Sony a58 vs Nikon D1

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a58 and Nikon D1. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a58 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D1 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony a58 were released 2013 and Nikon D1 was released 1999. That is a 14 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a58 2013
Nikon D1 1999

Type of camera

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a58 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D1 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 a58 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Nikon D1 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 a58 has a 20 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D1 has 2,7 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a58 20 MP
19816192 pixels
5456 x 3632
Nikon D1 2,7 MP
2624000 pixels
2000 x 1312

Sony a58 has a 655 % larger resolution than Nikon D1. 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 a58 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D1. Sony a58 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 16000 while Nikon D1 has 200 to 1600.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a58 100-16000
Nikon D1 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 a58
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D1

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a58 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds and Nikon D1 can shoot up to 4,5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a58 5
Nikon D1 4,5

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 a58. Unfortunately Nikon D1 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 D1 weighs 1200 gr (equal to 2.65 lb) which is 144% heavier than Sony a58 and its 492 gr (or 1.08 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a58 492 gr
1.08 lb
Nikon D1 1200 gr
2.65 lb

Sony a58 vs Nikon D1 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a58 and Nikon D1, 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 a58
Nikon D1
Name Sony a58 Nikon D1
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a58
Nikon D1
Release Year 2013 1999
Release Date 2013-02-20 1999-06-15
MSRP 599 USD 4999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a58
Nikon D1
Camera Type SLT DSLR
Sensor
Sony a58
Nikon D1
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 5456 x 3632 pixels 2000 x 1312 pixels
Megapixels 20 MP 2,7 MP
Image Processor Bionz Nikon LSI (Large Scale Integration)
Image
Sony a58
Nikon D1
ISO Range 100 - 16000 200 - 1600
White Balance Presets 9 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Optical SteadyShot INSIDE)
No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a58
Nikon D1
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
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 a58
Nikon D1
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Fixed
Screen size 2.7” 2”
Screen dots 460000 130000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A N/A
Live view Yes No
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 96%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a58
Nikon D1
Frames per second 5 fps 4,5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/16000 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 No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation N/A +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a58
Nikon D1
Video recording Yes No
Video format MPEG4
H.264
AVCHD
N/A
Video resolution 1920 x 1080
N/A
Built-in Microphone Yes No
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Sony a58
Nikon D1
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Sony a58
Nikon D1
HDMI Output Yes No
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
No
Remote Control Yes (Optional) Supported
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a58
Nikon D1
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Rechargeable NP-FM500H battery & charger
Rechargeable EN-4 Ni-MH battery
Battery Life (CIPA) 690 shots N/A
Width 129 mm 157 mm
Height 95 mm 153 mm
Depth 78 mm 85 mm
Weight 492 gram 1200 gram