Sony SLT camera

The Sony SLT design features a pellicle mirror which allows light to strike both the digital image sensor (parallel to the lens mount, behind mirror) and phase-detection autofocus sensor (perpendicular to the mount) at all times.

Single-Lens Translucent (SLT) is a Sony proprietary designation for Sony Alpha cameras which employ a pellicle mirror, electronic viewfinder, and phase-detection autofocus system. They employ the same Minolta A-mount as Sony Alpha DSLR cameras.[1]

Sony SLT cameras have a semi-transparent fixed mirror which diverts a portion of incoming light to a phase-detection autofocus sensor, while the remaining light strikes a digital image sensor. The image sensor feeds the electronic viewfinder, and also records still images and video on command. The utility of the SLT design is to allow full-time phase-detection autofocus during electronic viewfinder, live view, and video recording operation.[2][3] With the advent of digital image sensors with integrated phase-detection, the SLT design is no longer required to accomplish this goal, as evidenced by cameras such as the Sony NEX-5R, Fujifilm X-100s, and Nikon 1.[4][5]

The term "translucent" is a misnomer for the actual SLT design, which employs a pellicle mirror that is not translucent. Pellicle mirrors have been used in single-lens reflex cameras from at least the 1960s (see Canon Pellix).

List of SLT cameras

Sony Alpha 55
Model Megapixels Sensor Screen Built-in flash
Sony Alpha 33 14 MP APS-C 3" articulated Yes (pop-up)
Sony Alpha 35 16 MP APS-C 3" fixed Yes (pop-up)
Sony Alpha 37 16 MP APS-C 2.7" tilting Yes (pop-up)
Sony Alpha 55 16 MP APS-C 3" articulated Yes (pop-up)
Sony Alpha 57 16 MP APS-C 3" articulated Yes (pop-up)
Sony Alpha 58 20 MP APS-C 2.7" tilting Yes (pop-up)
Sony Alpha 65 24 MP APS-C 3" articulated Yes (pop-up)
Sony Alpha 68 24 MP APS-C 2.7" tilting Yes (pop-up)
Sony Alpha 77 24 MP APS-C 3" fully articulated Yes (pop-up)
Sony Alpha 77 II 24 MP APS-C 3" fully articulated Yes (pop-up)
Sony Alpha 99 24 MP Full-frame sensor 3" fully articulated No

All of the above cameras record 1920x1080 video at 60i/30p, in MPEG-4, AVCHD or H.264 formats.

Source: summarised from the full comparison table at DP Review.

See also

References

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