Both reviews praised image detail, comfortable handling and long battery life, while finding the fixed screen and limited live view restrictive. PhotographyBlog considered the feature mix uninspiring and preferred neighbouring Alpha models. Amateur Photographer found it a worthwhile affordable upgrade despite awkward controls and weaker low-light autofocus; its conservative high-ISO assessment differed from PhotographyBlog's enthusiasm through ISO 3200.
Approximately 14.6 million total pixels; RGB primary-colour filter; anti-static coating and sensor-shift dust reduction
Image formats
JPEG, RAW and RAW+JPEG; Sony ARW 2.1; sRGB and Adobe RGB
Image processor
BIONZ
Lens and shooting
Lens mount
Sony A-mount
Stabilisation
Sensor shift
Maximum continuous burst
7 fps
Autofocus
TTL phase detection with nine points and central cross sensor; EV 0–18 at ISO 100; single, automatic, continuous AF and manual focus; built-in flash AF illumination
Shutter
Electronically controlled focal-plane shutter; 30 seconds to 1/4000 second and Bulb; flash sync 1/160 second
Burst detail
Maximum approximately 7 fps in Speed Priority with focus and exposure fixed at the first frame; ordinary continuous shooting approximately 5 fps. Sony specifies up to 32 Fine JPEG, 14 RAW or seven RAW+JPEG frames, depending on card and conditions
Stabilisation detail
SteadyShot INSIDE sensor shift; current Sony specifications claim approximately 2.5–4 shutter-speed steps, depending on lens and conditions; DPReview's separate launch specification table gives 2.5–3.5 steps
Flash
Pop-up flash, guide number 12 m at ISO 100; ADI and pre-flash TTL; Sony Alpha accessory shoe
Exposure controls
P/A/S/M and scene modes; 40-segment honeycomb SPC metering; ±2 EV in 0.3 EV steps; DRO and two-exposure Auto HDR, with exposure difference selectable up to 3 EV in 0.5 EV steps
Screen and viewfinder
Viewfinder
Optical
Screen size
2.7″
Screen dots
230,400
Tilting screen
No
Display detail
Fixed Clear Photo LCD; dots count colour subpixels. Main-sensor Manual Focus Check Live View offers 7×/14× enlargement; no separate-sensor Quick AF Live View
Viewfinder detail
Pentamirror optical viewfinder, approximately 95% coverage and 0.83× magnification with a 50 mm lens at infinity
Connections and design
Battery life (maker's claim)
1050 photographs
Body weight
520 g
Release detail
Sony's original press release, reproduced in full by DPReview, specifies availability from the beginning of February 2010; month precision retained
Recording media
Separate Memory Stick PRO Duo/PRO-HG Duo and SD/SDHC card slots
Ports
USB 2.0 Hi-Speed, mini HDMI Type C and remote-release terminal
Battery life detail
NP-FM500H; approximately 1,050 photographs using optical viewfinder under maker CIPA conditions
Dimensions
Approximately 137 × 104 × 81 mm (width × height × depth, excluding protrusions)
Weight detail
Approximately 520 g without battery, memory card or accessories (Sony Asia specifications)
Video
Video detail
No movie recording (PhotographyBlog); HDMI is for still-image playback
Pros and cons
Pros
+RAW recording and sensor-shift stabilisation
+Up to 7 fps full-resolution shooting with locked focus and exposure
