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Nikon D80 vs Sony Alpha DSLR-A100

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

NikonD80SonyAlpha DSLR-A100
Overview
ReleasedSeptember 2006July 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 detail10.75 million total pixels; Image Dust Off reference data for software correction, without physical sensor cleaningInterlace-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 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 up to ISO 3200; Auto ISOStandard ISO 100–1600; Auto ISO 100–800; Lo80 and Hi200 are separate Zone Matching settings
Image processorNikon high-resolution image-processing engineBIONZ
Lens and shooting
Lens mountNikon F mountSony A-mount
StabilisationOptical lens stabilisationSensor shift
Maximum continuous burst3 fps3 fps
Lens detailDX angle of view approximately 1.5× FX focal length; AF coupling supports compatible screw-drive lenses. Non-CPU lenses permit 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 1000 phase detection with 11 points; single-area, dynamic-area and auto-area modes; selectable wide centre area; AF-S, AF-C and AF-ATTL phase detection; nine points with centre cross sensor; single-shot, continuous, automatic AF, direct manual focus and manual focus; selectable Eye-Start AF
Shutter1/4000 to 30 seconds, Bulb and Time; 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; maker specifies six NEF frames and up to 100 Large Normal JPEG framesUp 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 13 at ISO 100 in metres; commander for two remote groups; ISO 518 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, auto and scene modes; 420-pixel RGB 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 size2.5″2.5″
Screen dots230,000230,000
Tilting screenNo–
Display detailFixed TFT with approximately 100% coverage and 170° viewing angle; dots count subpixelsClear Photo LCD Plus TFT; 230,000 dots count display subpixels; shooting information rotates when the body is turned
Viewfinder detailPentaprism, approximately 95% coverage and 0.94× magnification with 50mm f/1.4 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
Battery life (maker's claim)600 photographs750 photographs
Body weight585 g545 g
Release detailNikon's original US announcement specifies September 2006 availability; Nikon Japan records 1 September there. Main retains the month without assigning the Japanese day to every regionSony Japan specifies 21 July 2006 for the body and both initial lens kits; Sony's US release gives July 2006 without a day.
Recording mediaSD and SDHC cards; MMC unsupportedCompactFlash Type I/II and Microdrive; Memory Stick Duo and PRO Duo through supplied CF-slot adaptor
PortsHi-Speed USB, analogue AV output, optional AC adapter input and MC-DC1 remote connection; optional ML-L3 infrared remoteUSB 2.0 Hi-Speed, switchable NTSC/PAL video output, remote-release terminal and DC input
Battery life detailEN-EL3e; approximately 600 photographs in the maker's single-frame test with flash on alternate exposures, not labelled CIPA. A separate continuous-shooting test claims approximately 2700; optional MB-D80 grip accepts battery packs or six AA cellsNP-FM55H; approximately 750 photographs under CIPA conditions with flash used for half of the shots
ChargingExternal MH-18a charger; optional EH-5 AC adapterSupplied BC-VM10 external charger
DimensionsApproximately 132 × 103 × 77 mm133.1 × 94.7 × 71.3 mm (width × height × depth), excluding protrusions
Weight detailApproximately 585 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
Video
Video detailNo movie recording or live view, as confirmed by both reviewsStill-image camera; no movie recording or live-view framing (Photography Blog and Cameralabs)

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