Sony Camera Alpha Slt A99 Instruction Manual

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Using the software
Viewing images on a computer
Note If “PMB” (Picture Motion Browser) supplied with a camera that was purchased 
before 2011 has already been installed on the computer, “PMB” will be overwritten 
by “PlayMemories Home,” and you may be unable to use some functions of “PMB.”
Log on as Administrator.
3Remove the CD-ROM after the installation is complete.
The following software is installed and shortcut icons appear on the desktop.
“Image Data Converter”
“Remote Camera Control”
“PlayMemories Home”
“PlayMemories Home Help Guide”
Installing the software (Mac)
1Turn on your Mac computer, and insert the CD-ROM (supplied) 
into the CD-ROM drive.
2Double-click the CD-ROM icon.
3Copy the [IDC_INST.pkg] and [RCC_INST.pkg] files in the 
[MAC] folder to the hard disk icon.
4Double-click the [IDC_INST.pkg] and [RCC_INST.pkg] files in 
the copy-to folder.
Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation. 
						

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Others
Learning more about the camera 
(α Handbook)
“α Handbook,” which explains how to use the camera in detail, is included 
on the CD-ROM (supplied). Refer to it for in-depth instructions on the 
many functions of the camera.
For Windows users
1Turn on your computer, and insert the CD-ROM (supplied) into 
the CD-ROM drive.
2Click [Handbook].
3Click [Install].
4Start “α Handbook” from the shortcut on the desktop.
For Mac users
1Turn on your computer, and insert the CD-ROM (supplied) into 
the CD-ROM drive.
2Select the [Handbook] folder and copy “Handbook.pdf” stored 
in the [GB] folder to your computer.
3After copying is complete, double-click “Handbook.pdf.” 
						

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Others
Checking the number of recordable 
images/recording time
Notes When “0” (the number of recordable images) flashes in yellow, the memory card is 
full. Replace the memory card with another one, or delete images in the current 
memory card (pages 43, 67).
 When “NO CARD” (the number of recordable images) flashes in yellow, it means 
no memory card has been inserted. Insert a memory card.
The table shows the approximate number of images that can be recorded on 
a memory card formatted with this camera. The values are defined using 
Sony standard memory cards for testing. The values may vary depending 
on the shooting conditions and the type of memory card used.
Image Size: L 24M
Aspect Ratio: 3:2*
“Memory Stick PRO Duo” (Units: Images)
* When [Aspect Ratio] is set to [16:9], you can record more images than the numbers 
shown in the table above (except when [RAW] is selected).
Once you insert a memory card into the 
camera and set the power switch to ON, 
the number of images that can be 
recorded (should you continue to shoot 
using the current settings) is displayed on 
the screen.
The number of images that can be recorded on a memory 
card
Capacity
Size2GB 4GB 8GB 16GB 32GB 64GB
Standard 280 560 1100 2250 4600 9200
Fine 195 395 800 1600 3200 6400
RAW & JPEG 54 105 215 435 870 1750
RAW 74 145 295 600 1200 2400 
						

							84
Checking the number of recordable images/recording time
The approximate number of images that can be recorded is as follows when 
you use the camera with the battery pack (supplied) at full capacity.
Note that the actual numbers may be less than those indicated depending on 
the conditions of use.
 The number is calculated with a battery pack at full capacity and in the 
following situation:
– At an ambient temperature of 25°C (77°F).
– Using the battery pack that is charged for an hour after the CHARGE 
lamp goes out.
– Using Sony “Memory Stick PRO Duo” media (sold separately).
– “Memory Stick PRO Duo” media is inserted in memory card SLOT1 
and there is no memory card in memory card SLOT2.
– [Quality] is set to [Fine].
– [Focus Mode] is set to [Automatic AF].
– Shooting once every 30 seconds.
– The power turns on and off once every 10 times.
– [GPS On/Off] is set to [Off] (SLT-A99V only).
 The measurement method is based on the CIPA standard.
(CIPA: Camera & Imaging Products Association)
The table below shows the approximate total recording times using a 
memory card formatted with this camera.
The number of images that can be recorded using a 
battery pack
SLT-A99 SLT-A99V
LCD monitor modeApprox. 500 images Approx. 500 images
Viewfinder modeApprox. 410 images Approx. 410 images
Available recording time for a movie 
						

							85
Checking the number of recordable images/recording time
Others
“Memory Stick PRO Duo” (h (hour), m (minute))
Notes The recordable time of movies varies for the reason that the camera equipped with 
VBR (Variable Bit Rate) which automatically adjusts image quality depending on 
shooting scene. When you record fast-moving subject, the image is clearer but the 
recordable time is shorter because it spends much memory to record. The recordable 
time also vary depending on the shooting condition or subject or setting of image 
quality/size.
 The values shown are not the continuous recording time.
 Recording time may depend on shooting conditions and the memory card used.
 When   is indicated, stop recording the movie. The temperature inside the camera 
has increased to an unacceptable level.
 For details on movie playback, see page 66.
 It requires a lot of power to perform high quality movie recording or continuous 
shooting using the image sensor. Therefore, if you continue to shoot, the temperature 
inside the camera will rise, especially that of the image sensor. In such cases, the 
camera is turned off automatically since higher temperatures affect the quality of the 
images or burden the internal mechanism of the camera.
 The duration of time available for movie recording is as follows when the camera 
starts recording after the power of the camera has been turned off for a while. (The Capacity
Record 
Setting2GB 4GB 8GB 16GB 32GB 64GB
60i 24M(FX)/50i 
24M(FX)10 m 20 m 40 m 1 h 30 m 3 h 6 h
60i 17M(FH)/50i 
17M(FH)10 m 30 m 1 h 2 h 4 h 5 m 8 h 15 m
60p 28M(PS)/50p 
28M(PS)9 m 15 m 35 m 1 h 15 m 2 h 30 m 5 h 5 m
24p 24M(FX)/25p 
24M(FX)10 m 20 m 40 m 1 h 30 m 3 h 6 h
24p 17M(FH)/25p 
17M(FH)10 m 30 m 1 h 2 h 4 h 5 m 8 h 15 m
1440×1080 12M 20 m 40 m 1 h 20 m 2 h 45 m 5 h 30 m 11 h 5 m
VGA 3M
1 h 10 m 2 h 25 m 4 h 55 m 10 h 20 h 5 m40 h 
15 m
Notes on continuous movie recording 
						

							86
Checking the number of recordable images/recording time
following values indicate the continuous time from when the camera starts recording 
until the camera stops recording.)
 The duration of time available for movie recording varies with the temperature or 
condition of the camera before you start recording. If you frequently recompose or 
shoot images after the power is turned on, the temperature inside the camera rises 
and the recording time available is shorter than the values indicated in the table 
above.
 If the camera stops recording due to the temperature, leave it for several minutes 
with the power turned off. Start recording after the temperature inside the camera 
drops fully.
 If you observe the following points, the recording time is longer.
– Keep the camera out of direct sunlight.
– Turn the camera off when it is not being used.
 The maximum size of a movie file is about 2 GB. When the file size is about 2 GB, 
the recording stops automatically when [File Format] is set to [MP4], and a new 
movie file is created automatically when [File Format] is set to [AVCHD].
 The maximum continuous recording time is 29 minutes.Ambient temperatureContinuous recording time 
for movies
20°C (68°F) About 29 minutes
30°C (86°F) About 29 minutes
40°C (104°F) About 29 minutes 
						

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Others
Specifications
Camera
[System]
Camera Type Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera
Lens A-mount lens*
* When a DT lens is attached, the APS-C size is 
automatically selected.
[Image sensor]
Image format 35 mm full-frame (35.8 mm×23.9 mm) CMOS image 
sensor
Total pixel number of image sensor
Approx. 24 700 000 pixels
Effective pixel number of camera
Approx. 24 300 000 pixels
[SteadyShot]
For still images System: Image sensor-shift mechanism
Effect: Approx. 2.5 EV to 4.5 EV in shutter speed 
(depending on shooting conditions and the attached 
lens)
For movies System: Electronic
[Anti-Dust]
System Charge protection coating on Low-Pass Filter and 
image sensor-shift mechanism
[Auto focus system]
System TTL phase-detection system, 19 points (11 points cross 
type) and 102 assist points*
* The AF assist function can be used only with 
compatible lenses.
Sensitivity Range –1 EV to 18 EV (at ISO 100 equivalent)
AF illuminator Approx. 1 m to 7 m (3.3 feet to 23 feet)
[Electronic viewfinder]
Type Electronic viewfinder
Screen size 1.3 cm (0.5 type)
Total number of dots 2 359 296 dots 
						

							88
Specifications
Frame coverage 100%
Magnification 0.71 × with 50 mm lens at infinity, –1 m–1 (diopter)
Eye Point Approximately 27 mm from the eyepiece, 22 mm from 
the eyepiece frame at –1 m
–1
Diopter Adjustment –4.0 m–1 to +3.0 m–1 (diopter)
[LCD monitor]
LCD panel 7.5 cm (3.0 type) TFT drive
Total number of dots 1 228 800 dots
[Exposure control]
Metering Cell “Exmor” CMOS sensor
Metering method 1 200-zone evaluative metering
Metering Range –2 EV to +17 EV (at ISO 100 equivalent with F1.4 
lens)
ISO sensitivity (Recommended exposure index)
Still images: AUTO, ISO 50 to 25 600 (1/3 EV step)
Movies: AUTO, ISO 100 to 6 400 (1/3 EV step)
Multi frame noise reduction: AUTO/ISO 100 to 51 200
Exposure compensation ±5.0 EV (switchable between 1/3 and 1/2 EV steps)
[Shutter]
Type Electronically-controlled, vertical-traverse, focal-plane 
type
Speed range Still images: 1/8 000 second to 30 seconds, bulb
Movies: 1/8 000 second to 1/4 second (1/3 step)
1080 60i-compatible device
up to 1/60 in AUTO mode (up to 1/30 in Auto slow  
shutter mode)
1080 50i-compatible device
up to 1/50 in AUTO mode (up to 1/25 in Auto slow  
shutter mode)
Flash sync speed 1/250 second
[Continuous shooting]
Continuous shooting speed Tele-zoom Cont. Priority AE: Approx. maximum 10 
images per second/  : Approx. maximum 6 images 
per second/  : Approx. maximum 2.5 images per 
second
 The speed of continuous shooting is estimated using 
our criteria. The speed of continuous shooting is 
slower, depending on shooting conditions. 
						

							89
Specifications
Others
The maximum number of continuous shots (when using “Memory Stick PRO-HG 
Duo” media)
In Tele-zoom Cont. Priority AE mode (approx. 
maximum 10 images per second)
Extra fine: 18 images/Fine: 22 images/Standard: 24 
images
In Continuous shooting 
Extra fine: 14 images/Fine: 18 images/Standard: 20 
images/RAW & JPEG: 11 images/RAW: 13 images
[Image zooming playback]
Scaling  range Image size: L: Approx. ×1.0 – ×16.7/M: Approx. ×1.0 – 
×11.8/S: Approx. ×1.0 – ×8.3
[Recording format]
File format JPEG (DCF Ver. 2.0, Exif Ver. 2.3, MPF Baseline) 
compliant, RAW (Sony ARW 2.3 format)
Movie (AVCHD format) AVCHD Ver. 2.0 compliant
Video: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264
Audio: Dolby Digital 2ch, equipped with Dolby Digital 
Stereo Creator
 Manufactured under license from Dolby 
Laboratories.
Movie (MP4 format) Video: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264
Audio: MPEG-4 AAC-LC 2ch
[Recording media]
“Memory Stick PRO Duo” media, SD card
[Slot]
SLOT1 Multi-slot for “Memory Stick PRO Duo” media, SD 
card (UHS-1 interface)
SLOT2 Slot for SD card (UHS-1 interface)
Operations between memory cards
[Input/output terminals]
USB miniB, Hi-Speed USB (USB 2.0)
HDMI HDMI minijack
m (Microphone) Terminal  3.5 mm Stereo minijack
i (Headphones) Terminal  3.5 mm Stereo minijack
REMOTE Terminal 
						

							90
Specifications
[Power, general]
Used battery pack Rechargeable battery pack NP-FM500H
Power consumption (during shooting)
When using the viewfinder: Approx. 4.2 W
When using the LCD screen: Approx. 3.6 W
(With the SAL2470Z lens attached, for shooting still 
images)
[Others]
Microphone Stereo
Speaker Monaural
Exif Print Compatible
PRINT Image Matching III Compatible
DPOF Compatible
Dimensions Approx. 147 mm × 111.2 mm × 78.4 mm 
(5 7/8 inches × 4 1/2 inches × 3 1/8 inches) (W/H/D, 
excluding protrusions)
MassSLT-A99V
Approx. 812 g (1 lb 12.7 oz) (with battery and 
“Memory Stick PRO Duo” media)
Approx. 733 g (1 lb 9.9 oz) (body only)
SLT-A99
Approx. 807 g (1 lb 12.5 oz) (with battery and 
“Memory Stick PRO Duo” media)
Approx. 728 g (1 lb 9.7 oz) (body only)
Operating temperature 0°C to 40°C (32°F to 104°F)
ADP-MAA Shoe adaptor
Mass Approx. 12 g (0.5 oz)
Dimensions Approx. 26 mm × 20.1 mm × 26 mm (1 1/16 inches × 
13/16 inches × 1 1/16 inches) (W/H/D, excluding 
protrusions)
BC-VM10A Battery charger
Input rating 100 V - 240 V AC, 50/60 Hz, 9 W
Output rating  8.4 V DC, 0.75 A
Operating temperature range 0°C to 40°C (32°F to 104°F)
Storage temperature range –20°C to +60°C (–4°F to +140°F)