Sony a55 vs Nikon D70s

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a55 and Nikon D70s. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a55 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D70s is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony a55 were released 2010 and Nikon D70s was released 2005. That is a 5 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a55 2010
Nikon D70s 2005

Type of camera

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a55 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D70s 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 a55 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Nikon D70s 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 a55 has a 16 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D70s has 6 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a55 16 MP
16032768 pixels
4912 x 3264
Nikon D70s 6 MP
6016000 pixels
3008 x 2000

Sony a55 has a 167 % larger resolution than Nikon D70s. 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 a55 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D70s. Sony a55 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 12800 while Nikon D70s has 200 to 1600.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a55 100-12800
Nikon D70s 200-1600

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 a55
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D70s

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a55 can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds and Nikon D70s can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a55 10
Nikon D70s 3

Ability to record movies

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

When comparing these two cameras there is only one of them that can shoot movies and that is Sony a55. Unfortunately Nikon D70s does not support recording movies and movie clips.

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 D70s weighs 679 gr (equal to 1.5 lb) which is 36% heavier than Sony a55 and its 500 gr (or 1.1 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a55 500 gr
1.1 lb
Nikon D70s 679 gr
1.5 lb

Sony a55 vs Nikon D70s Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a55 and Nikon D70s, 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 a55
Nikon D70s
Name Sony a55 Nikon D70s
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a55
Nikon D70s
Release Year 2010 2005
Release Date 2010-08-24 2005-04-20
MSRP 749 USD 749 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a55
Nikon D70s
Camera Type SLT DSLR
Sensor
Sony a55
Nikon D70s
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 CMOS CCD
Resolution 4912 x 3264 pixels 3008 x 2000 pixels
Megapixels 16 MP 6 MP
Image Processor Bionz Nikon LSI (Large Scale Integration)
Image
Sony a55
Nikon D70s
ISO Range 100 - 12800 200 - 1600
White Balance Presets 6 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 a55
Nikon D70s
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 15 5
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 a55
Nikon D70s
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Fixed
Screen size 3” 2”
Screen dots 921000 130000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A N/A
Live view Yes No
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 1.1× (0.73× 35mm equiv.) 0.75× (0.5× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a55
Nikon D70s
Frames per second 10 fps 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 10 meters 11 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 a55
Nikon D70s
Video recording Yes No
Video format MPEG4
H.264
AVCHD
N/A
Video resolution 1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
N/A
Built-in Microphone Yes No
Built-in Speakers No No
Storage
Sony a55
Nikon D70s
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Sony a55
Nikon D70s
HDMI Output Yes No
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
No
Remote Control Yes (Optional) Yes (Optional (ML-L3 or MC-DC1))
GPS Yes
Built-in
No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a55
Nikon D70s
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Rechargeable NP-FW50 battery & charger
Nikon EN-EL3a Lithium-Ion & charger included
Battery Life (CIPA) 380 shots 400 shots
Width 124 mm 140 mm
Height 92 mm 111 mm
Depth 85 mm 78 mm
Weight 500 gram 679 gram