Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 vs Sony Alpha DSLR-A100

      Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

      Specifications

      General Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 Sony Alpha DSLR-A100
      BrandSonySony
      ModelAlpha DSLR-A500Alpha DSLR-A100
      Predecessor ModelKonica Minolta Maxxum 5D
      Successor ModelSony Alpha DSLR-A560 Sony Alpha DSLR-A580
      Camera TypeInterchangeable LensInterchangeable Lens
      Body TypeDSLRDSLR
      Video Capture
      Sensor Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 Sony Alpha DSLR-A100
      Sensor TypeCMOSCCD
      Sensor SizeAPS-CAPS-C
      Sensor Dimensions23.5 x 15.6 mm23.6 x 15.8 mm
      Total Pixels12.9 Megapixel10.8 Megapixel
      Effective Pixels12.3 Megapixel10.2 Megapixel
      Low Pass Filter
      Native ISO Range200 - 12,800100 - 1,600
      Photo Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 Sony Alpha DSLR-A100
      ProcessorBIONZ
      Max Image Resolution4272 x 28483872 x 2592
      Other Resolutions4272 x 2400, 3104 x 2072, 3104 x 1744, 2128 x 1416, 2188 x 11923896 x 1936, 1920 x 1280
      Image Aspect Ratios3:2, 16:93:2
      Image File FormatJPEG, RAW
      JPEG Quality LevelsFine, StandardFine, Standard
      Timelapse Recording
      White BalanceAuto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash (with custom color temperature adjustments), White balance bracketing
      Focus Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 Sony Alpha DSLR-A100
      Autofocus ModesMulti-area
      Selective single-point
      Single
      Continuous
      Face Detection
      Live View
      Multi-area
      Selective single-point
      Single
      Continuous
      Lens ServoSingle-shot AF (Wide AF area, Spot AF area, Focus area selection), Direct Manual Focus, Continuous AF, Automatic AF, Manual focus
      Number of Focus Points99
      Touch-to-Focus
      Live View Autofocus
      Animal Eye Detection
      Vehicle Tracking Mode
      Insect Tracking Mode
      Contrast Detection for Autofocus
      Phase Detection for Autofocus
      Focusing ScreenSpherical Acute MatteSpherical Acute Matte
      Optics Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 Sony Alpha DSLR-A100
      Lens MountSony ASony A
      Crop Factor1.5x1.5x
      Image StabilizationSensor ShiftSensor Shift
      Digital Image Stabilization
      Screen Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 Sony Alpha DSLR-A100
      Screen TypeTiltingFixed
      Touch Screen
      Screen Size3.0"2.5"
      Screen Resolution230k dot230k dot
      Top LCD Screen
      Live View
      Live Composition
      Viewfinder Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 Sony Alpha DSLR-A100
      ViewfinderOptical (pentamirror)Optical (pentamirror)
      Viewfinder Coverage95%95%
      Viewfinder Magnification0.80x0.83x
      Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent)0.53x0.55x
      Diopter Adjustment-2.5 - +1.0
      Shutter Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 Sony Alpha DSLR-A100
      Shutter TypeElectronically controlled Vertical-traverse Focal-plane
      Min Shutter Speed30 sec30 sec
      Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain)1/4000 sec1/4000 sec
      Max Continuous Shooting5.0 fps3.0 fps
      Flash Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 Sony Alpha DSLR-A100
      Built-in Flash
      Flash ModesAuto
      On
      Off
      Red-Eye
      Slow Sync
      High Speed Sync
      Rear Curtain
      Fill-in
      Wireless
      Auto
      Fill-in
      Red-Eye reduction
      Slow Sync
      Off
      Flash Range12.00 m
      Max Flash Sync Speed1/160 sec1/160 sec
      External Flash Connectivity
      External Flash ConnectionProprietary Hot Shoe (compatible with Minolta and select Sony flashes)
      Wireless off camera flash (with Sony HVL-F56AM & F36AM Flash Units)
      Exposure Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 Sony Alpha DSLR-A100
      Exposure Metering ModesMulti
      Center-weighted
      Spot
      Exposure ModesAuto, Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, Full Manual (with EV indicator)
      Exposure Compensation±2 EV (1/3 EV increments)±2 EV (1/3 EV increments)
      Exposure Bracketing ±2 EV (3 shots at 1/3 EV increments) 0.3 EV or 0.7 EV increments, 3 frames
      DXO Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 Sony Alpha DSLR-A100
      DxO Low Light ISO772476
      DxO Color Depth21.822.0
      DxO Dynamic Range11.611.2
      DxO Overall Score6461
      Video Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 Sony Alpha DSLR-A100
      Internal Recording ModesNo
      Interval Recording
      Terminals Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 Sony Alpha DSLR-A100
      USB SpeedUSB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
      HDMI Output
      Built-in Microphone
      Microphone Input
      Headphone Output
      Flash Sync Port
      Connectivity Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 Sony Alpha DSLR-A100
      Built-in GPS
      Built-In Wi-Fi
      Built-In Bluetooth
      Remote Control Wired or wirelss (optional) Wire (Optional)
      Environmental Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 Sony Alpha DSLR-A100
      Environmental Sealing
      Operating Temperature32 - 104°F (0 - 40°C)
      Physical Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 Sony Alpha DSLR-A100
      Dimensions137 x 104 x 84 mm (5.39 x 4.09 x 3.31")133 x 95 x 71 mm (5.24 x 3.74 x 2.8")
      Weight (inc. batteries)630 g (1.39 lb / 22.22 oz)638 g (1.41 lb / 22.50 oz)
      Power and Storage Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 Sony Alpha DSLR-A100
      Battery PackNP-FM500HNP-FM55H
      Battery Life520 shots
      Internal Storage
      External StorageSingle Slot: SD/SDHC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG DuoSingle Slot: Compact Flash (Type I/II)
      Other Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 Sony Alpha DSLR-A100
      Self Timer 2 or 10 sec 2 or 10 sec
      Orientation Sensor


      For a full review please go to the review page:

      Amazon Affiliate Disclosure
      ZKelectronics is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon (.com, .co.uk, .ca, etc) and any other websites that may be affiliated with Amazon Service LLC Associates Program.