Sony a99 vs Nikon D7100
This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a99 and Nikon D7100. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Sony a99 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D7100 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.
Sony a99 were released 2012 and Nikon D7100 was released 2013. That is a 1 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Sony a99 | 2012 |
Nikon D7100 | 2013 |
Type of camera
Sensors / crop factor
These cameras have different sensors. Sony a99 has a "Sony Full Frame"-sensor while Nikon D7100 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 a99 | 50 mm Full-frame sensor No crop factor/focal length multiplier |
Nikon D7100 | 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
Both these cameras have the exact same resolution. Sony a99 has a 24 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D7100 has 24,1 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:
Camera | Megapixels |
Sony a99 |
24 MP
24000000 pixels 6000 x 4000 |
Nikon D7100 |
24,1 MP
24000000 pixels 6000 x 4000 |
ISO range
Sony a99 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D7100. Sony a99 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Nikon D7100 has 100 to 6400.
Camera | ISO Range |
Sony a99 | 100-25600 |
Nikon D7100 | 100-6400 |
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 a99
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D7100
Pictures per second
Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a99 can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds and Nikon D7100 can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Sony a99 | 6 |
Nikon D7100 | 6 |
Ability to record movies
It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.
In this case, both Sony a99 and Nikon D7100 can shoot movies.
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 a99 weighs 812 gr (equal to 1.79 lb) which is 20% heavier than Nikon D7100 and its 675 gr (or 1.49 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Sony a99 | 812 gr 1.79 lb |
Nikon D7100 | 675 gr 1.49 lb |
Sony a99 vs Nikon D7100 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a99 and Nikon D7100, 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 a99 |
Nikon D7100 |
Name | Sony a99 | Nikon D7100 |
Manufacturer | Sony | Nikon |
Release Date and Price |
Sony a99 |
Nikon D7100 |
Release Year | 2012 | 2013 |
Release Date | 2012-09-12 | 2013-02-21 |
MSRP | 2799 USD | 1199 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Sony a99 |
Nikon D7100 |
Camera Type | SLT | DSLR |
Sensor |
Sony a99 |
Nikon D7100 |
Sensor Size | Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) |
APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm) Also known as "DX" |
Sensor Type | CMOS | CMOS |
Resolution | 6000 x 4000 pixels | 6000 x 4000 pixels |
Megapixels | 24 MP | 24,1 MP |
Image Processor | Bionz | EXPEED 3 |
Image |
Sony a99 |
Nikon D7100 |
ISO Range | 100 - 25600 | 100 - 6400 |
White Balance Presets | 8 | 12 |
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 a99 |
Nikon D7100 |
Autofocus Motor | Yes | Yes |
Autofocus |
Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView |
Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Center Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView |
Focus Points | 19 | 51 |
Lens Mount |
Sony A See Compatible Lenses |
Nikon F See Compatible Lenses |
Focal Length Multiplier |
Full frame No multiplier Example: 24 mm remains 24 mm 50 mm remains 50 mm 100 mm remains 100 mm 200 mm remains 200 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 a99 |
Nikon D7100 |
Articulated LCD | Fully articulated | Fixed |
Screen size | 3” | 3,2” |
Screen dots | 1229000 | 1228800 |
Touch screen | No | No |
Screen type | TFT Xtra Fine color LCD | Wide Viewing Angle TFT-LCD monitor |
Live view | Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder Type | Electronic | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.71× | 0.94× |
Viewfinder Resolution | N/A | N/A |
Photography features |
Sony a99 |
Nikon D7100 |
Frames per second | 6 fps | 6 fps |
Minimum Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/8000 seconds |
Built-in Flash | No | Yes |
Built-in Flash Range | N/A | 12 meters |
External Flash | Yes | Yes |
Self-Timer | Yes | Yes |
Time-lapse | No | Yes |
Metering modes |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
Multi Center Weighted Spot Average |
Exposure Compensation | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Sony a99 |
Nikon D7100 |
Video recording | Yes | Yes |
Video format |
MPEG4 H.264 AVCHD |
MPEG4 H.264 |
Video resolution |
1440 x 1080 1920 x 1080 |
1280 x 720 1920 x 1080 |
Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
Built-in Speakers | Yes | Yes |
Storage |
Sony a99 |
Nikon D7100 |
Memory Card |
Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC |
SD/SDHC |
Connectivity |
Sony a99 |
Nikon D7100 |
HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
Microphone Port | No | Yes |
Headphone Port | No | Yes |
Wireless | No |
Yes Wireless WR-1 and WR-R10 |
Remote Control | Yes (Wired or Wireless (Optional)) |
Yes (Optional, wired MC-DC2 or wireless WR-1 and WR-R10 )
|
GPS |
Yes Built-in |
Yes Optional |
Body & Dimensions |
Sony a99 |
Nikon D7100 |
Enviromentally sealed | Yes | Yes |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
Lithium-Ion NP-FM500H rechargeable battery & charger
|
Lithium-Ion EN-EL15 rechargeable battery & charger
|
Battery Life (CIPA) | 500 shots | 950 shots |
Width | 147 mm | 136 mm |
Height | 111 mm | 107 mm |
Depth | 78 mm | 76 mm |
Weight | 812 gram | 675 gram |