Nikon D100 vs Sony Alpha SLT-A58

      Nikon D100

      Sony Alpha SLT-A58
      52
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      68
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      Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Nikon D100 and the Sony Alpha SLT-A58, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

      Nikon D100 was introduced in July 2002 and Sony Alpha SLT-A58 was introduced in November 2013. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Nikon D100 Highlights

      • 6.1 MP APS-C CCD Sensor
      • 200 - 1,600 Native ISO
      • 1.8" 118k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
      • 3.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • Built-in Flash

      Sony Alpha SLT-A58 Highlights

      • 20.1 MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
      • 100 - 16,000 Native ISO
      • 15 Focus Points (15 Cross-type)
      • Image Stabilization
      • 2.7" 460k dot Tilting Screen
      • 1,440k dot Electronic Viewfinder
      • 8.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
      • 30 min Video Recording Limit
      • Built-in Flash
      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Nikon D100
      4. Advantage of Sony Alpha SLT-A58
      5. Common Strengths and Weaknesses
      6. Screen and Viewfinder
      7. Sensor
      8. Photography Features
      9. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
      10. Other Features
      11. Physical Parameters
      12. For Different Types of Photography
      13. Evaluations
      14. Specifications  

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Nikon D100 and Sony Alpha SLT-A58.

      PROS

      Nikon D100

      Sony Alpha SLT-A58

      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   Video Capture
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Light - 492 g (1.08 lb / 17.35 oz)

      CONS

      Nikon D100

      Sony Alpha SLT-A58

      •   No Video Capture
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 6.1 Megapixel
      •   200 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Small Screen - 1.8"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 118k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   Low USB Speed
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   3 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   Low Resolution Viewfinder - 1,440k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Nikon D100

      Sony Alpha SLT-A58

      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec
      •   Weight - 780 g (1.72 lb / 27.51 oz)
      •   Sensor Resolution - 20.1 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   16,000 Highest Native ISO
      •   15 Focus Points
      •   Tilting Screen
      •   Screen Size - 2.7"
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 8.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
      •   DxO Overall Score - 74
      •   Battery Life - 690 shots

      Advantage of Nikon D100

      Nikon D100
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon D100 over Sony Alpha SLT-A58.

      Nikon D100 vs Sony Alpha SLT-A58
      Contrast Detection for Autofocus vs
      Top LCD Screen vs
      Higher Flash Sync Speed 1/180 sec vs 1/160 sec

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Nikon D100.

      Nikon D200
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      APS-C

      10.2 MP

      Nikon D5200
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      APS-C

      24.1 MP

      Canon Rebel T5
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      APS-C

      18.0 MP

      Canon 5DS
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      Full Frame

      50.6 MP

      Sigma SD9
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      APS-C

      3 MP

      Leica M10
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      24 MP

      Sony a5000
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      APS-C

      20.1 MP

      Fujifilm GFX 50S II
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      Medium format

      51.4 MP

      Panasonic GF1
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      Micro Four Thirds

      12 MP

      Nikon Z30
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      APS-C

      20.9 MP

      Canon 70D
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      APS-C

      20.2 MP

      Nikon Z9
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      Full Frame

      45.7 MP

      Advantage of Sony Alpha SLT-A58

      Sony SLT-A58
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Sony Alpha SLT-A58 over Nikon D100.

      Nikon D100 vs Sony Alpha SLT-A58
      Video Capture vs
      Higher Sensor Resolution 6.1 Megapixel vs 20.1 Megapixel
      Lower Native ISO 200 vs 100
      Higher Native ISO 1,600 vs 16,000
      Max Image Resolution 3008 x 2000 vs 5456 x 3632
      Tracking Autofocus vs
      Face Detection vs
      Image Stabilization vs Sensor Shift
      Screen Type Fixed vs Tilting
      Larger Screen 1.8" vs 2.7"
      Higher Resolution Screen 118k dot vs 460k dot
      Live View vs
      Higher Viewfinder Coverage 95% vs 100%
      Higher Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent) 0.53x vs 0.65x
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 3.0 fps vs 8.0 fps
      Multi-Segment Metering vs
      Center Weighted Metering vs
      Spot Metering vs
      Higher USB Speed USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec) vs USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
      HDMI Output vs Mini Type C
      Built-in Microphone vs Stereo
      Microphone Input vs
      Lighter 780 g (1.72 lb / 27.51 oz) vs 492 g (1.08 lb / 17.35 oz)

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Sony Alpha SLT-A58.

      Sony SLT-A57
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      APS-C

      16.1 MP

      Sony SLT-A68
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      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Sony SLT-A37
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      APS-C

      16.1 MP

      Sony SLT-A35
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      APS-C

      16.2 MP

      Sony SLT-A55
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      APS-C

      16.2 MP

      Sony SLT-A65
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      APS-C

      24.3 MP

      Sony SLT-A77
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      APS-C

      24.3 MP

      Sony SLT-A33
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      APS-C

      14.2 MP

      Sony SLT-A99 II
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      Full Frame

      42.4 MP

      Sony SLT-A77 II
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      APS-C

      24.3 MP

      Sony SLT-A99
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      Full Frame

      24.3 MP

      Sony a9
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      Full Frame

      24.2 MP

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Nikon D100 Sony Alpha SLT-A58
        Live View Autofocus
        Built-in Flash
      WEAKNESSES Nikon D100 Sony Alpha SLT-A58
        Timelapse Recording
        Low Resolution Screen118k dot460k dot
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi Eye-Fi is possible
        No Built-In Bluetooth
        No Environmental Sealing

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Nikon D100 has a 1.8" Fixed screen with 118k dot resolution and Sony Alpha SLT-A58 has a 2.7" Tilting screen with 460k dot resolution. Tilting screen makes Sony Alpha SLT-A58 very useful for photography purposes but not so useful for video shooting.

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      Sony Alpha SLT-A58 with Tilting screen


      Viewfinder

      Nikon D100 has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinderSony Alpha SLT-A58 has a built-in Electronic viewfinder with 1,440k dot resolution. Nikon D100 has 95% coverage with 0.80x (0.53x 35mm equivalent) magnification and Sony Alpha SLT-A58 has 100% coverage with 0.97x (0.65x 35mm equivalent) magnification.

      Sensor

      Nikon D100 features a 6.1 megapixel APS-C CCD sensor with dimensions of 23.7 x 15.6 mm and a total area of 369.7 mm2. Its native ISO range is 200 - 1,600. Sony Alpha SLT-A58 features a 20.1 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 23.2 x 15.4 mm and a total area of 237.2 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 16,000 and expands to 100 - 25,600 in boosted mode.


      Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how different sensors compare with each other:

      Sensor size chart
      Sensor Dimensions Area Aspect Ratio Crop Factor
      Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
      Image cannot be displayedFull Frame36 x 24 mm864 mm23:21x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.6 x 15.6 mm368.2 mm23:21.5x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
      Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.4 x 13 mm226.2 mm24:32x
      Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

      Photography Features

      Nikon D100 can take pictures up to 3008 x 2000 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 2240 x 1488, 1504 x 1000 with 3:2 aspect ratios. Sony Alpha SLT-A58 can take pictures up to 5456 x 3632 resolution.


      Lens Mount

      Nikon D100 has Nikon F lens mount and Sony Alpha SLT-A58 has Sony A lens mount. Due to their APS-C sensor their crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is equal to 1.5x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.5.


      In-Body Image Stabilization on Sony Alpha SLT-A58

      Sony Alpha SLT-A58 has a built-in Sensor Shift in-body image stabilization (IBIS). This means that you are still getting vibration reduction when camera is paired with non-image stabilizied lenses. It also works with lenses with optical image stabilization and in combination can achieve even better compensation.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

      Both models have USB inputs for data transfer. connector for video signal output.


      Battery

      Sony Alpha SLT-A58 comes with NP-FM500H battery pack with battery life of 690 shots.


      External Storage Slots

      Nikon D100 has a single CompactFlash (Type I/II, compliant with UDMA), MicroDrive card slot. Sony Alpha SLT-A58 has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Nikon D100 has Electronic assist shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Nikon D100, and up to 1/4000 sec on Sony Alpha SLT-A58. Nikon D100 can shoot continuously up to 3.0 fps. Sony Alpha SLT-A58 can shoot continuously up to 8.0 fps.


      Flash

      Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 11.00 m at ISO 100 on Nikon D100 and 10.00 m (@ ISO 100) on Sony Alpha SLT-A58. They also accept external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe to Sony Alpha SLT-A58. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/180 sec on Nikon D100 and 1/160 sec on Sony Alpha SLT-A58.

      Physical Parameters

      Nikon D100 body has dimensions of 144 x 116 x 81 mm (5.67 x 4.57 x 3.19") and Sony Alpha SLT-A58 body has dimensions of 129 x 95 x 78 mm (5.08 x 3.74 x 3.07"). Nikon D100 weighs 780 g (1.72 lb / 27.51 oz) and Sony Alpha SLT-A58 weighs 492 g (1.08 lb / 17.35 oz).

      Nikon D100

      Sony Alpha SLT-A58

      144 mm

      116 mm

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      129 mm

      95 mm

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      116 mm

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      95 mm

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      81 mm

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      78 mm

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      Size comparisons of Nikon D100 and Sony Alpha SLT-A58

      Nikon D100 and Sony Alpha SLT-A58 for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Nikon D100

      Sony Alpha SLT-A58

      AVERAGE
      56
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 118k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      GOOD
      70
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Nikon D100

      Sony Alpha SLT-A58

      POOR
      50
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 118k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      GOOD
      71
      •   16,000 Highest Native ISO
      •   15 Focus Points
      •   3 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   Low Resolution Viewfinder - 1,440k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 8.0 fps
      •   Battery Life - 690 shots

      Wildlife Photography

      Nikon D100

      Sony Alpha SLT-A58

      POOR
      49
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 118k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      AVERAGE
      64
      •   16,000 Highest Native ISO
      •   15 Focus Points
      •   3 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   Low Resolution Viewfinder - 1,440k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 8.0 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Battery Life - 690 shots

      Portrait Photography

      Nikon D100

      Sony Alpha SLT-A58

      AVERAGE
      66
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Small Screen - 1.8"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 118k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec
      GOOD
      80
      •   15 Focus Points
      •   3 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 2.7"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec

      Street Photography

      Nikon D100

      Sony Alpha SLT-A58

      GOOD
      73
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 118k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 780 g (1.72 lb / 27.51 oz)
      GOOD
      83
      •   15 Focus Points
      •   3 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Tilting Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 492 g (1.08 lb / 17.35 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Nikon D100

      Sony Alpha SLT-A58

      GOOD
      73
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 118k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 780 g (1.72 lb / 27.51 oz)
      GOOD
      81
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Tilting Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 492 g (1.08 lb / 17.35 oz)
      •   Battery Life - 690 shots

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Nikon D100 and Sony Alpha SLT-A58 and give them scores of 52 and 68 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


      Nikon D100

      Sony Alpha SLT-A58

      OVERALL
      52
      OVERALL
      68

      Sensor

      Nikon D100

      Sony Alpha SLT-A58

      AVERAGE
      59
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 6.1 Megapixel
      •   200 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      AVERAGE
      68
      •   Sensor Resolution - 20.1 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   16,000 Highest Native ISO
      •   DxO Overall Score - 74

      Photo

      Nikon D100

      Sony Alpha SLT-A58

      POOR
      51
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec
      GOOD
      72
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 8.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec

      Video

      Nikon D100

      Sony Alpha SLT-A58

      BAD
      0
      •   No Image Stabilization
      POOR
      45
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit

      Focusing

      Nikon D100

      Sony Alpha SLT-A58

      GOOD
      84
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      GOOD
      73
      •   15 Focus Points
      •   3 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Nikon D100

      Sony Alpha SLT-A58

      AVERAGE
      64
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Small Screen - 1.8"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 118k dot
      GOOD
      70
      •   Tilting Screen
      •   Screen Size - 2.7"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   Low Resolution Viewfinder - 1,440k dot

      Connectivity

      Nikon D100

      Sony Alpha SLT-A58

      BAD
      33
      •   Low USB Speed
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      GOOD
      78
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Nikon D100

      Sony Alpha SLT-A58

      BAD
      39
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 780 g (1.72 lb / 27.51 oz)
      POOR
      45
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 492 g (1.08 lb / 17.35 oz)
      •   Battery Life - 690 shots


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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