• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 10.3 megapixels
  • 26.00mm - 678.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800

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Differences

Nikon P100 advantages over Sony DSLR-A580

  • Less expensive
    $400 vs $900 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Lighter weight
    486g vs 694g
    Lighter weight
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.17 vs 0.29 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 7.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Sony DSLR-A580 advantages over Nikon P100

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.82 vs 1.69 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Fast startup
    ~0.80 vs 2.3 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1050 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    16.2 vs 10.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 8 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    32 vs 6 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Nikon P90

Nikon P100
Nikon P90
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Manual focus
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More pixels
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
Sony DSLR-A580
Nikon P90
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Lighter weight

Compared to Pentax X90

Nikon P100
Pentax X90
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Manual focus
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More pixels
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
Sony DSLR-A580
Pentax X90
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Lighter weight

Compared to Sony A33

Nikon P100
Sony A33
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Sony DSLR-A580
Sony A33
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • External Mic Jack

Compared to Sony A35

Nikon P100
Sony A35
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $567
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Sony DSLR-A580
Sony A35
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $567
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • External Mic Jack

Compared to Panasonic FZ47

Nikon P100
Panasonic FZ47
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Less shutter lag
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More pixels
Sony DSLR-A580
Panasonic FZ47
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Higher max flash sync
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