Sony Alpha 500

The Sony α 500 (DSLR-A500) is a midrange-level digital single-lens reflex camera (DSLR) marketed by Sony, which was released in 2009.

Sony a500 with a standard 18-55mm lens kit

Sony α 500

Overview
Maker	Sony Group
Type	Digital single-lens reflex camera
Lens
Lens	interchangeable, Sony α / Konica Minolta A mount
Sensor/medium
Sensor	23.5 mm × 15.6 mm APS-C 12.3 effective megapixels CMOS
Maximum resolution	4272 × 2848 pixels
Film speed	Auto, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800
Storage media	Secure Digital/Secure Digital HC, Memory Stick PRO Duo
Exposure/metering
Metering modes	Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot
Flash
Flash	Manual Pop-up: Auto, Fill-flash, Slow sync., Rear flash sync, Wireless off camera flash
Shutter
Shutter	electronically controlled, vertical-traverse, focal-plane Shutter
Shutter speed range	30–1/4000 sec, with Bulb, 1/160 sec X-sync
Continuous shooting	5 Frames Per Second, 4 Frames Per Second in LiveView
Viewfinder
Viewfinder	optical
Image processing
White balance	Auto, daylight, shade, cloudy, Tungsten, fluorescent, flash, color temperature, custom
WB bracketing	5 frames
General
LCD screen	230k pixel 3-inch TFT LCD
Battery	7.2 V, 1650 mAh (Sony NP-FM500H)
Weight	597 g (21.1 oz) (body only)
Made in	Japan

It features live view and body-integrated image stabilization. It has a 12.3 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor. The camera itself received mostly good reviews, with its fast continuous shot function, much better image quality for photos taken in bad light situations compared to 3xx series and overall very good price/performance ratio. Inability to record videoclips, is the mostly often criticized point. ^[1]

Compared to A550, A500 features less detailed LiveView LCD, 12 contra 14 MPixel sensor resolution and absence of 7 frame/s continuous shot without autofocus mode. Both cameras also feature unique auto-HDR mode.