Nikon D2Xs vs Sony Alpha 700 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Nikon · DSLR · 12.2 MP · APS-C
Nikon D2Xs
36
SCORE
|
Sony · DSLR · 12.2 MP · APS-C
Sony Alpha 700
46
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon D2Xs and Sony Alpha 700 are both DSLRs from the mid-2000s, but they take clearly different approaches to size. The D2Xs from 2006 is the larger body, measuring 158 x 150 x 86 mm and weighing 1200 g. The Alpha 700 from 2007 is smaller and lighter at 142 x 105 x 80 mm and 768 g, which is 432 g less to carry on a full day out. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2006 | 2007 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
June 1, 2006 | September 6, 2007 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 158 x 150 x 86 mm | 142 x 105 x 80 mm |
| Camera weight | 1200 g | 768 g |
| Optics | 43/100 | 51/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsFor fast action the D2Xs is the stronger pick, shooting at 8 fps against 5 fps from the Alpha 700. That gap matters for sports and wildlife, where the frame between two strides often decides the keeper. Its 11 autofocus points against 9 also place more focus options off centre for tracking. Resolution is shared, so neither gives extra room to crop a distant subject: both record 12.2 megapixel files on APS-C sensors. The Alpha 700 counters with in-body stabilisation, steadying handheld shots with any mounted lens, and its native ISO range reaches 3200 against 800, expandable to 6400 versus 3200. Both use optical pentaprism viewfinders, start at 100 ISO, and offer a 1/8000 second top shutter speed. The lens mounts differ, with Nikon F DX on the D2Xs and Sony Alpha DT on the Alpha 700. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
12.2 MP050 | 12.2 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4288 x 2848 | 4272 x 2848 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
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. |
16 x 24 | 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. |
8 fps045 | 5 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. |
Nikon F DX | 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. |
Nikon Image processing engine | 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. |
8003003280000 | 32003003280000 |
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 | 64003003280000 |
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 | 800080032000 |
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. |
110300 | 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 (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | ||
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe D2Xs offers the only motion capability in this pair, a built-in intervalometer that captures frame sequences you can assemble into a timelapse later. The Alpha 700 has no such function, so that work needs an external timer. Neither camera records video, so both bodies are stills-only tools. | ||
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. |
 Yes | No |
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 | 28/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Alpha 700 is much better for reviewing work and framing from awkward angles. Its 3 inch LCD offers 920,000 dots against 235,000 on the 2.5 inch D2Xs screen, and it flips out for waist-level or overhead shots. The Alpha 700 also has a built-in flash for fill light without carrying a flashgun, while the D2Xs requires an external unit. External flash is supported on both, and neither has GPS, Wi-Fi, live view or a touchscreen. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
No |  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" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
2350001150001500000 | 9200001150001500000 |
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 | 51/100 | 65/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryFor long shooting days, the D2Xs is the clear choice, with its EN-EL4a battery rated for 2000 shots per charge against 650 for the Alpha 700 NP-FM500H. The Alpha 700 answers with two card slots, taking CompactFlash plus Memory Stick Duo, while the D2Xs has a single CompactFlash slot. That second slot means a spare card is already loaded when the first fills. Neither camera charges over USB. | ||
| Memory card | Compact Flash (Type I or II) | Compact Flash (Type I or II), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | No |  Yes |
| Battery type | EN-EL4a | NP-FM500H |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
2000 shots1505000 | 650 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Pick the D2Xs for sports, wildlife and all-day event coverage, where its 8 fps burst, 11 autofocus points and 2000-shot battery rating suit the work. Pick the Alpha 700 for travel and handheld photography in dim interiors, where its 768 g weight, in-body stabilisation, 3200 ISO native ceiling, flip screen and built-in flash fit the job better.
Nikon F DX and Sony Alpha DT lenses do not fit the other body, so any glass you already own should steer the final call.