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Nikon D300 vs Sony Alpha DSLR-A100

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

NikonD300SonyAlpha DSLR-A100
Overview
ReleasedNovember 2007July 2006
Image and sensor
Camera typeDSLRDSLR
Sensor formatAPS-CAPS-C
Sensor typeCMOSCCD
Sensor dimensions23.6 × 15.8 mm23.6 × 15.8 mm
Effective resolution12.3 MP10.2 MP
Largest image4288 × 28483880 × 2600
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range200–3200100–1600
Sensor detail13.1 million total pixels; vibrating low-pass filter for dust removal; Image Dust Off reference dataInterlace-scan CCD with primary-colour filter; 10.8 million total pixels; anti-static coating and sensor vibration for dust reduction
Image formats12-bit or 14-bit NEF RAW, uncompressed, compressed or losslessly compressed; JPEG, TIFF RGB and RAW plus JPEGJPEG, RAW and RAW+JPEG; Sony UK lists 3880 × 2600 RAW and 3872 × 2592 maximum JPEG. Sony Japan's launch table gives 3872 × 2592 recording pixels without a separate RAW row.
ISO detailExpanded equivalents ISO 100–6400; Auto ISOStandard ISO 100–1600; Auto ISO 100–800; Lo80 and Hi200 are separate Zone Matching settings
Image processorEXPEED image-processing system; Scene Recognition SystemBIONZ
Lens and shooting
Lens mountNikon F mountSony A-mount
StabilisationOptical lens stabilisationSensor shift
Maximum continuous burst6 fps3 fps
Lens detailAF coupling supports compatible screw-drive lenses. Supported non-CPU AI lenses permit aperture-priority and manual exposure; entered lens data enables colour matrix metering. IX and F3AF lenses unsupportedInterchangeable A-mount; compatible Sony, Minolta and Konica Minolta lenses; kit-lens specifications are separate from the camera body
AutofocusMulti-CAM 3500DX phase detection; 51 points including 15 cross-type; single-point, auto-area and dynamic 9/21/51-point modes with 3D tracking; AF fine-tuningTTL phase detection; nine points with centre cross sensor; single-shot, continuous, automatic AF, direct manual focus and manual focus; selectable Eye-Start AF
Shutter1/8000 to 30 seconds and Bulb; standard flash sync 1/250 second, with 1/320 available at reduced flash range; shutter tested to 150000 cyclesElectronically controlled vertical-traverse focal-plane shutter; 30 seconds to 1/4000 second plus Bulb; flash sync 1/160 second with stabilisation off or 1/125 with it on
Burst detailApproximately 6 fps with the body's EN-EL3e. Up to 8 fps using MB-D10 with EN-EL4/EN-EL4a or eight AA cells, or EH-5/EH-5a AC power; an EN-EL3e in the grip alone does not provide 8 fps. 14-bit RAW limits speed to approximately 2.5 fpsUp to 3 fps under Sony's L Fine JPEG, manual-focus and faster-than-1/250-second conditions. JPEG can continue until the card fills with sufficiently fast media; buffer claim is six RAW or three RAW+JPEG photographs.
Stabilisation detailOptical VR depends on the attached lens; no sensor-shift stabilisationSuper SteadyShot CCD-shift mechanism; Sony claims approximately 2–3.5 stops depending on lens and shooting conditions; Minolta AF Macro Zoom 3X-1X F1.7-2.8 is excluded from the launch compatibility claim
FlashPop-up i-TTL flash; guide number approximately 12 at ISO 100 in metres, 13 at full manual output; commander support, hot shoe and PC sync terminalBuilt-in manually raised flash; guide number 12 at ISO 100 in metres; ADI/P-TTL metering; compatible external Alpha flash support
Exposure controlsP/S/A/M; 1005-pixel RGB 3D Colour Matrix Metering II; ±5 EV compensation; Active D-Lighting and interval timerProgram, aperture priority, shutter priority and manual; six scene modes; 40-segment honeycomb, centre-weighted and spot metering; D-Range Optimizer is unavailable for RAW and RAW+JPEG
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderOpticalOptical
Screen size3″2.5″
Screen dots920,000230,000
Tilting screenNo–
Display detailFixed TFT with 170° viewing angle; dots count subpixels; removable protective coverClear Photo LCD Plus TFT; 230,000 dots count display subpixels; shooting information rotates when the body is turned
Viewfinder detailPentaprism, approximately 100% coverage and 0.94× magnification with 50mm at infinity; 19.5 mm eyepoint; selectable gridFixed eye-level roof-mirror system; 95% coverage; 0.83× magnification with a 50 mm lens focused at infinity
Connections and design
Wi-FiNo–
Battery life (maker's claim)1000 photographs750 photographs
Body weight825 g545 g
Release detailNikon's original US announcement specifies November 2007 availability; Japan records 23 November. Main retains the monthSony Japan specifies 21 July 2006 for the body and both initial lens kits; Sony's US release gives July 2006 without a day.
Recording mediaCompactFlash Type I/II, including UDMA, and Microdrive; single slotCompactFlash Type I/II and Microdrive; Memory Stick Duo and PRO Duo through supplied CF-slot adaptor
PortsUSB 2.0 Hi-Speed, analogue NTSC/PAL output, full-size HDMI Type A (HDMI 1.3a), ten-pin accessory terminal and PC flash sync; optional MC-35 connects compatible external GPS receiversUSB 2.0 Hi-Speed, switchable NTSC/PAL video output, remote-release terminal and DC input
Wireless connectionsOptional WT-4 transmitter supplies network transfer; Wi-Fi is not built into the body–
Battery life detailEN-EL3e; approximately 1000 shots under CIPA conditions with AF-S VR 24–120mm f/3.5–5.6G ED, flash on alternate exposures and no live view. Separate Nikon continuous test claims approximately 3000. Optional MB-D10 accepts EN-EL3e, EN-EL4/EN-EL4a or eight AA cellsNP-FM55H; approximately 750 photographs under CIPA conditions with flash used for half of the shots
ChargingExternal MH-18a charger; optional EH-5/EH-5a AC adapterSupplied BC-VM10 external charger
DimensionsApproximately 147 × 114 × 74 mm133.1 × 94.7 × 71.3 mm (width × height × depth), excluding protrusions
Weight detailApproximately 825 g excluding battery, card, body cap and monitor coverApproximately 545 g without battery, recording media, lens or body accessories
Colours–Black or silver
In the box–NP-FM55H battery, BC-VM10 charger, video and USB cables, power cord, shoulder strap, Memory Stick Duo CF adaptor, body and accessory-shoe caps, software CD
MaterialsMagnesium-alloy construction with dust and moisture seals; not a waterproof rating–
Video
Video detailNo movie recording. Handheld live view uses phase-detection AF with mirror interruption; Tripod live view uses contrast-detection AFStill-image camera; no movie recording or live-view framing (Photography Blog and Cameralabs)

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