Sony a100 vs Canon EOS 5D
This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a100 and Canon EOS 5D. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Sony a100 is manufacturered by Sony but Canon EOS 5D is from Canon. Both Sony and Canon are well known brands though.
Sony a100 were released 2006 and Canon EOS 5D was released 2005. That is a 1 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Sony a100 | 2006 |
Canon EOS 5D | 2005 |
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 5D has a "Canon Full Frame"-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 5D | 50 mm Full-frame sensor No crop factor/focal length multiplier |
** 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 5D has 12,7 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 5D |
12,7 MP
12719616 pixels 4368 x 2912 |
Canon EOS 5D has a 27 % 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 5D has a larger ISO-range than Sony a100. Canon EOS 5D has an ISO range that stretches from 50 to 3200 while Sony a100 has 100 to 1600.
Camera | ISO Range |
Sony a100 | 100-1600 |
Canon EOS 5D | 50-3200 |
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 5D
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 5D can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Sony a100 | 3 |
Canon EOS 5D | 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 5D 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 5D weighs 895 gr (equal to 1.97 lb) which is 40% heavier than Sony a100 and its 638 gr (or 1.41 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Sony a100 | 638 gr 1.41 lb |
Canon EOS 5D | 895 gr 1.97 lb |
Sony a100 vs Canon EOS 5D Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a100 and Canon EOS 5D, 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 5D |
Name | Sony a100 | Canon EOS 5D |
Manufacturer | Sony | Canon |
Release Date and Price |
Sony a100 |
Canon EOS 5D |
Release Year | 2006 | 2005 |
Release Date | 2006-06-05 | 2005-08-22 |
MSRP | 899 USD | 3299 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Sony a100 |
Canon EOS 5D |
Camera Type | DSLR | DSLR |
Sensor |
Sony a100 |
Canon EOS 5D |
Sensor Size | APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) | Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) |
Sensor Type | CCD | CMOS |
Resolution | 3872 x 2592 pixels | 4368 x 2912 pixels |
Megapixels | 10 MP | 12,7 MP |
Image Processor | Bionz | DIGIC 2 |
Image |
Sony a100 |
Canon EOS 5D |
ISO Range | 100 - 1600 | 50 - 3200 |
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 5D |
Autofocus Motor | Yes | Yes |
Autofocus |
Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous |
Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous |
Focus Points | 9 | 9 |
Lens Mount |
Sony A See Compatible Lenses |
Canon EF 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 |
Full frame No multiplier Example: 24 mm remains 24 mm 50 mm remains 50 mm 100 mm remains 100 mm 200 mm remains 200 mm |
Screen & Viewfinder |
Sony a100 |
Canon EOS 5D |
Articulated LCD | No | Fixed |
Screen size | 2.5” | 2,5” |
Screen dots | 230000 | 230000 |
Touch screen | No | No |
Screen type | N/A | TFT liquid-crystal color LCD |
Live view | No | No |
Viewfinder Type | Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder Coverage | 95% | 96% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.83× (0.55× 35mm equiv.) | 0.71× |
Viewfinder Resolution | N/A | N/A |
Photography features |
Sony a100 |
Canon EOS 5D |
Frames per second | 3 fps | 3 fps |
Minimum Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/8000 seconds |
Built-in Flash | Yes | No |
Built-in Flash Range | N/A | N/A |
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 5D |
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 5D |
Memory Card |
Compact Flash |
Compact Flash |
Connectivity |
Sony a100 |
Canon EOS 5D |
HDMI Output | No | No |
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 5D |
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 | 400 shots |
Width | 133 mm | 152 mm |
Height | 95 mm | 113 mm |
Depth | 71 mm | 75 mm |
Weight | 638 gram | 895 gram |