Nikon D80 vs Sony Alpha 100 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Nikon · DSLR · 10 MP · APS-C
Nikon D80
34
SCORE
|
Sony · DSLR · 10 MP · APS-C
Sony Alpha 100
37
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon D80 and the Sony Alpha 100 are both APS-C DSLRs from 2006, aimed at photographers stepping up to an interchangeable-lens digital body. Each pairs a 10 megapixel CCD sensor with a 3 fps continuous drive and a 1/4000 second maximum shutter, so those core stills specifications match. A difference in body measurements favours the Alpha 100 for smaller kit bags: it measures 133 x 95 x 71 mm and weighs 638 g, against 132 x 103 x 77 mm and 668 g for the D80. The Sony was announced in June 2006, with the Nikon following in August of that year. | ||
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. |
August 9, 2006 | June 5, 2006 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 132 x 103 x 77 mm | 133 x 95 x 71 mm |
| Camera weight | 668 g | 638 g |
| Optics | 39/100 | 46/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Sony Alpha 100 is the better pick for handheld shooting in dim light, because it offers in-body sensor-shift stabilisation that works with every mounted lens. The D80 has no stabilisation in the body, so steady handheld results there depend on the lens used. The D80 answers with advantages of its own. Its 11 autofocus points give two more placements for off-centre subjects than the Alpha 100's 9, and its pentaprism viewfinder delivers a brighter viewing image than the Sony's pentamirror design. The Nikon also offers an expanded ISO 3200 setting, above the Sony's expanded ceiling of ISO 1600, giving more scope for very dark scenes. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
10 MP050 | 10 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
3872 x 2592 | 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. |
CCD | 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. |
15.8 x 23.6 | 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. |
3 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. |
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. |
16003003280000 | 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. |
400080032000 | 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. |
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 (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | ||
Read the Video ComparisonVideoNeither camera records video, so any movie requirement sends this comparison elsewhere. Both also omit a built-in timelapse mode. Photographers who shoot clips alongside stills will need a different body from either of these 2006 DSLRs. | ||
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 Alpha 100's screen flips out from the body, which helps when framing shots overhead or at waist level without contorting into position. The D80's screen is fixed, but it supports Wi-Fi, allowing wireless image transfer that the Sony does not offer. Their display and flash provisions are shared. Both use a 2.5 inch LCD with 230,000 dots, and both offer a built-in flash plus support for external flash units. Neither camera has GPS, so geotagging requires third-party methods on either body. | ||
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. |
 Yes | No |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 53/100 | 35/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe D80's EN-EL3e battery is rated for 2700 shots, against 750 shots for the Alpha 100's NP-FM55H, a substantial gap in the supplied battery ratings. Storage formats differ, which matters for anyone with existing cards. The D80 takes SD and SDHC cards, while the Alpha 100 takes CompactFlash Type I or II. Both have a single card slot, and neither supports charging over USB. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC | Compact Flash (Type I or II) |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | EN-EL3e | NP-FM55H |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
2700 shots1505000 | 750 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Sony Alpha 100 if handheld work in low light dominates your photography, since its in-body stabilisation steadies every lens you mount, and its flipping screen eases awkward-angle framing.
Choose the Nikon D80 for action, event and travel photography. Its 2700-shot battery rating, 11-point autofocus array, brighter pentaprism viewfinder and expanded ISO 3200 all support demanding stills work, and Wi-Fi transfer plus SD card storage round out the practical case.