Todd MacMillan
Administrator

The Sony DSLR-A500 Digital SLR is a camera with 12.3 MP for images with great detail. The APS-C sensor yields high-sensitivity and depth-of-field control. The Sony Exmor CMOS image sensor combined with the BIONZ processor enables a high ISO of 12,800 that yields low-light pictures with lower noise and reduced loss of picture detail.

The DSLR-A500 has a number of built-in features to guarantee sharp and perfectly exposed images. Smile Shutter technology enables the camera to automatically take a shot when in Live View mode, and a Face Detection system recognizes and adjusts the camera for faces in a given scene. The camera boasts 6 creative style settings and 6 scene modes which adjust the camera for optimized exposures.

It can save images as RAW or JPEG formats (separately or in tandem), and with dual media slots files can be stored on Memory Stick PRO Duo/Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo and SD/SDHC media cards (all sold separately).



The 3.0" Extra Fine LCD display tilts up or down 90° to frame high- and low-angle shots. Eye-Start Autofocus begins focusing as soon as the camera is raised to the eye, and the 9-Point AF Sensor with Center Cross enables accurate focusing.

• 12.3 MP Resolution
This camera's 12.3 MP resolution makes for incredible detail and gorgeous enlargements. The Sony Exmor CMOS image sensor ensures state-of-the-art response. The large APS-C format means high sensitivity and powerful depth-of-focus control.

• Superb In Low Light
Sony's Exmor CMOS image sensor employs low-noise processing for clear pictures. The BIONZ image processor achieves low noise all the way up to ISO 12,800 without sacrificing resolution.

• More Responsive Live View
Sony's Quick Auto Focus Live View enables users to compose shots in the LCD monitor and aids in quick focusing.

• Quick Auto Focus Live View
The DSLR-A500 uses the same "phase detection" auto focus for Live View as for the optical viewfinder.

• Manual Focus Check Live View
For critical focus in macro and tripod shooting, the DSLR-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 Technology
The DSLR-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.

• Smile Shutter Technology
A Quick AF Live View enhancement, Smile Shutter enables the camera to automatically take the shot when your subject smiles. It works with Quick Auto Focus Live View to capture spontaneous moments.

• Tiltable 3.0" LCD
The 3.0" LCD features 230,000 pixels and Sony's Clear Photo LCD display technology. It helps to frame high- and low-angle shots and the LCD tilts up or down 90 degrees. 1
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Please Note:

Viewable area measured diagonally

• Up To 5 FPS of Continuous Shooting
The camera will shoot up to 5 frames per second (with optical viewfinder) and at up to 4 frames per second with Quick Auto Focus Live View.

• Auto HDR Built Into Camera
High Dynamic Range (HDR) photography captures more scene contrast by combining two exposures into one shot. The DSLR-A500 has Auto HDR built in to handle severe backlighting and other high-contrast scenes. 2
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Please Note:

Recommended for still subjects

• Dynamic Range Optimizer
Dynamic 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.

• SteadyShot INSIDE Stabilization
Image stabilization helps you take blur-free shots by compensating for camera shake. SteadyShot INSIDE image stabilization is built into the camera body itself.

• Smart Teleconverter 2x Digital Zoom
In Quick Auto Focus Live View mode you can extend the optical zoom of your lens with digital zoom. One touch zooms in at 1.4x while a second touch advances to 2x zoom. The system reproduces pixels on a 1:1 basis so there's no degradation of picture quality.

• Powerful Supplied Software
The DSLR-A500 is equipped with comprehensive computer software which includes Image Data Converter SR, Image Data Lightbox SR, and Picture Motion Browser (PMB). 3
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Please Note:

Compatible computer required, not included

• BIONZ Image Processor
Sony's BIONZ image processor uses chroma noise reduction to deliver high-resolution and low-noise photos at up to ISO 12800 sensitivity. Large Scale Integrated (LSI) circuitry also delivers fast processing for quick response on data-intensive images.

• Help Guide and Graphic Display
An informative on-screen Help Guide and Graphic Display provide ready reference to advanced camera functions. The Help Guide explains the camera's modes and settings while the Graphic Display clarifies the relationship between aperture and shutter speed, as well as the effect each has on photographic results.

• HDMI Output for HD viewing
Connect your camera to a compatible HDTV and play back images in high definition. The DSLR-A500 includes an HDMI output. The BRAVIA Sync system works with compatible Sony BRAVIA HDTVs to let you control camera playback using the television's remote. 4
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Please Note:

HDMI cable required, sold separately

• Eye-Start Autofocus
For maximum speed, Eye-Start Autofocus begins focusing as soon as the camera is raised to your eye.

• 9-Point AF Sensor
To get the best shot under a wide range of situations, the DSLR-A500 uses a 9-Point AF Sensor with Center Cross. In addition, predictive focus control automatically calculates the position of fast-moving subjects.

• 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 flash also triggers a wireless accessory flash (sold separately). An integrated hot shoe enables the expansion of lighting options with a range of accessory flashes (sold separately).

• Anti-Dust Technology
Anti-Dust Technology helps keep the CMOS imager clean, resulting in consistently better pictures. First a static-free coating on the CMOS filter helps repel dust. Then vibration automatically dislodges dust from the CMOS each time the camera is shut off.

• Up To 1000 Shots of Battery Life
Take up to 1000 shots on a single charge(optical viewfinder mode)when fully charged and take up to 520 shots (Live View mode) with Sony Stamina battery power. Sony's InfoLITHIUM battery system enables you to see the percent of power remaining, so you can keep shooting in confidence. 5
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Please Note:

Actual results may vary based on product settings, usage patterns and environmental conditions.

• PhotoTV HD Compatibility
PhotoTV HD compatibility enables you to automatically create high-resolution thumbnails optimized for viewing on a compatible Sony® BRAVIA® HDTV. 6
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Please Note:

Works with other BRAVIA Sync or Theatre Sync labeled HDTVs when connected via HDMI interface

• Six Scene Selection Modes
To help you get the shot, Scene Selection Modes optimize the camera settings for common shooting situations. Just turn the Mode Dial to select from Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports, Sunset, and Night View modes.

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

• Dual Media Slots
Memory Stick PRO-HG and SD/SDHC media (sold separately).

• Warranty
Limited Warranty Term: 1-Year Parts & Labor.



Camera Type
Sony Alpha Digital SLR camera with built-in flash and inter-changeable lenses

Imaging

Resolution
12.3MP

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

Processor
BIONZ image processor

Bit Depth
Not Specified by Manufacturer

File Formats
RAW
RAW+JPEG
JPEG Fine
JPEG Standard

File Size
Still Actual 16:9 :
L (10M): 4272 X 2400
M (5.4M): 3104 X 1744
S (2.5M): 2128 X 1192
Still Actual 3:2 :
L (12M): 4272 X 2848
M (6.4M): 3104 X 2072
S (3.0M): 2128 X 1416

Color Filter
RGB primary color filters

Image Stabilization
SteadyShot INSIDE stabilization

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

Focus Type
TTL phase detection system

Number of Focusing Points
9 points

ISO
Auto, 200 to 12800

Focusing Sensitivity Range
EV0 - 18 (ISO100)

Focusing Modes
Manual Focus, Check Live View, Predictive Control, Focus Lock, Eye-Start AF, AF Illuminator

Modes
AF modes : Single-Shot AF, Automatic AF, Continuous AF, (AF/MF selectable)
Drive Mode : Single-Shot, Continuous, Speed Priority, Self-Timer, Bracketing; Cont./ WB, Remote Commander

Tripod Mount
Yes, 1/4"-20

Conveniences
Anti-dust function : Charge protection coating on low pass filter and image-sensor shift mechanism
BRAVIA Sync: Via HDMI with compatible BRAVIA HDTV
Creative Style: Standard, Vivid, Portrait, Landscape, Sunset, B/W Setting Adjustment for: Contrast, Saturation, Sharpness
Dynamic Range Optimizer: DRO; off, Auto/Level (Lv1-5) Auto HDR, Off, Auto Exposure (up to 3EV between 1.0-3.0EV in 0.5EV steps)
Live View : Quick Auto Focus, Live View Manual, Focus Check Live View
Scene Mode(s): Flash Off, Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports Action, Sunset, Night portrait
User Interface: Easy-to-understand Graphic Display and on-screen Help Guide, user-friendly function menu

Optics

Lens
N/A

Filter Size
55mm

Zoom
18-55mm

Minimum Focus Distance
N/A

Groups/Elements
N/A

Length
N/A

Diameter
N/A

Lens Mount
Sony Alpha lens, Minolta and Konica Minolta AF lens

Weight
N/A

Shooting Controls

Shutter Speeds
Auto, Program Auto (P), Aperture Priority (A), Shutter Priority (S), Manual (M)

Metering
TTL metering w/ 40-segment honeycomb-pattern SPC

Exposure Modes
Flash Off, Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports Action, Sunset, Night Portrait

Scene Modes
Flash Off, Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports Action, Sunset, Night Portrait

White Balance
Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Color Temperature, Color Filter, Custom

Mirror Lock-Up
No

Burst Capability
Up to 7 fps

Self Timer
Not Specified by Manufacturer

Remote Control
No

Flash

Effective Flash Range
18mm in focal-length of lens attached

External Flash Connection
Optional:
HVL-F58AM External Flash
HVL-F42AM External Flash
HVL-F20AM External Flash

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

Max Sync Speed
Not Specified by Manufacturer

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

Guide Number
12 (in meters at ISO100)

Recycling Time
Approx. 4 sec

Built-in Memory
No

Memory Card Type
Memory Stick PRO Duo media
SD and SDHC memory card

Viewfinder Type
Fixed eye-level, penta-Dach-mirror

Viewfinder Display
Spherical Acute Matte Screen

Viewfinder Coverage
Field of View : 95%

Viewfinder Magnification
0.80x (with 50mm lens at infinity)

Viewfinder Info
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

Display
3" TFT Clear Photo Plus(TM) LCD (230,400 pixels) 1
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Please Note:

Viewable area measured diagonally

Display Area
Coverage : 100% (Playback), 90% (Live View)

LCD Information
Angle Adjustment : Yes (upward by up to 90°, downward by up to 90°)
Brightness Control : Auto Brightness Control (Auto setting in 2 steps
Manual setting in 5 steps)

OS Compatibility
Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional Windows XP SP2
Windows Vista
Mac OS X (v10.1.3) or later

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

Ports
USB2.0 Hi-Speed (mass-storage, PTP)

Operating/Storage Temperature
Operating Temperature : 32 - 104° F (0 - 40 ° C)

Battery Type
Battery Type : NP-FM500H InfoLITHIUM Rechargeable
Approx. 1000 images with viewfinder, 520 images in live view mode

Base Dimensions (WxHxD)
5.39 x 4.09 x 3.31" (137 X 104 X 84mm) (excluding protrusions)

Weight
Approx. 20.42 oz (597g) (without battery, memory card, accessories )