Sony DSLR-A380 vs Nikon D3100

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Sony DSLR-A380 vs Nikon D3100

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APS-C 369.7mm²
14.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 3200

Go in depth with our full Sony DSLR-A380 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the DSLR-A380.

APS-C 355.7mm²
14.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 3200

Go in depth with our full Nikon D3100 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the D3100.

Succeeded by the Nikon D3200
Compare D3100 vs D3200
Compare Sony DSLR-A380 vs Nikon D3200

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Differences

Sony DSLR-A380 advantages over Nikon D3100

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Less shutter lag
0.20 vs 0.28 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 100 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Nikon D3100 advantages over Sony DSLR-A380

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Less expensive
$700 vs $849 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Fast startup
~0.40 vs 0.6 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
D3100 test data on DxO Mark DSLR-A380 test data on DxO Mark

919 vs 614 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
More viewfinder magnification
0.53x vs 0.49x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Faster JPEG shooting
2.9 fps vs 1.7 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
12800 vs 3200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Pentaprism viewfinder
Neither provide
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

Read our Sony DSLR-A380 Review

Read our Nikon D3100 Full Review

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K20D

Sony DSLR-A380

Pentax K20D

$849
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
HDMI out

$800
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony DSLR-A380 vs Pentax K20D

Nikon D3100

Pentax K20D

$700
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
HDMI out

$800
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Top deck display

Compare Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K20D

Compared to Pentax K-7

Sony DSLR-A380

Pentax K-7

$849
APS-C

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

$1300
APS-C

Lens selection
Longer stills battery life

Compare Sony DSLR-A380 vs Pentax K-7

Nikon D3100

Pentax K-7

$700
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

$1300
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-7

Compared to Sony A33

Sony DSLR-A380

Sony A33

$849
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

$540
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
External Mic Jack

Compare Sony DSLR-A380 vs Sony A33

Nikon D3100

Sony A33

$700
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$540
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon D3100 vs Sony A33

Compared to Pentax K-r

Sony DSLR-A380

Pentax K-r

$849
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
HDMI out

$850
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony DSLR-A380 vs Pentax K-r

Nikon D3100

Pentax K-r

$700
APS-C

Less expensive
Higher effective ISO

$850
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Fast startup

Compare Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-r

Compared to Nikon D5100

Sony DSLR-A380

Nikon D5100

$849
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Bigger JPEG buffer

$650
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony DSLR-A380 vs Nikon D5100

Nikon D3100

Nikon D5100

$700
APS-C

$650
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D5100

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