Sony Alpha SLT-A99 vs Sony Alpha SLT-A55

      Sony Alpha SLT-A99

      Sony Alpha SLT-A55
      75
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      69
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      Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Sony Alpha SLT-A99 and the Sony Alpha SLT-A55, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

      Sony Alpha SLT-A99 was introduced in December 2012 and Sony Alpha SLT-A55 was introduced in August 2010. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Sony Alpha SLT-A99 Highlights

      • 24.3 MP Full Frame CMOS Sensor
      • 100 - 25,600 Native ISO
      • 19 Focus Points (19 Cross-type)
      • Image Stabilization
      • 3.0" 1,229k dot Fully Articulated Screen
      • 2,359k dot Electronic Viewfinder
      • 6.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
      • 30 min Video Recording Limit
      • Built-in GPS
      • Wheather Sealed Body

      Sony Alpha SLT-A55 Highlights

      • 16.2 MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
      • 100 - 12,800 Native ISO
      • 15 Focus Points (15 Cross-type)
      • Image Stabilization
      • 3.0" 921k dot Fully Articulated Screen
      • 1,150k dot Electronic Viewfinder
      • 10.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
      • 30 min Video Recording Limit
      • Built-in Flash
      • Built-in GPS
      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Sony Alpha SLT-A99
      4. Advantage of Sony Alpha SLT-A55
      5. Common Strengths and Weaknesses
      6. Screen and Viewfinder
      7. Sensor
      8. Photography Features
      9. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
      10. Other Features
      11. Physical Parameters
      12. For Different Types of Photography
      13. Evaluations
      14. Specifications  

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Sony Alpha SLT-A99 and Sony Alpha SLT-A55.

      PROS

      Sony Alpha SLT-A99

      Sony Alpha SLT-A55

      •   Video Capture
      •   Large Sensor
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   High DxO Overall Score - 89
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      •   Video Capture
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Built-in GPS
      •   Light - 500 g (1.10 lb / 17.64 oz)
      •   Orientation Sensor

      CONS

      Sony Alpha SLT-A99

      Sony Alpha SLT-A55

      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   Short Battery Life - 500 shots
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   3 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Low Resolution Viewfinder - 1,150k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 380 shots


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Sony Alpha SLT-A99

      Sony Alpha SLT-A55

      •   Price
      •   Sensor Resolution - 24.3 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   25,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   19 Focus Points
      •   11 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,229k dot
      •   Viewfinder Resolution - 2,359k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 6.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
      •   Weight - 812 g (1.79 lb / 28.64 oz)
      •   Sensor Resolution - 16.2 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   15 Focus Points
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 10.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
      •   DxO Overall Score - 73

      Advantage of Sony Alpha SLT-A99

      Sony SLT-A99
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Sony Alpha SLT-A99 over Sony Alpha SLT-A55.

      Sony Alpha SLT-A99 vs Sony Alpha SLT-A55
      Larger Sensor Full Frame vs APS-C
      Higher Sensor Resolution 24.3 Megapixel vs 16.2 Megapixel
      Higher Native ISO 25,600 vs 12,800
      Max Image Resolution 6000 x 4000 vs 4912 x 3264
      More Focus Points 19 vs 15
      More Cross-type Focus Points 11 vs 3
      Center Autofocus vs
      Tracking Autofocus vs
      Higher Resolution Screen 1,229k dot vs 921k dot
      Top LCD Screen vs
      Higher Resolution Viewfinder 2,359k dot vs 1,150k dot
      Higher Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) 1/8000 sec vs 1/4000 sec
      Higher Flash Sync Speed 1/250 sec vs 1/160 sec
      Average Metering vs
      Higher DxO Low Light ISO 1555 vs 816
      Higher DxO Color Depth 25.0 vs 23.0
      Higher DxO Dynamic Range 14.0 vs 12.4
      Higher DxO Overall Score 89 vs 73
      Speaker Mono vs
      Headphone Output vs
      Environmental Sealing vs
      Longer Battery Life 500 shots vs 380 shots
      More Storage Slots 2 vs 1

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Sony Alpha SLT-A99.

      Sony SLT-A77
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      APS-C

      24.3 MP

      Sony SLT-A65
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      APS-C

      24.3 MP

      Sony SLT-A99 II
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      Full Frame

      42.4 MP

      Sony SLT-A57
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      APS-C

      16.1 MP

      Sony SLT-A77 II
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      APS-C

      24.3 MP

      Sony SLT-A33
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      APS-C

      14.2 MP

      Sony SLT-A68
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      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Sony SLT-A35
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      APS-C

      16.2 MP

      Sony SLT-A37
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      APS-C

      16.1 MP

      Sony SLT-A58
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      APS-C

      20.1 MP

      Sony a7R IIIA
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      Full Frame

      42.4 MP

      Pentax Q7
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      1/1.7-inch

      12.4 MP

      Advantage of Sony Alpha SLT-A55

      Sony SLT-A55
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Sony Alpha SLT-A55 over Sony Alpha SLT-A99.

      Sony Alpha SLT-A99 vs Sony Alpha SLT-A55
      Higher Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent) 0.71x vs 0.73x
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 6.0 fps vs 10.0 fps
      Built-in Flash vs
      Lighter 812 g (1.79 lb / 28.64 oz) vs 500 g (1.10 lb / 17.64 oz)

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Sony Alpha SLT-A55.

      Sony SLT-A37
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      APS-C

      16.1 MP

      Sony SLT-A58
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      APS-C

      20.1 MP

      Sony SLT-A77 II
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      APS-C

      24.3 MP

      Sony SLT-A68
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      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Sony SLT-A57
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      APS-C

      16.1 MP

      Sony SLT-A35
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      APS-C

      16.2 MP

      Sony SLT-A77
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      APS-C

      24.3 MP

      Sony SLT-A65
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      APS-C

      24.3 MP

      Sony SLT-A33
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      APS-C

      14.2 MP

      Sony SLT-A99 II
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      Full Frame

      42.4 MP

      Canon 1D II N
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      APS-H

      8.2 MP

      Canon 4000D
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      APS-C

      18.0 MP

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Sony Alpha SLT-A99 Sony Alpha SLT-A55
        Video Capture
        Face Detection
        Live View Autofocus
        Image StabilizationSensor ShiftSensor Shift
        Screen TypeFully ArticulatedFully Articulated
        HDMI Output Mini Type C Mini Type C
        Built-in GPS
        Orientation Sensor
      WEAKNESSES Sony Alpha SLT-A99 Sony Alpha SLT-A55
        Timelapse Recording
        Low Video Resolution1920 x 10801920 x 1080
        Low Video Recording Limit30 min30 min
        No Built-In Wi-Fi Eye-Fi is possible
        No Built-In Bluetooth
        Short Battery Life500 shots380 shots

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Sony Alpha SLT-A99 and Sony Alpha SLT-A55 have 3.0" Fully Articulated screens with 1,229k dot and 921k dot resolutions respectively. Fully articulated screen makes cameras selfie and vlogger friendly and generally very useful for video shooting.

      Image cannot be displayed Image cannot be displayed

      Sony Alpha SLT-A99 and Sony Alpha SLT-A55 with Fully Articulated screen


      Viewfinder

      Sony Alpha SLT-A99 has a built-in Electronic viewfinder with 2,359k dot resolution and Sony Alpha SLT-A55 has a built-in Electronic viewfinder with 1,150k dot resolution. They both have 100% coverage.

      Sensor

      Sony Alpha SLT-A99 features a 24.3 megapixel Full Frame CMOS sensor with dimensions of 35.8 x 23.8 mm and a total area of 852 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 25,600. Sony Alpha SLT-A55 features a 16.2 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 23.5 x 15.6 mm and a total area of 243.4 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 12,800 and expands to 100 - 25,600 in boosted mode.


      Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how different sensors compare with each other:

      Sensor size chart
      Sensor Dimensions Area Aspect Ratio Crop Factor
      Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
      Image cannot be displayedFull Frame36 x 24 mm864 mm23:21x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.6 x 15.6 mm368.2 mm23:21.5x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
      Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.4 x 13 mm226.2 mm24:32x
      Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

      Photography Features

      Cameras are equipped with BIONZ processor.


      Lens Mount

      Cameras have Sony A lens mount. Due to Full Frame sensor in Sony Alpha SLT-A99 its crop factor is equal to 1x, this means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length. Due to APS-C sensor in Sony Alpha SLT-A55 its crop factor is equal to 1.5x, this means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.5.


      In-Body Image Stabilization

      The cameras have a built-in Sensor Shift in-body image stabilization (IBIS). This means that you are still getting vibration reduction when cameras are paired with non-image stabilizied lenses. It also works with lenses with optical image stabilization and in combination can achieve even better compensation.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      Built-in GPS

      Cameras have built-in GPS (Global Positioning System) technology which allows you to automatically tag the location where you took your photos. You can later categorize, organize, and search for photos based on location. This is very useful for travel and outdoor photographers for documenting the locations where images were captured.
        Check out the cameras in our database that have built-in GPS.


      USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

      Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. Sony Alpha SLT-A99 has a Mini Type C HDMI and Sony Alpha SLT-A55 has a Mini Type C HDMI connector for video signal output.


      Battery

      Sony Alpha SLT-A99 comes with NP-FM500H battery pack with battery life of 500 shots and Sony Alpha SLT-A55 comes with NP-FW50 battery pack with battery life of 380 shots.


      External Storage Slots

      Cameras have two card slots - one for Single Slot: SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo and one for .

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Sony Alpha SLT-A99 and Sony Alpha SLT-A55 have Electronically controlled Vertical-traverse Focal-plane. shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/8000 sec on Sony Alpha SLT-A99, and up to 1/4000 sec on Sony Alpha SLT-A55. Sony Alpha SLT-A99 can shoot continuously up to 6.0 fps. Sony Alpha SLT-A55 can shoot continuously up to 10.0 fps.


      Flash

      Sony Alpha SLT-A55 has a built-in flash with maximum range of 10.00 m (@ ISO 100) and also accepts external flash. Sony Alpha SLT-A99 has no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected via Hot Shoe. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/250 sec on Sony Alpha SLT-A99 and 1/160 sec on Sony Alpha SLT-A55.

      Physical Parameters

      Sony Alpha SLT-A99 body has dimensions of 147 x 111 x 78 mm (5.79 x 4.37 x 3.07") and Sony Alpha SLT-A55 body has dimensions of 124 x 92 x 85 mm (4.88 x 3.62 x 3.35"). Sony Alpha SLT-A99 weighs 812 g (1.79 lb / 28.64 oz) and Sony Alpha SLT-A55 weighs 500 g (1.10 lb / 17.64 oz).

      Sony Alpha SLT-A99

      Sony Alpha SLT-A55

      147 mm

      111 mm

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      124 mm

      92 mm

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      111 mm

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      92 mm

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      78 mm

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      85 mm

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      Size comparisons of Sony Alpha SLT-A99 and Sony Alpha SLT-A55

      Sony Alpha SLT-A99 and Sony Alpha SLT-A55 for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Sony Alpha SLT-A99

      Sony Alpha SLT-A55

      EXCELLENT
      90
      •   Large Sensor
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,229k dot
      •   Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      GOOD
      77
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Sony Alpha SLT-A99

      Sony Alpha SLT-A55

      GOOD
      74
      •   25,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   19 Focus Points
      •   11 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,229k dot
      •   Viewfinder Resolution - 2,359k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 6.0 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 500 shots
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      GOOD
      70
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   15 Focus Points
      •   3 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Low Resolution Viewfinder - 1,150k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 10.0 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 380 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Wildlife Photography

      Sony Alpha SLT-A99

      Sony Alpha SLT-A55

      GOOD
      70
      •   25,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   19 Focus Points
      •   11 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,229k dot
      •   Viewfinder Resolution - 2,359k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 6.0 fps
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 500 shots
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      63
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   15 Focus Points
      •   3 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Low Resolution Viewfinder - 1,150k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 10.0 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 380 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Portrait Photography

      Sony Alpha SLT-A99

      Sony Alpha SLT-A55

      GOOD
      84
      •   Large Sensor
      •   19 Focus Points
      •   11 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,229k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor
      GOOD
      81
      •   15 Focus Points
      •   3 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Street Photography

      Sony Alpha SLT-A99

      Sony Alpha SLT-A55

      EXCELLENT
      87
      •   Large Sensor
      •   19 Focus Points
      •   11 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,229k dot
      •   Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 812 g (1.79 lb / 28.64 oz)
      EXCELLENT
      86
      •   15 Focus Points
      •   3 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 500 g (1.10 lb / 17.64 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Sony Alpha SLT-A99

      Sony Alpha SLT-A55

      EXCELLENT
      85
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,229k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 812 g (1.79 lb / 28.64 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 500 shots
      EXCELLENT
      85
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 500 g (1.10 lb / 17.64 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 380 shots

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Sony Alpha SLT-A99 and Sony Alpha SLT-A55 and give them scores of 75 and 69 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


      Sony Alpha SLT-A99

      Sony Alpha SLT-A55

      OVERALL
      75
      OVERALL
      69

      Sensor

      Sony Alpha SLT-A99

      Sony Alpha SLT-A55

      GOOD
      75
      •   Large Sensor
      •   Sensor Resolution - 24.3 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   25,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   High DxO Overall Score - 89
      AVERAGE
      68
      •   Sensor Resolution - 16.2 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   DxO Overall Score - 73

      Photo

      Sony Alpha SLT-A99

      Sony Alpha SLT-A55

      GOOD
      77
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 6.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
      GOOD
      71
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 10.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec

      Video

      Sony Alpha SLT-A99

      Sony Alpha SLT-A55

      POOR
      45
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      POOR
      45
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit

      Focusing

      Sony Alpha SLT-A99

      Sony Alpha SLT-A55

      GOOD
      75
      •   19 Focus Points
      •   11 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      GOOD
      72
      •   15 Focus Points
      •   3 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Sony Alpha SLT-A99

      Sony Alpha SLT-A55

      GOOD
      81
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,229k dot
      •   Viewfinder Resolution - 2,359k dot
      GOOD
      78
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Low Resolution Viewfinder - 1,150k dot

      Connectivity

      Sony Alpha SLT-A99

      Sony Alpha SLT-A55

      GOOD
      84
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      GOOD
      81
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Sony Alpha SLT-A99

      Sony Alpha SLT-A55

      GOOD
      72
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 812 g (1.79 lb / 28.64 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 500 shots
      •   2 Storage Slots
      POOR
      41
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 500 g (1.10 lb / 17.64 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 380 shots


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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