Canon EOS 30D vs Sony Alpha 100 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · DSLR · 8.2 MP · APS-C
Canon EOS 30D
33
SCORE
|
Sony · DSLR · 10 MP · APS-C
Sony Alpha 100
37
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS 30D and the Sony Alpha 100 are both APS-C DSLRs released in 2006. The Canon uses the Canon EF-S lens mount, while the Sony takes Sony Alpha DT lenses, so your lens plans matter more than the shared body style. The Sony Alpha 100 is the smaller and lighter body, at 133 x 95 x 71 mm and 638 g against 144 x 106 x 74 mm and 784 g for the Canon, a 146 g saving. Those dimensions make the Sony the more compact camera to pack for travel. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2006 | 2006 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
February 21, 2006 | June 5, 2006 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 144 x 106 x 74 mm | 133 x 95 x 71 mm |
| Camera weight | 784 g | 638 g |
| Optics | 41/100 | 46/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Sony Alpha 100 gives you more pixels to work with, at 10 MP against 8.2 MP for the EOS 30D, which helps when you crop distant wildlife or print larger. It also offers in-body stabilisation, so every lens you mount gains steadier handheld shooting in dim interiors or at slow shutter speeds. The Canon is the stronger tool for moving subjects and bright light, shooting at 5 fps against the Sony's 3 fps. It reaches ISO 3200 versus 1600 and offers a 1/8000 second top speed instead of 1/4000 for freezing sport with wide apertures. The two share a base ISO of 100 and nine autofocus points. Canon pairs a CMOS sensor with a pentaprism viewfinder, and Sony uses a CCD sensor with a pentamirror finder. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
8.2 MP050 | 10 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
3504 x 2336 | 3872 x 2592 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
15 x 22.5 | 16 x 24 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
5 fps045 | 3 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Canon EF-S | Sony Alpha DT |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Digic II | Bionz |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
32003003280000 | 16003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
32003003280000 | 16003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
800080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
90300 | 90300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
No |  Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | ||
Read the Video ComparisonVideoNeither camera records video or built-in timelapse sequences, so both are purely stills bodies. Anyone who wants occasional clip capture alongside stills will need a separate device. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
N/A | N/A |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
N/A | N/A |
| Features | 17/100 | 17/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Sony's LCD screen tilts, so you can frame from the hip or hold the camera overhead in crowds, while the Canon's screen is fixed in place. Both display images on a 2.5-inch LCD with 230,000 dots, and both support an external flash alongside the built-in unit. Neither body offers GPS for geotagging travel shots, Wi-Fi for wireless transfer, live view, touch control or weather sealing. Workflow between the two is essentially the same card-and-cable routine. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 2.5" | 2.5" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
2300001150001500000 | 2300001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
No |  Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
✗ | ✗ |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 24/100 | 35/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe Sony Alpha 100 is rated for considerably more shooting per charge, at 750 shots against 400 for the Canon under their respective test conditions. Neither body charges over USB, so both need their dedicated chargers, the BP-511A for Canon and the NP-FM55H for Sony. Both record to a single CompactFlash Type I or II card, so your card choice carries over between them. Neither offers a second slot for backup or overflow. | ||
| Memory card | Compact Flash (Type I or II) | Compact Flash (Type I or II) |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | BP-511A | NP-FM55H |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
400 shots1505000 | 750 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Canon EOS 30D if you photograph action: its 5 fps burst, 1/8000 second shutter and ISO 3200 ceiling serve sports, birds in flight and bright outdoor work better than the Sony's 3 fps and 1/4000 second limit.
Choose the Sony Alpha 100 for handheld and travel photography. Its in-body stabilisation steadies every lens you mount, the extra resolution gives cropping room for distant subjects, and the tilting screen helps odd-angle framing. Since the EF-S and Alpha DT mounts are incompatible, pick the brand whose lens system you want to build on first.