via USB
HD Output HDMI (TypeC mini)
Memory Card Slot Dual memory card slot: - Memory Stick PRO Duo/Pro-HG Duo media - SD, SDHC and SDXC memory card
PhotoTV HD Yes, with BRAVIA Sync enabled HDTV and HDMI cable
USB Port(s) USB2.0 Hi-speed (mass-storage, PTP)
  • Shoulder Strap
  • CD-ROM
  • Battery Charger (BC-VW1)
  • Body Cap
  • Rechargable Battery (NP-FW50)
  • USB Cable

Customer Reviews

“Overall performance”

A review, by [email protected]

(Posted on 12/5/10)

Value
Quality
Price

Best camera I've seen on the market. A lot of "bang" for your buck! Video very sharp, as well as the still images. Can't wait to order the zoom.

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