How many Megapixels does the Sony A99 have?
The Sony Alpha SLT-A99 is equipped with a a full frame sensor that offers an image resolution of 24 megapixels (MP), or 24 million pixels. With its native aspect ratio of 3:2, the sensor has 6 000 horizontal pixels and 4 000 vertical pixels.
A 35mm film slide or negative contains 5-15 MP of useful detail, so that the Sony A99 can be considered to be a high-resolution camera that outresolves any 35mm film camera.
A high megapixel count makes it possible to crop any captured image substantially or to make very large prints from the image file. On the downside, large megapixel files are slower to transfer and take up more storage space on the computer harddisk. Also, high-resolution imaging requires sharper, more expensive lenses than low-res picture taking.
How large can I print with 24 MP?
The maximum print size of the Sony A99 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 30 x 20 inches or 76.2 x 50.8 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 24 x 16 inches or 61 x 40.6 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 20 x 13.3 inches or 50.8 x 33.9 cm. Few people actually print their images that large on a regular basis, but it is nice to have the option to make very large prints of exceptional shots. Also, as mentioned earlier, a key advantage of high-MP cameras is that it is possible to crop an image ex-post and thereby, for example, change the composition of the capture or zoom in on some detail.
Sensor specs and performance
The table below compares the sensor specs of the Sony A99 to those of several similar cameras. In addition to sensor class and megapixel count, DXO values are reported as indicators of the sensor's imaging quality (higher is better). Three aspects are covered: color depth (DXO Portrait), dynamic range (DXO Landscape), and high-ISO noise (DXO Sports). Larger sensor cameras tend to outperform cameras of the same generation that are equipped with a smaller imager. On the other hand, larger sensors are more expensive and require bigger and heavier lenses than smaller light receptors.
# | Camera Model |
Sensor Class |
Resolution (MP) |
Horiz. Pixels |
Vert. Pixels |
Video Format |
DXO Portrait |
DXO Landscape |
DXO Sports |
DXO Overall |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Sony A99 | Full Frame | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/60p | 25.0 | 14.0 | 1555 | 89 | |
2. | Canon R6 | Full Frame | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 4k/60p | 24.2 | 14.3 | 3394 | 90 | |
3. | Panasonic GH5 | Four Thirds | 20.2 | 5184 | 3888 | 4K/60p | 23.9 | 13.0 | 807 | 77 | |
4. | Pentax K-3 | APS-C | 24.1 | 6016 | 4000 | 1080/60i | 23.7 | 13.4 | 1216 | 80 | |
5. | Sony A9 II | Full Frame | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 4K/30p | 25.0 | 14.0 | 3434 | 93 | |
6. | Sony A9 | Full Frame | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 4K/30p | 24.9 | 13.3 | 3517 | 92 | |
7. | Sony A99 II | Full Frame | 42.2 | 7952 | 5304 | 4K/30p | 25.4 | 13.4 | 2317 | 92 | |
8. | Sony A7 II | Full Frame | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/60p | 24.9 | 13.6 | 2449 | 90 | |
9. | Sony A77 | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/60p | 24.0 | 13.2 | 801 | 78 | |
10. | Sony A850 | Full Frame | 24.4 | 6048 | 4032 | none | 23.8 | 12.2 | 1415 | 79 | |
11. | Sony A900 | Full Frame | 24.4 | 6048 | 4032 | none | 23.7 | 12.3 | 1431 | 79 |
In the United States, the A99 was initially launched in September 2012 at a price of $2,799.
Camera to camera comparisons
In case you are interested in seeing how this camera compares to another one, just make your choice using the following search menu. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.
Camera Model | Sony A99 | |
---|---|---|
Camera Type | Digital single lens reflex | |
Camera Lens | Sony A mount lenses | |
Launch Date | September 2012 | |
Launch Price | USD 2 799 | |
Sensor Specs | ||
Sensor Technology | CMOS | |
Sensor Format | Full Frame Sensor | |
Sensor Size | 35.8 x 23.8 mm | |
Sensor Area | 852 mm2 | |
Sensor Diagonal | 43 mm | |
Crop Factor | 1.0x | |
Sensor Resolution | 24 Megapixels | |
Image Resolution | 6 000 x 4 000 pixels | |
Pixel Pitch | 5.96 μm | |
Pixel Density | 2.82 MP/cm2 | |
Moiré control | Anti-Alias filter | |
Movie Capability | 1080/60p Video | |
ISO Setting | 100 - 25 600 ISO | |
ISO Boost | 50 - 25 600 ISO | |
Image Processor | BIONZ X | |
DXO Sensor Quality (score) | 89 | |
DXO Color Depth (bits) | 25.0 | |
DXO Dynamic Range (EV) | 14.0 | |
DXO Low Light (ISO) | 1555 | |
Screen Specs | ||
Viewfinder Type | Electronic viewfinder | |
Viewfinder Field of View | 100% | |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.71x | |
Viewfinder Resolution | 2359k dots | |
Top-Level Screen | Control Panel | |
LCD Framing | Live View | |
LCD Size | 3.0 inch | |
LCD Resolution | 1229k dots | |
LCD Attachment | Fully flexible screen | |
V-logging Friendliness | Front-flip possible | |
Touch Input | No touchscreen | |
Shooting Specs | ||
Focus System | Phase-detect AF | |
Manual Focusing Aid | Focus Peaking | |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/8000s | |
Continuous Shooting | 6 shutter flaps/s | |
Shutter Life Expectancy | 200 000 actuations | |
Silent Shooting | no E-Shutter | |
Time Lapse Photography | no Intervalometer | |
Image Stabilization | In-body stabilization | |
Fill Flash | no On-Board Flash | |
Storage Medium | MS or SDXC cards | |
Single or Dual Card Slots | Dual card slots | |
UHS card support | UHS-I | |
Connectivity Specs | ||
External Flash | Hotshoe | |
Studio Flash | PC Sync socket | |
USB Connector | USB 2.0 | |
HDMI Port | mini HDMI | |
Microphone Port | External MIC port | |
Headphone Socket | Headphone port | |
Wifi Support | no Wifi | |
Geotagging | GPS built-in | |
Body Specs | ||
Environmental Sealing | Weathersealed body | |
Battery Type | Sony NP-FM500H power pack | |
Battery Life (CIPA) | 500 shots per charge | |
Body Dimensions |
147 x 111 x 78 mm (5.8 x 4.4 x 3.1 in) |
|
Camera Weight | 812 g (28.6 oz) |
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