Sony a380 vs Nikon D80
This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a380 and Nikon D80. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Sony a380 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D80 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.
Sony a380 were released 2009 and Nikon D80 was released 2006. That is a 3 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Sony a380 | 2009 |
Nikon D80 | 2006 |
Type of camera
Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.
Sensors / crop factor
These cameras have different sensors. Sony a380 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D80 has a "Nikon DX"-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 a380 | 75 mm Sony APS-C sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5 |
Nikon D80 | 75 mm Nikon DX sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5 |
** 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 (Nikon)
Resolution
Sony a380 has a 14 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D80 has 10 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:
Camera | Megapixels |
Sony a380 |
14 MP
14033152 pixels 4592 x 3056 |
Nikon D80 |
10 MP
10036224 pixels 3872 x 2592 |
Sony a380 has a 40 % larger resolution than Nikon D80. 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
Both of these cameras offer the exact same ISO range. They both have 100 to 3200.
Camera | ISO Range |
Sony a380 | 100-3200 |
Nikon D80 | 100-3200 |
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 a380
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D80
Pictures per second
Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a380 can shoot up to 2,5 pictures per seconds and Nikon D80 can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Sony a380 | 2,5 |
Nikon D80 | 3 |
Ability to record movies
It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.
Though, neither Sony a380 or Nikon D80 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.
Nikon D80 weighs 668 gr (equal to 1.47 lb) which is 29% heavier than Sony a380 and its 519 gr (or 1.14 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Sony a380 | 519 gr 1.14 lb |
Nikon D80 | 668 gr 1.47 lb |
Sony a380 vs Nikon D80 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a380 and Nikon D80, 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 a380 |
Nikon D80 |
Name | Sony a380 | Nikon D80 |
Manufacturer | Sony | Nikon |
Release Date and Price |
Sony a380 |
Nikon D80 |
Release Year | 2009 | 2006 |
Release Date | 2009-05-18 | 2006-08-09 |
MSRP | 729 USD | 999 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Sony a380 |
Nikon D80 |
Camera Type | DSLR | DSLR |
Sensor |
Sony a380 |
Nikon D80 |
Sensor Size | APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) |
APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm) Also known as "DX" |
Sensor Type | CCD | CCD |
Resolution | 4592 x 3056 pixels | 3872 x 2592 pixels |
Megapixels | 14 MP | 10 MP |
Image Processor | Bionz | Nikon LSI (Large Scale Integration) |
Image |
Sony a380 |
Nikon D80 |
ISO Range | 100 - 3200 | 100 - 3200 |
White Balance Presets | 6 | 6 |
Custom White Balance | Yes | Yes |
Image Stabilization |
Yes (Sensor-Shift) |
Yes |
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating | 0 stops | 0 stops |
Uncompressed format | RAW | RAW |
Optics & Focus |
Sony a380 |
Nikon D80 |
Autofocus Motor | Yes | Yes |
Autofocus |
Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView |
Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous |
Focus Points | 9 | 11 |
Lens Mount |
Sony A See Compatible Lenses |
Nikon F 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 |
DX / APS-C (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 |
Screen & Viewfinder |
Sony a380 |
Nikon D80 |
Articulated LCD | Tilting | Fixed |
Screen size | 2.7” | 2,5” |
Screen dots | 230400 | 230000 |
Touch screen | No | No |
Screen type | N/A | N/A |
Live view | Yes | No |
Viewfinder Type | Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder Coverage | 95% | 95% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.74× (0.49× 35mm equiv.) | 0.95× (0.63× 35mm equiv.) |
Viewfinder Resolution | N/A | N/A |
Photography features |
Sony a380 |
Nikon D80 |
Frames per second | 2,5 fps | 3 fps |
Minimum Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Built-in Flash | Yes | Yes |
Built-in Flash Range | 10 meters | 13 meters |
External Flash | Yes | Yes |
Self-Timer | Yes | Yes |
Time-lapse | No | No |
Metering modes |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
Exposure Compensation | +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps) | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Sony a380 |
Nikon D80 |
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 a380 |
Nikon D80 |
Memory Card |
Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC |
SD/SDHC |
Connectivity |
Sony a380 |
Nikon D80 |
HDMI Output | Yes | No |
Microphone Port | No | No |
Headphone Port | No | No |
Wireless | No | No |
Remote Control | Yes (Wired or Wireless (Optional)) |
Yes (Optional (ML-L3 or MC-DC1))
|
GPS | No | No |
Body & Dimensions |
Sony a380 |
Nikon D80 |
Enviromentally sealed | No | No |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
Lithium-Ion NP-FH50 rechargeable battery & charger
|
Nikon EN-EL3e Lithium-Ion battery
|
Battery Life (CIPA) | 500 shots | 600 shots |
Width | 128 mm | 132 mm |
Height | 97 mm | 103 mm |
Depth | 71 mm | 77 mm |
Weight | 519 gram | 668 gram |