New Alpha A500, A550 official news release

Features

A500

A550

Effective
Megapixels

Approx.
12.3

Approx.
14.2

Lens compatibility

Sony lens, Minolta and Konica Minolta AF lens

Sony lens, Minolta and Konica Minolta AF lens

Image
sensor

APS-C size (23.5×15.6mm) CMOS sensor “Exmor” with RGB primary =
color filters

APS-C size (23.4×15.6mm) CMOS sensor “Exmor” with RGB primary
color filters

Processor

BIONZ image processor

BIONZ image processor

Maximum
ISO Sensitivity

AUTO
(ISO 200-1600), 200 to 12800  selectable (in 1EV step, =
Recommended
Exposure Index)

AUTO
(ISO 200-1600), 200 to 12800  selectable (in 1EV step,
Recommended
Exposure Index)

Image Quality =
Modes

RAW,
RAW+JPEG, Fine, Standard

RAW,
RAW+JPEG, Fine, Standard

HDMI
connector and Bravia Sync

HDMI  mini
connector (Type C), BRAVIA Sync (Sync menu), PhotoTV HD

HDMI  mini
connector (Type C), BRAVIA Sync (Sync menu), PhotoTV HD

Image Size: 3:2
(pixels)

L size: 4272 x 2848 (12M), M size:  3104 x 2072(6.4M),
S size:  2128 x 1416 (3.0M)

L size: 4592 x 3056 (14M), M size:  3344 x 2224 (7.4M), `
S size:  2288 x 1520 (3.5M)

Viewfinder Type

Fixed eye-level, penta-mirror

Fixed eye-level, penta-mirror

LCD

3.0-inch type TFT Clear Photo LCD Plus (230,400 dots)

3.0-inch type TFT Xtra Fine LCD (921,600 dots)

Quick AF Live View

YES

YES

Manual Focus Check
Live View

YES

YES

SteadyShot INSIDE

YES

YES

Anti-dust System

Coating on low pass
filter, plus image-sensor shift

Coating on low pass
filter, plus image-sensor shift

Focus Modes

AF/MF selectable.

AF modes: Single-shot
AF, Automatic AF, Continuous AF

AF/MF selectable.

AF modes: Single-shot AF,
Automatic AF, Continuous AF

Autofocus

TTL phase
detection
system; CCD line sensors

TTL phase
detection
system; CCD line sensors

Focus Points

9

9

Exposure
Modes

Programmed AE (AUTO, AUTO – Flash Off, P), Aperture priority,
Shutter priority, Manual, Scene selection

Programmed AE (AUTO, AUTO – Flash Off, P), Aperture priority,
Shutter priority, Manual, Scene selection

Exposure Metering
Modes

Multi-segment,
Centre-weighted, Spot

Multi-segment,
Centre-weighted, Spot

Exposure Metering
Sensor

40-segment
honeycomb-pattern SPC

40-segment
honeycomb-pattern SPC

Scene
Selection

Portrait,
Landscape,
Macro, Sports, Sunset, Night portrait

Portrait,
Landscape, Macro,
Sports, Sunset, Night portrait

Creative Style
Settings

6

6

Shutter Speed

1/4000-30sec

1/4000-30sec

Exposure
Bracketing

3 continuous exposures,
in 0.3 or 0.7 EV steps

3 continuous exposures,
in 0.3 or 0.7 EV steps

White Balance
Settings

Auto / 6 presets / Colour
Temperature/Colour Filter /  Custom WB

Auto / 6 presets / Colour
Temperature/Colour Filter /  Custom WB

Continuous
Advance
Shooting

Up to 5 fps with optical
viewfinder, 4
fps with live view

Up to 5 fps with optical
viewfinder, 4 fps with live view and 7 fps in speed priority mode.

Approx. no. of shots
*

Approx. 1000 shots (with
viewfinder)

Approx. 950 shots (with
viewfinder)

Built-in =
Flash

Auto pop-up – GN 12 at ISO 100 conversion
up to 18mm

Auto pop-up – GN 12 at ISO 100 conversion
up to 18mm

Flash Modes

Flash-off,  Auto, Fill-flash,
Slow sync, Rear Sync., Wireless*, Hi-speed sync.*,

*With external flash HVL-F58AM,
HVL-F56AM, HVL-F42AM, HVL-F36AM

Flash-off,  Auto, Fill-flash,
Slow sync, Rear Sync., Wireless*, Hi-speed sync.*,

*With external flash HVL-F58AM,
HVL-F56AM, HVL-F42AM, HVL-F36AM

Media

Memory Stick PRO Duo, Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo
SD memory card, SDHC memorycard

Memory Stick PRO Duo, Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo,
SD memory card, SDHC memory card

Dimensions =
(W x H
x D)

Approx. 137 x 104 x 84mm (5-1/2 x 4 1/8 x
3 3/8 in.) (W/H/D, excluding protrusions)

Approx. 137 x 104 x 84mm (5-1/2 x 4 1/8 x
3 3/8 in.) (W/H/D, excluding protrusions)

Weight

Approx. 597g

Approx. 599g