Sony a100 vs Canon EOS 50D

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a100 and Canon EOS 50D. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a100 is manufacturered by Sony but Canon EOS 50D is from Canon. Both Sony and Canon are well known brands though.

Sony a100 were released 2006 and Canon EOS 50D was released 2008. That is a 2 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a100 2006
Canon EOS 50D 2008

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a100 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Canon EOS 50D has a "Canon APS-C"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Sony a100 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Canon EOS 50D 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Sony)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Sony a100 has a 10 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 50D has 15,1 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a100 10 MP
10036224 pixels
3872 x 2592
Canon EOS 50D 15,1 MP
15054336 pixels
4752 x 3168

Canon EOS 50D has a 50 % larger resolution than Sony a100. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Canon EOS 50D has a larger ISO-range than Sony a100. Canon EOS 50D has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 12800 while Sony a100 has 100 to 1600.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a100 100-1600
Canon EOS 50D 100-12800

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a100
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 50D

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a100 can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 50D can shoot up to 6,3 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a100 3
Canon EOS 50D 6,3

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

Though, neither Sony a100 or Canon EOS 50D can shoot movies so if that is a functionality that you are really looking for you should look elsewhere.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Canon EOS 50D weighs 822 gr (equal to 1.81 lb) which is 29% heavier than Sony a100 and its 638 gr (or 1.41 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a100 638 gr
1.41 lb
Canon EOS 50D 822 gr
1.81 lb

Sony a100 vs Canon EOS 50D Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a100 and Canon EOS 50D, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Sony a100
Canon EOS 50D
Name Sony a100 Canon EOS 50D
Manufacturer Sony Canon
Release Date and Price
Sony a100
Canon EOS 50D
Release Year 2006 2008
Release Date 2006-06-05 2008-08-26
MSRP 899 USD 1399 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a100
Canon EOS 50D
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Sony a100
Canon EOS 50D
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm)
Sensor Type CCD CMOS
Resolution 3872 x 2592 pixels 4752 x 3168 pixels
Megapixels 10 MP 15,1 MP
Image Processor Bionz DIGIC 4
Image
Sony a100
Canon EOS 50D
ISO Range 100 - 1600 100 - 12800
White Balance Presets 7 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a100
Canon EOS 50D
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 9 9
Lens Mount Sony A

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF
Canon EF-S

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-C Sensor (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
APS-C Sensor
1.6x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 38 mm
50 mm becomes 80 mm
100 mm becomes 160 mm
200 mm becomes 320 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Sony a100
Canon EOS 50D
Articulated LCD No Fixed
Screen size 2.5” 3”
Screen dots 230000 920000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A TFT liquid-crystal color LCD
Live view No Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.83× (0.55× 35mm equiv.) 0.95× (0.59× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a100
Canon EOS 50D
Frames per second 3 fps 6,3 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range N/A 13 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a100
Canon EOS 50D
Video recording No No
Video format N/A N/A
Video resolution N/A N/A
Built-in Microphone No No
Built-in Speakers No No
Storage
Sony a100
Canon EOS 50D
Memory Card Compact Flash
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Sony a100
Canon EOS 50D
HDMI Output No Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No No
Remote Control Yes (Wire (Optional)) Yes (N3 connector)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a100
Canon EOS 50D
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion (NP-FM55H) & charger
Lithium-Ion BP-511A rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 750 shots 800 shots
Width 133 mm 146 mm
Height 95 mm 108 mm
Depth 71 mm 74 mm
Weight 638 gram 822 gram