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Nikon D70S vs Sony Alpha DSLR-A100

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

NikonD70SSonyAlpha DSLR-A100
Overview
ReleasedApril 2005July 2006
Image and sensor
Camera typeDSLRDSLR
Sensor formatAPS-CAPS-C
Sensor typeCCDCCD
Sensor dimensions23.7 × 15.6 mm23.6 × 15.8 mm
Effective resolution6.1 MP10.2 MP
Largest image3008 × 20003880 × 2600
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range200–1600100–1600
Sensor detail6.24 million total pixels; Nikon DX-format primary-colour CCDInterlace-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 RAW plus Basic JPEG; no in-camera TIFF recordingJPEG, 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 200–1600 in one-third-stop increments; Auto ISOStandard 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 detailAF coupling drives compatible screw-drive AF lenses. Supported non-CPU AI lenses work in 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 900 phase detection with five focus areas; single-area, dynamic-area and closest-subject-priority modes; AF assist lampTTL phase detection; nine points with centre cross sensor; single-shot, continuous, automatic AF, direct manual focus and manual focus; selectable Eye-Start AF
ShutterCombined mechanical and CCD electronic shutter; 1/8000 to 30 seconds and Bulb; flash sync up to 1/500 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; four RAW frames. Nikon claims up to 144 Large Normal JPEGs using specified fast CompactFlash cards; buffer capacity depends on image settings and cardUp 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 covering an 18mm lens; guide number approximately 11 at ISO 100 in metres, 12 at full manual output; commander support and hot 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 and seven automatic scene programmes; 1005-pixel RGB 3D Colour Matrix Metering; ±5 EV compensationProgram, 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″2.5″
Screen dots130,000230,000
Tilting screenNo–
Display detailFixed 2-inch TFT with approximately 130000 dots; removable monitor coverClear Photo LCD Plus TFT; 230,000 dots count display subpixels; shooting information rotates when the body is turned
Viewfinder detailPentamirror, approximately 95% coverage and 0.75× magnification with 50mm at infinity; 18 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)500 photographs750 photographs
Body weight600 g545 g
Release detailNikon Japan records 27 April 2005 retail availability; Nikon's original US announcement specifies early May. Main uses the earlier documented Japanese date. The announcement explicitly calls D70 its predecessorSony 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 CompactFlash Type I/II slot; Microdrive supportedCompactFlash Type I/II and Microdrive; Memory Stick Duo and PRO Duo through supplied CF-slot adaptor
PortsUSB 2.0 Full Speed; NTSC/PAL analogue video output; dedicated MC-DC1 cable-release port. No HDMIUSB 2.0 Hi-Speed, switchable NTSC/PAL video output, remote-release terminal and DC input
Wireless connectionsOptional ML-L3 infrared shutter remote; no built-in Wi-Fi–
Battery life detailSupplied EN-EL3a. Manual claims approximately 500 shots in Nikon's single-frame test with AF-S DX 18–70mm f/3.5–4.5G IF-ED and full flash on alternate exposures; this is not labelled CIPA. Separate continuous test claims approximately 2500 shots. EN-EL3 or three CR2 cells with optional MS-D70 holder also supportedNP-FM55H; approximately 750 photographs under CIPA conditions with flash used for half of the shots
ChargingMH-18a external charger; optional EH-5 AC adapterSupplied BC-VM10 external charger
DimensionsApproximately 140 × 111 × 78 mm133.1 × 94.7 × 71.3 mm (width × height × depth), excluding protrusions
Weight detailApproximately 600 g excluding battery, memory 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
Video
Video detailNo movie recording or live viewStill-image camera; no movie recording or live-view framing (Photography Blog and Cameralabs)

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