Sony Alpha 100 vs Sony Alpha 300 — 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 300
44
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Sony Alpha 300 is the newer stills tool of these two Sony Alpha DSLRs, arriving in 2008 two years after the Sony Alpha 100. Both are APS-C digital SLRs built around the same Sony Alpha DT lens mount, so either body takes the same range of Alpha DT lenses and can share a lens collection. Size and weight barely differ: the Alpha 100 measures 133 x 95 x 71 mm and weighs 638 g, against 131 x 99 x 75 mm and 632 g for the Alpha 300. | ||
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 30, 2008 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 133 x 95 x 71 mm | 131 x 99 x 75 mm |
| Camera weight | 638 g | 632 g |
| Optics | 46/100 | 49/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsLow-light shooting headroom is the Alpha 300's useful optics advantage: it offers a native ISO range reaching 3200, double the Alpha 100's 1600 ceiling. That gives you the option of faster shutter speeds for handheld evening street scenes or indoor events without immediately hitting the camera's top sensitivity setting. For cropping distant wildlife, resolution gives neither body an edge: the Alpha 300's 10.2 megapixels offer barely more room than the Alpha 100's 10. Both pair an APS-C CCD sensor with the same 1/4000 second top shutter speed, and both fit sensor-shift stabilisation that steadies any mounted lens. | ||
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 movies or offers a built-in timelapse mode. Both are stills-only DSLRs, so buyers wanting clips for family videos or social media need a different camera. | ||
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 | 34/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesLive view is the Alpha 300's clear practical advantage, letting you frame shots on the rear LCD when the optical viewfinder is awkward, such as holding the camera low for macro flowers or overhead at a crowd. The Alpha 100 has no live view and relies on its optical pentamirror finder alone. The Alpha 300 also has a slightly larger 2.7 inch LCD against the Alpha 100's 2.5 inch screen, which helps when reviewing focus. Both screens offer 230,000 dots and tilt, and both cameras include a built-in flash plus a hot shoe for an external flash. Neither has GPS, Wi-Fi 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. |
No |  Yes |
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 | 32/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryStorage is close to a match, with both cameras writing to a single Compact Flash slot. The Alpha 100 accepts both Type I and Type II cards, which is worth noting if you already own older Type II cards, while the Alpha 300 is specified for Compact Flash. The rated battery lives are nearly identical: 750 shots for the Alpha 100 against 730 for the Alpha 300. They use different packs, an NP-FM55H versus an NP-FM500H, so spares do not transfer between bodies. | ||
| 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 | 730 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Sony Alpha 300 if you shoot handheld in dim venues or want to compose on the screen: its 3200 ISO ceiling and live view suit evening events, indoor family pictures and overhead framing.
The Sony Alpha 100 remains a sound pick if you already hold Type II Compact Flash cards, which only it is specified to accept, and its battery rating is marginally higher. Otherwise both share the same lens mount and sensor format, so the Alpha 300's low-light and framing advantages make it the better fit for most photographers.