Sony a380 vs Nikon Z fc

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a380 and Nikon Z fc. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a380 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon Z fc is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony a380 were released 2009 and Nikon Z fc was released 2021. That is a 12 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a380 2009
Nikon Z fc 2021

Type of camera

Sony a380 is a DSLR camera while Nikon Z fc is a Mirrorless camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a380 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Nikon Z fc 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 Z fc 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 Z fc has 21 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 Z fc 21 MP
20668416 pixels
5568 x 3712

Nikon Z fc has a 47 % larger resolution than Sony a380. 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

Nikon Z fc has a larger ISO-range than Sony a380. Nikon Z fc has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Sony a380 has 100 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a380 100-3200
Nikon Z fc 100-51200

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 Z fc

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 Z fc can shoot up to 11 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a380 2,5
Nikon Z fc 11

Ability to record movies

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

It is only one of these two cameras that support recording movies and movie clips and that is Nikon Z fc. Sadly, the Sony a380 does not support this.

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.

Sony a380 weighs 519 gr (equal to 1.14 lb) which is 17% heavier than Nikon Z fc and its 445 gr (or 0.98 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a380 519 gr
1.14 lb
Nikon Z fc 445 gr
0.98 lb

Sony a380 vs Nikon Z fc Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a380 and Nikon Z fc, 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 Z fc
Name Sony a380 Nikon Z fc
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a380
Nikon Z fc
Release Year 2009 2021
Release Date 2009-05-18 2021-06-29
MSRP 729 USD 959 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a380
Nikon Z fc
Camera Type DSLR Mirrorless
Sensor
Sony a380
Nikon Z fc
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 CMOS
Resolution 4592 x 3056 pixels 5568 x 3712 pixels
Megapixels 14 MP 21 MP
Image Processor Bionz EXPEED 6
Image
Sony a380
Nikon Z fc
ISO Range 100 - 3200 100 - 51200
White Balance Presets 6 8
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 a380
Nikon Z fc
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 9 209
Lens Mount Sony A

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon Z

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 Z fc
Articulated LCD Tilting Fully articulated
Screen size 2.7” 3”
Screen dots 230400 1040000
Touch screen No Yes
Screen type N/A TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.74× (0.49× 35mm equiv.) 1.02× (0.68× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A 2360000
Photography features
Sony a380
Nikon Z fc
Frames per second 2,5 fps 11 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes No
Built-in Flash Range 10 meters N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a380
Nikon Z fc
Video recording No Yes
Video format N/A MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution N/A 1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone No Yes
Built-in Speakers No Yes
Storage
Sony a380
Nikon Z fc
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a380
Nikon Z fc
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No Yes
Built-in (802.11ac + Bluetooth)
Remote Control Yes (Wired or Wireless (Optional)) Yes (via smartphone)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a380
Nikon Z fc
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion NP-FH50 rechargeable battery & charger
EN-EL25 lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 500 shots 300 shots
Width 128 mm 135 mm
Height 97 mm 94 mm
Depth 71 mm 44 mm
Weight 519 gram 445 gram