Sony Alpha 100 vs Sony Alpha 200 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Sony · DSLR · 10 MP · APS-C
Sony Alpha 100
37
SCORE
|
Sony · DSLR · 10.2 MP · APS-C
Sony Alpha 200
40
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Sony Alpha 100 and Sony Alpha 200 are both APS-C DSLRs built around the Sony Alpha DT lens mount, so either gives you the same native system of lenses. The Alpha 200 arrived in 2008, two years after the 2006 Alpha 100. Physically the two are close in size: the Alpha 200 measures 131 x 99 x 71 mm against 133 x 95 x 71 mm for the Alpha 100. The Alpha 200 is the lighter body at 572 g, a 66 g saving over the Alpha 100's 638 g. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2006 | 2008 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
June 5, 2006 | January 7, 2008 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 133 x 95 x 71 mm | 131 x 99 x 71 mm |
| Camera weight | 638 g | 572 g |
| Optics | 46/100 | 49/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Alpha 200 offers more flexibility in dim indoor light, because its native ISO range reaches 3200, double the Alpha 100's 1600 ceiling. That higher setting helps keep shutter speeds usable in evening interiors or candlelit rooms without raising the flash. Resolution is effectively a match for everyday printing and cropping: the Alpha 200 offers 10.2 MP against 10 MP for the Alpha 100, a difference of 0.2 MP. Both cameras pair the same CCD sensor with the Bionz processor. Both also include in-body stabilisation, which steadies handheld shots with any DT lens you attach. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
10 MP050 | 10.2 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. |
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. |
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. |
Sony Alpha DT | 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. |
Bionz | 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 | 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. |
16003003280000 | 32003003280000 |
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. |
90300 | 90300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | 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 (pentamirror) | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | ||
Read the Video ComparisonVideoNeither camera records video or offers a built-in timelapse mode, so this pair is strictly for stills photography. If you want even occasional movie clips alongside your photographs, you would need a different camera entirely. | ||
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 | 21/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Alpha 200 gives you a slightly larger screen for reviewing images and checking focus, at 2.7 inches against the Alpha 100's 2.5 inches. Both displays are LCDs with the same 230000-dot resolution, so the Alpha 200's advantage is a larger view rather than a sharper one, and neither screen is touch-sensitive. The other controls are shared. Both cameras offer a flip screen for angled shots plus a built-in flash and an external flash shoe, while neither has live view, wireless connectivity, GPS or weather sealing. | ||
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" | 2.7" |
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. |
 Yes | 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 | 35/100 | 35/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryBoth cameras carry the same 750-shot battery rating. The batteries themselves differ: the Alpha 100 uses an NP-FM55H pack while the Alpha 200 takes an NP-FM500H, so spares are not interchangeable between the two bodies. Both cameras take Compact Flash cards in a single slot, but the Alpha 100 supports both Type I and Type II cards, while the Alpha 200 is specified for Compact Flash alone. If you already own Type II cards, that difference favors the Alpha 100. | ||
| Memory card | Compact Flash (Type I or II) | Compact Flash |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | NP-FM55H | NP-FM500H |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
750 shots1505000 | 750 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
The Sony Alpha 200 is the better choice for most photographers deciding between these two. It is 66 g lighter for travel and long walks, its ISO 3200 setting doubles the sensitivity ceiling for dim interiors, and its 2.7-inch screen makes playback and focus checking easier, all in the same lens system.
Choose the Sony Alpha 100 if you specifically need its Compact Flash Type II card compatibility. Otherwise the Alpha 200's higher sensitivity ceiling, lighter body and larger screen make it the more capable camera for everyday shooting, from dim church interiors to handheld evening street scenes.