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Nikon D80 vs Sony Alpha DSLR-A700

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

NikonD80SonyAlpha DSLR-A700
Overview
ReleasedSeptember 2006September 2007
Image and sensor
Camera typeDSLRDSLR
Sensor formatAPS-CAPS-C
Sensor typeCCDCMOS
Sensor dimensions23.6 × 15.8 mm23.5 × 15.6 mm
Effective resolution10.2 MP12.24 MP
Largest image3872 × 25924272 × 2848
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range100–1600100–3200
Sensor detail10.75 million total pixels; Image Dust Off reference data for software correction, without physical sensor cleaningExmor CMOS; 13.05 million total pixels; RGB primary-colour filter; anti-static coating and sensor-shift dust removal
Image formatsCompressed 12-bit NEF RAW, JPEG and RAW plus JPEGJPEG, RAW (Sony ARW 2.0), compressed cRAW and RAW/cRAW+JPEG; 3:2 or cropped 16:9 JPEGs; Sony’s launch table specifies RAW 4288 × 2856 separately from JPEG 4272 × 2848
ISO detailExpanded equivalents up to ISO 3200; Auto ISOISO 100–3200 in 1/3-stop steps, expandable to ISO 6400; Auto range configurable. Sony’s exact table differs from Photo Review’s ISO comparison table.
Image processorNikon high-resolution image-processing engineBIONZ with noise reduction in the RAW processing stage
Lens and shooting
Lens mountNikon F mountSony A-mount
StabilisationOptical lens stabilisationSensor shift
Maximum continuous burst3 fps5 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 Sony A-mount; compatible Sony, Minolta and Konica Minolta AF lenses; kit optics are separate from body specifications
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 with 11 points, centre dual-cross sensor and additional F2.8 precision sensor; single-shot, automatic and continuous AF, direct manual focus and manual focus; selectable Eye-Start AF; EV 0–18 detection at ISO 100; dedicated AF-assist lamp
Shutter1/4000 to 30 seconds, Bulb and Time; flash sync 1/200 secondElectronically controlled vertical-traverse focal-plane shutter; 30 seconds to 1/8000 second plus Bulb; flash sync 1/250 second with stabilisation off or 1/200 second with it on; Sony rates durability at approximately 100,000 cycles
Burst detailApproximately 3 fps; maker specifies six NEF frames and up to 100 Large Normal JPEG framesUp to 5 fps Hi or 3 fps Lo; Sony’s Japanese table claims 16 Extra Fine JPEGs, 18 RAW, 25 cRAW or 12 RAW/cRAW+JPEG frames; Standard/Fine JPEGs can continue to card capacity. Shooting conditions and card speed affect results; PhotographyBlog lists lower RAW/cRAW buffer counts.
Stabilisation detailOptical VR depends on the attached lens; no sensor-shift stabilisationSuper SteadyShot sensor shift; Sony claims approximately 2.5–4 stops depending on lens and shooting conditions; excludes Minolta AF Macro Zoom 3X–1X F1.7–2.8
FlashPop-up i-TTL flash, guide number approximately 13 at ISO 100 in metres; commander for two remote groups; ISO 518 hot shoeBuilt-in pop-up flash with guide number 12 in metres at ISO 100; ADI and pre-flash TTL control; PC sync terminal; compatible external flashes support wireless and high-speed sync
Exposure controlsP/S/A/M, auto and scene modes; 420-pixel RGB metering; ±5 EV compensationProgram, aperture priority, shutter priority and manual exposure; scene modes; 40-segment honeycomb, centre-weighted or spot metering; ±3 EV compensation in 1/2- or 1/3-stop steps; D-Range Optimizer, 14 Creative Styles, Quick Navi and three saved shooting setups
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderOpticalOptical
Screen size2.5″3″
Screen dots230,000921,600
Tilting screenNo–
Display detailFixed TFT with approximately 100% coverage and 170° viewing angle; dots count subpixelsFixed 3.0-inch Xtra Fine TFT LCD with anti-reflection coating; 921,600 dots count colour subpixels; shooting settings appear on the rear screen rather than a top status LCD
Viewfinder detailPentaprism, approximately 95% coverage and 0.94× magnification with 50mm f/1.4 at infinity; 19.5 mm eyepoint; selectable gridFixed eye-level pentaprism; approximately 95% coverage and 0.9× magnification with a 50 mm lens at infinity; Spherical Acute Matte focusing screen; optical depth-of-field preview
Connections and design
Battery life (maker's claim)600 photographs650 photographs
Body weight585 g690 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 China announced retail for the end of September 2007; month precision retained. Sony Japan’s revised press release gives 9 November 2007, moved forward from 16 November.
Recording mediaSD and SDHC cards; MMC unsupportedSeparate CompactFlash Type I/II (UDMA Mode 5) and Memory Stick Duo/PRO Duo/PRO-HG Duo slots; Microdrive support; recording medium selected by the user
PortsHi-Speed USB, analogue AV output, optional AC adapter input and MC-DC1 remote connection; optional ML-L3 infrared remoteUSB 2.0 Hi-Speed; HDMI Type C mini for still-image playback; NTSC/PAL video output; wired remote-release connector, flash sync and DC input; supplied software supports computer remote control
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-FM500H; Sony CIPA claim approximately 650 photographs with built-in flash used for half the shots; optional VG-C70AM grip holds two batteries. PhotographyBlog’s NP-FM55H reference is contradicted by Sony’s explicit incompatibility note.
ChargingExternal MH-18a charger; optional EH-5 AC adapterSupplied BC-VM10 external charger; optional AC-VQ900AM adaptor/charger
DimensionsApproximately 132 × 103 × 77 mmApproximately 141.7 × 104.8 × 79.7 mm (width × height × depth), excluding protrusions
Weight detailApproximately 585 g excluding battery, card, body cap and monitor coverApproximately 690 g without battery, memory card, lens or accessories; loaded weight not published in Sony’s table
Materials–Magnesium-alloy front and upper covers with aluminium internal chassis; seals around controls and card door reduce dust and moisture ingress, without guaranteeing waterproofing
Colours–Black
In the box–NP-FM500H battery, BC-VM10 charger and power cord, RMT-DSLR1 wireless remote, USB and video cables, shoulder strap, eyepiece cover and cup, body and shoe caps, software CD
Video
Video detailNo movie recording or live view, as confirmed by both reviewsStill-image DSLR without video recording or rear-screen live view (PhotographyBlog and Photo Review)

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