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Sony Alpha A500
For a higher level of performance, step up to the Sony a500 DSLR camera. Enjoy the freedom of Quick Auto Focus and Manual Focus Check Live View on the tiltable 3.0" LCD.

$649.00 - $699.99 at 4 Store(s)
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Expert's Review User Reviews Specifications
Features
12.3 megapixelsThis camera's 12.3 megapixel resolution makes for incredible detail and gorgeous enlargements. The all-new Sony® Exmor™ CMOS image sensor ensures state-of-the-art response.

Superb in low lightAn all-new Sony's Exmor™ CMOS image sensor employs new low-noise processing, for uncommonly clear pictures. The BIONZ™ image processor with chroma noise reduction helps achieve low noise all the way up to ISO 12800, without sacrificing resolution.

More responsive Live ViewAll DSLR Live View systems enable you to compose shots in the LCD monitor, just as you would with a point-and-shoot camera.

Quick Auto Focus Live Viewthe DSLR-A500 is just as responsive in Quick Auto Focus Live View mode as in optical viewfinder mode. That's because, unlike the others, the a500 uses the same "phase detection" auto focus for Live View as for the optical viewfinder.

Manual Focus Check Live ViewFor critical focus in macro and tripod shooting, the a500 also offers Manual Focus Check Live View. Temporary 7x and 14x zoom views enable you to focus on extremely fine detail while the 1x view shows 100% framing in the LCD.

Face Detection technologyThe a500 enhances Quick AF Live View shooting with Face Detection technology, which helps you get the best shot by recognizing faces and applying the proper focus, exposure and white balance. World's first Face Detection system to work with fast, high-precision "phase detection" Auto Focus.

Tiltable 3.0" LCDThe LCD tilts up or down 90 degrees to capture a child's first steps or shoot over a crowd. The 3.0"LCD features 230,000 pixels and Sony's Clear Photo LCD™ display technology.

Smile Shutter™ technologyAnother Quick AF Live View enhancement, Smile Shutter™ technology automatically takes the shot when your subject smiles.

Dynamic Range OptimizerDynamic Range Optimizer improves results with backlit subjects and recovers details hidden in shadows. Normal DRO improves detail using standard gamma curves for fast shot-to-shot response time, while Advanced DRO adjusts dynamic range area-by-area for greater accuracy.

BIONZ™ image processorA newest version of Sony's BIONZ image processor uses chroma noise reduction to deliver high-resolution, low-noise photos even at ISO 12800 sensitivity. This powerful Sony Large Scale Integrated circuit (LSI) also delivers fast processing for quick response on data-intensive 12.3 megapixel images.

Eye-Start AutofocusFor maximum speed, Eye-Start Autofocus begins focusing as soon as you raise the camera to your eye. So the camera is ready to catch the perfect moment.

Dual Media SlotsFor cost-effective, convenient storage and sharing of your images, the a500 accepts Memory Stick PRO Duo™/Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo™ and SD/SDHC media (sold separately).

Index and Slide Show DisplayQuickly review your photos using 4- or 9-frame index views, or as an automatic slide show with fade-in/fade-out effect.

General Specifications
Camera TypeSony a Digital SLR camera with built-in flash and inter-changeable lenses

Color Filter System RGB primary color filters

Effective Picture ResolutionApprox. 12.3 megapixels

Imaging Sensor APS-C size Exmor™ CMOS sensor (23.5 X 15.6mm)

Lens Mount TypeSony a lens, Minolta and Konica Minolta AF lens

Pixel Gross Approx. 12.9 megapixels

Recording Media Type Memory Stick PRO Duo™ media, SD and SDHC memory card

Recording Mode RAW, RAW+JPEG, JPEG Fine, JPEG Standard

Flash
Flash Compensation ±2EV (in 1/3 EV-stop increments)

Flash Coverage 18mm in focal-length of lens attached

Flash Metering System ADI flash (automatic change for Pre-flash TTL)

Guide Number 12 (in meters at ISO100)

ModesAuto, Fill-flash, Slow sync, Rear sync, Wireless

Recycling Time Approx. 4 sec

TypeAuto Pop-up

Convenience Features
Anti-dust function Charge protection coating on low pass filter and image-sensor shift mechanism

BRAVIA® SyncYes, via HDMI with compatible BRAVIA HDTV

Creative Style Standard, Vivid, Portrait, Landscape, Sunset, B/W Setting Adj. for; Contrast, Saturation, Sharpness

Dynamic Range OptimizerDRO; off, Auto/Level (Lv1-5) Auto HDR; off, Auto Exp. (Up to 3EV between 1.0-3.0EV in 0.5EV steps)

Live View Quick Auto Focus Live View Manual Focus Check Live View

User Interface Easy-to-understand Graphic Display and on-screen Help Guide User-friendly function menu

View Finder
Diopter Adjustment-2.5 - +1.0m-1

Eye relief Approx. 19 mm from the eyepiece, Approx. 15 mm from the eyepiece frame at -1 diopter

Field of View 95%

Focusing Screen Spherical Acute Matte Screen

Magnification0.80x (with 50mm lens at infinity)

TypeFixed eye-level, penta-Dach-mirror

Display
Angle Adjustment Yes(upward by up to 90 degrees, downward by up to 90 degrees)

Brightness Control Auto Brightness Control (Auto setting in 2 steps, manual setting in 5 steps)

Coverage100% (Playback), 90% (Live View)

Type3” TFT Clear Photo Plus™ LCD4 (230,400 pixels)

Power
Battery Type NP-FM500H

Number of Shots Approx. 1000 images with viewfinder, approx. 520 images in live view mode (CIPA standard)

Software
Operating System CompatibilityMicrosoft Windows 2000 Professional Windows XP*SP2 Windows Vista Mac OS X(v10.1.3) or later

Supplied Software PMB (Picture Motion Browser) 4.3.01 Image Data Converter SR 3.1 Image Data Lightbox SR

Inputs & Outputs
HD Output HDMI

Memory Card Slot Dual memory card slot: Memory Stick PRO Duo™ media SD and SDHC memory card

Tripod Mount Yes, 1/4"-20

USB Port(s)USB2.0 Hi-speed (mass-storage, PTP)

Control
AF modes Single-shot AF, Automatic AF, Continuous AF, (AF/MF selectable)

Drive Mode Single-shot, Continuous, Self-timer, Bracketong; Cont./ WB, Remote Commander

Exposure Compensation ±2EV (in 1/3 EV steps)

Exposure settings Auto, Auto Flash Off, Program Auto (P), Aperture priority (A), Shutter priority (S), Manual (M)

Focus Area Wide (Up to 9 active focus points), Spot, Local (9 local areas selectable)

Focus Features Manual Focus Check Live View Predictive control, Focus lock, Eye-start AF, AF illuminator

Focus Points9 points

Focus Sensitivity EV0 - 18 (ISO100)

Focus System TTL phase detection system

MeteringTTL metering w/ 40-segment honeycomb-pattern SPC

Where To Buy ?
$649.00
$649.00
$699.00
$699.99

Ratings by Store(s)
Amazon.com 5.0
1 User Review(s)
 
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