Sony a380 vs Sony a100

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a380 and Sony a100. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Sony.

Sony a380 were released 2009 and Sony a100 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
Sony a100 2006

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Sony APS-C") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Neither of the cameras has a Full frame sensor which means that you will get a "crop factor" where the camera's sensor size affect the focal length with a multiplier.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Sony a380 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Sony a100 75 mm
Sony APS-C 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)

Resolution

Sony a380 has a 14 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Sony a100 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
Sony a100 10 MP
10036224 pixels
3872 x 2592

Sony a380 has a 40 % 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

Sony a380 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a100. Sony a380 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 3200 while Sony a100 has 100 to 1600.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a380 100-3200
Sony a100 100-1600

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 Sony a100

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 Sony a100 can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a380 2,5
Sony a100 3

Ability to record movies

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

Though, neither Sony a380 or Sony a100 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.

Sony a100 weighs 638 gr (equal to 1.41 lb) which is 23% heavier than Sony a380 and its 519 gr (or 1.14 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a380 519 gr
1.14 lb
Sony a100 638 gr
1.41 lb

Sony a380 vs Sony a100 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a380 and Sony a100, 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
Sony a100
Name Sony a380 Sony a100
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Release Date and Price
Sony a380
Sony a100
Release Year 2009 2006
Release Date 2009-05-18 2006-06-05
MSRP 729 USD 899 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a380
Sony a100
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Sony a380
Sony a100
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm)
Sensor Type CCD CCD
Resolution 4592 x 3056 pixels 3872 x 2592 pixels
Megapixels 14 MP 10 MP
Image Processor Bionz Bionz
Image
Sony a380
Sony a100
ISO Range 100 - 3200 100 - 1600
White Balance Presets 6 7
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a380
Sony a100
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 9
Lens Mount Sony A

See Compatible Lenses
Sony A

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 (1.5x)
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
Sony a100
Articulated LCD Tilting No
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 (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.74× (0.49× 35mm equiv.) 0.83× (0.55× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a380
Sony a100
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 N/A
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) +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a380
Sony a100
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
Sony a100
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Sony a380
Sony a100
HDMI Output Yes No
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No No
Remote Control Yes (Wired or Wireless (Optional)) Yes (Wire (Optional))
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a380
Sony a100
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion NP-FH50 rechargeable battery & charger
Lithium-Ion (NP-FM55H) & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 500 shots 750 shots
Width 128 mm 133 mm
Height 97 mm 95 mm
Depth 71 mm 71 mm
Weight 519 gram 638 gram