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Nikon D40x vs Sony Alpha DSLR-A100

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

NikonD40xSonyAlpha DSLR-A100
Overview
ReleasedMarch 2007July 2006
Image and sensor
Camera typeDSLRDSLR
Sensor formatAPS-CAPS-C
Sensor typeCCDCCD
Sensor dimensions23.6 × 15.8 mm23.6 × 15.8 mm
Effective resolution10.2 MP10.2 MP
Largest image3872 × 25923880 × 2600
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range100–1600100–1600
Sensor detailNikon DX primary-colour CCD with 10.2 million effective and 10.75 million total pixels; approximately 1.5× lens focal-length equivalentInterlace-scan CCD with primary-colour filter; 10.8 million total pixels; anti-static coating and sensor vibration for dust reduction
Image formatsCompressed 12-bit NEF RAW, JPEG and simultaneous RAW plus Basic JPEG; maximum 3872 × 2592 pixels; Image Optimisation settings and in-camera retouchingJPEG, 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 detailISO 100–1600 in whole stops; Hi 1 expands to ISO 3200 equivalentStandard ISO 100–1600; Auto ISO 100–800; Lo80 and Hi200 are separate Zone Matching settings
Image processor–BIONZ
Lens and shooting
Lens mountNikon F mountSony A-mount
StabilisationOptical lens stabilisationSensor shift
Maximum continuous burst3 fps3 fps
Lens detailAutofocus with AF-S and AF-I motor-equipped lenses; no body autofocus motor. Other compatible AF lenses require manual focusing; non-CPU lenses require manual exposure without 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 530 phase-detection module; three selectable autofocus areas; -1 to +19 EV at ISO 100 equivalent, 20°C; AF-S/AF-C/AF-A, single-area, dynamic-area and closest-subject-priority dynamic-area modes; AF-assist illuminatorTTL phase detection; nine points with centre cross sensor; single-shot, continuous, automatic AF, direct manual focus and manual focus; selectable Eye-Start AF
ShutterElectronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter; 1/4000 to 30 seconds in one-third stops, Bulb and Time with optional ML-L3 remote; flash sync 1/200 secondElectronically 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 3 fps; self-timer and optional ML-L3 delayed or immediate infrared remote releaseUp 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 stabilisation. The pictured original 18–55mm ED II kit lens has no VRSuper 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
FlashBuilt-in pop-up flash; guide number approximately 12 m at ISO 100, 20°C, or 13 at manual full output; accessory shoeBuilt-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, Auto and scene modes; 420-pixel RGB matrix, centre-weighted and spot metering; ±5 EV compensation in one-third stopsProgram, 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 size2.5″2.5″
Screen dots230,000230,000
TouchscreenNo–
Tilting screenNo–
Display detailFixed 2.5-inch low-temperature-polysilicon TFT with approximately 230000 dots; Classic, Graphic and Wallpaper shooting-information displays, contextual help and playback magnification; dots count subpixelsClear Photo LCD Plus TFT; 230,000 dots count display subpixels; shooting information rotates when the body is turned
Viewfinder detailPentamirror; approximately 95% coverage, 0.80× magnification with 50mm f/1.4 at infinity and 18 mm eyepointFixed eye-level roof-mirror system; 95% coverage; 0.83× magnification with a 50 mm lens focused at infinity
Connections and design
Battery life (maker's claim)520 photographs750 photographs
Body weight495 g545 g
Release detailNikon Japan records first sale on 29 March 2007; Nikon USA announcement dated 5 March 2007 states US availability beginning AprilSony Japan specifies 21 July 2006 for the body and both initial lens kits; Sony's US release gives July 2006 without a day.
Recording mediaOne SD/SDHC card slot; MMC unsupportedCompactFlash Type I/II and Microdrive; Memory Stick Duo and PRO Duo through supplied CF-slot adaptor
PortsHi-Speed USB and NTSC/PAL video output; optional ML-L3 infrared remoteUSB 2.0 Hi-Speed, switchable NTSC/PAL video output, remote-release terminal and DC input
Battery life detailEN-EL9 rechargeable lithium-ion battery; Nikon's D40x manual (printed page 121) and original brochure specify approximately 520 CIPA photographs, corroborating the launch announcement. The manual tests single frames every 30 seconds with the 18–55mm ED II lens and flash every other shot. The current US product page lists 470 shots, conflicting with these exact-model documentsNP-FM55H; approximately 750 photographs under CIPA conditions with flash used for half of the shots
ChargingExternal MH-23 quick charger; optional EH-5 mains adapter with EP-5 power connectorSupplied BC-VM10 external charger
DimensionsApproximately 126 × 94 × 64 mm133.1 × 94.7 × 71.3 mm (width × height × depth), excluding protrusions
Weight detailApproximately 495 g excluding battery, SD card and body capApproximately 545 g without battery, recording media, lens or body accessories
ColoursBlackBlack or silver
In the boxEN-EL9 battery, MH-23 charger, UC-E4 USB cable, AN-DC1 strap, body cap, DK-5 eyepiece cap, DK-16 eyecup and PictureProject CD-ROMNP-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
Video
Video detailNo movie recording or live-view composition; NTSC/PAL output is for playbackStill-image camera; no movie recording or live-view framing (Photography Blog and Cameralabs)

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