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Sony Alpha SLT-A55 vs Sony Alpha SLT-A65

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

SonyAlpha SLT-A55SonyAlpha SLT-A65
Overview
ReleasedSeptember 2010September 2011
Image and sensor
Camera typeTranslucent mirrorTranslucent mirror
Sensor formatAPS-CAPS-C
Sensor typeExmor APS HD CMOSExmor APS HD CMOS
Sensor dimensions23.5 × 15.6 mm23.5 × 15.6 mm
Effective resolution16.2 MP24.3 MP
Largest image4912 × 32646000 × 4000
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range100–12800100–16000
Sensor detail16.7 million total photosites; fixed translucent mirror feeds a dedicated phase-detection AF sensor while the main sensor supplies live view24.7 million total photosites; fixed translucent mirror feeds a dedicated phase-detection AF sensor while the main sensor supplies live view
Image formatsJPEG, RAW (Sony ARW 2.2) and RAW+JPEG; 3:2 or 16:9 stills; Sweep Panorama and 3D MPO panorama recordingJPEG, RAW (Sony ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG and 3D MPO panoramas; 3:2 or 16:9 stills
ISO detailAuto ISO 100–1600; multi-frame noise reduction extends sensitivity to ISO 25600; movie Auto ISO 100–3200Auto ISO 100–1600; multi-frame noise reduction ISO 100–25600
Image processorBIONZBIONZ
Lens and shooting
Lens mountSony A-mountSony A-mount
StabilisationSensor shiftSensor shift
Maximum continuous burst10 fps10 fps
Lens detailCompatible Sony, Minolta and Konica Minolta A-mount AF lenses; kit lenses are separate from body specificationsCompatible Sony, Minolta and Konica Minolta A-mount AF lenses; kit lenses are separate from body specifications
Autofocus15-point phase-detection AF with three cross sensors; EV −1–18 at ISO 100; single-shot, automatic and continuous AF, manual focus and Eye-Start AF15-point phase-detection AF with three cross sensors; EV −1–18 at ISO 100 with an F2.8 lens; AF-S, AF-A, AF-C and manual focus; zone and local selection, tracking AF and Eye-Start
Shutter1/4000–30 seconds and Bulb; flash sync 1/160 second1/4000–30 seconds and Bulb; flash sync 1/160 second
Burst detailUp to 10 fps in Continuous Advance Priority AE with AF-C focus and exposure adjustment according to the maker manual; AF-S fixes focus to the first frame. Ordinary continuous drive reaches 6 fps; its maker buffer figures are 35 Fine JPEG, 39 Standard JPEG, 20 RAW or 20 RAW+JPEG frames. PhotographyBlog’s exposure-lock description conflicts with the manual; PhotoReview tested a late pre-production unit.Up to 10 fps at full resolution in Continuous Advance Priority AE with continuous phase-detection AF; ordinary drive 8 fps Hi or 3 fps Lo. Maker buffer claim at 10 fps: 17 Fine JPEG, 18 Standard JPEG, 13 RAW or 11 RAW+JPEG frames. Continuous drive buffer: 18 Fine/Standard JPEG, 13 RAW or 11 RAW+JPEG frames.
Stabilisation detailSteadyShot INSIDE sensor-shift system; maker claim approximately 2.5–4 stops depending on lens and conditionsSteadyShot INSIDE sensor shift for stills, maker claim approximately 2.5–4.5 stops; electronic stabilisation for movies
FlashAutomatic pop-up flash, guide number 10 in metres at ISO 100; ADI and pre-flash TTL control; compatible external flash required for wireless flash and high-speed syncAutomatic pop-up flash, guide number 10 in metres at ISO 100; ADI and pre-flash TTL control; compatible external flash required for wireless flash and high-speed sync
Exposure controlsPASM, Auto, Auto+, scene, panorama and Continuous Advance Priority AE modes; 1200-zone main-sensor metering; ±2 EV compensation in 1/3 steps; D-Range Optimizer and three-frame Auto HDRPASM, Auto, Auto+, scene and panorama modes; 1200-zone metering; ±3 EV compensation in 1/3 steps; three-frame Auto HDR, D-Range Optimizer and Picture Effects
Video
Highest video resolution1920 × 1080 at 29.97 fps1920 × 1080 at 60 fps
Video detailJapan/NTSC specification is 1920 × 1080 AVCHD at 59.94 interlaced fields/s from 29.97 sensor frames/s, approximately 17 Mbps; PAL bodies use 50i from 25 frames/s. MP4 supports 1440 × 1080 and VGA. At 20°C Sony claims approximately nine minutes of continuous recording with SteadyShot enabled or 29 minutes disabled; higher temperatures shorten this further.Japan/NTSC model: 1920 × 1080 AVCHD 2.0 at 60p/28 Mbps, 60i/24 or 17 Mbps, and 24p/24 or 17 Mbps; PAL models use 50p, 50i and 25p. MP4 supports 1440 × 1080 or VGA. P/A/S/M movie exposure modes require manual focus; continuous phase-detection AF is available with automatic movie exposure.
AudioBuilt-in stereo microphone, mono playback speaker and external microphone inputBuilt-in stereo microphone with wind-noise reduction, external stereo microphone input and mono playback speaker
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderElectronicElectronic
Screen size3″3″
Screen dots921,600921,600
Touchscreen–No
Tilting screenYesYes
Display detailXtra Fine TruBlack LCD; 180° tilt and 270° rotation on a bottom hinge; dots count colour subpixelsXtra Fine LCD with 180° tilt and 270° rotation on a bottom hinge; focus peaking and magnification; dots count colour subpixels
Viewfinder detailElectronic finder with approximately 100% coverage, 1.10× magnification with a 50 mm lens, and 1,152,000 effective equivalent dots out of 1,440,000 total; electronic level and grid display0.5-type XGA OLED Tru-Finder with 2,359,296 dots, 100% coverage and approximately 1.09× magnification with a 50 mm lens; focus magnification and electronic level
Connections and design
Battery life (maker's claim)330 photographs510 photographs
Body weight441 g543 g
Release detailSony Japan specifies 10 September 2010 for SLT-A55V; the US announcement specifies October 2010. September is the earliest maker-stated retail month found.Sony China announced staggered availability from mid-September 2011; UK announcement specifies October 2011, while Sony Japan’s revised release gives 27 January 2012. September is the earliest maker-stated retail precision read.
Recording mediaSingle slot accepting SD, SDHC, SDXC, Memory Stick PRO Duo and PRO-HG DuoSingle slot accepting SD, SDHC, SDXC, Memory Stick PRO Duo and PRO-HG Duo
PortsUSB 2.0 Hi-Speed, mini HDMI Type C, external microphone input and wired remote terminal; optional infrared remote and AC adaptorUSB 2.0 Hi-Speed, mini HDMI Type C, 3.5 mm stereo microphone input, wired remote and DC input; optional infrared remote; Auto-lock accessory shoe
Wireless connectionsSLT-A55V includes GPS geotagging; SLT-A55 sold in some markets omits GPS. The Japanese specification and photo represent SLT-A55V.GPS geotagging is built into the SLT-A65V regional model represented by the Japanese specification and photograph.
Battery life detailNP-FW50; CIPA maker claim approximately 330 photographs using the viewfinder or 380 using the LCDNP-FM500H; CIPA maker claim approximately 510 photographs using the viewfinder or 560 using the LCD
ChargingSupplied BC-VW1 external battery chargerSupplied BC-VM10A external charger
DimensionsApproximately 124.4 × 92 × 84.7 mm (width × height × depth)Approximately 132.1 × 97.5 × 80.7 mm (width × height × depth), excluding protrusions
Weight detailApproximately 441 g body only; 500 g including battery and Memory Stick PRO DuoApproximately 543 g body only; 622 g including battery and Memory Stick PRO Duo
Materials–Polycarbonate outer body (PhotographyBlog and PhotoReview)
ColoursBlackBlack
In the boxNP-FW50 battery, BC-VW1 charger, USB cable, shoulder strap, caps and software CD; kit lenses depend on configurationNP-FM500H battery, BC-VM10A charger, shoulder strap, eyepiece cup, USB cable and software CD; lenses depend on kit

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