Sony a55 vs Sony a100

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a55 and Sony a100. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Sony.

Sony a55 were released 2010 and Sony a100 was released 2006. That is a 4 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a55 2010
Sony a100 2006

Type of camera

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 a55 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 a55 has a 16 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 a55 16 MP
16032768 pixels
4912 x 3264
Sony a100 10 MP
10036224 pixels
3872 x 2592

Sony a55 has a 60 % 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 a55 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a100. Sony a55 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 12800 while Sony a100 has 100 to 1600.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a55 100-12800
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 a55
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 a55 can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds and Sony a100 can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a55 10
Sony a100 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 Sony a100 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.

Sony a100 weighs 638 gr (equal to 1.41 lb) which is 28% heavier than Sony a55 and its 500 gr (or 1.1 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a55 500 gr
1.1 lb
Sony a100 638 gr
1.41 lb

Sony a55 vs Sony a100 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a55 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 a55
Sony a100
Name Sony a55 Sony a100
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Release Date and Price
Sony a55
Sony a100
Release Year 2010 2006
Release Date 2010-08-24 2006-06-05
MSRP 749 USD 899 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a55
Sony a100
Camera Type SLT DSLR
Sensor
Sony a55
Sony a100
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CCD
Resolution 4912 x 3264 pixels 3872 x 2592 pixels
Megapixels 16 MP 10 MP
Image Processor Bionz Bionz
Image
Sony a55
Sony a100
ISO Range 100 - 12800 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 a55
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 15 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 a55
Sony a100
Articulated LCD Fully articulated No
Screen size 3” 2.5”
Screen dots 921000 230000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A N/A
Live view Yes No
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 1.1× (0.73× 35mm equiv.) 0.83× (0.55× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a55
Sony a100
Frames per second 10 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 a55
Sony a100
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
Sony a100
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Sony a55
Sony a100
HDMI Output Yes No
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
No
Remote Control Yes (Optional) Yes (Wire (Optional))
GPS Yes
Built-in
No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a55
Sony a100
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Rechargeable NP-FW50 battery & charger
Lithium-Ion (NP-FM55H) & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 380 shots 750 shots
Width 124 mm 133 mm
Height 92 mm 95 mm
Depth 85 mm 71 mm
Weight 500 gram 638 gram