• APS-C 368.2mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Nikon D5100 advantages over Sony NEX-5R

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,183 vs 910 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 660 vs 330 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video

Sony NEX-5R advantages over Nikon D5100

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    38 mm vs 79 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    466g vs 829g
    Lighter weight
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 3.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Side-mounted tilt / swivel LCD screen; same sensor and processing as the Nikon D7000; good speed and battery life; in-camera HDR and filter effects; Full HD video capture with aperture control; audio levels control and external microphone jack.

  • AF-S lens mount doesn't offer autofocus with screw-drive lenses; popup flash isn't the greatest; no built-in wireless flash control; HDR function doesn't microalign source images.

The Competition

Compared to Sony A55

Nikon D5100
Sony A55
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $734
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas
Sony NEX-5R
Sony A55
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $734
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Sony A33

Nikon D5100
Sony A33
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas
Sony NEX-5R
Sony A33
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Sony NEX-5N

Nikon D5100
Sony NEX-5N
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Thinner
Sony NEX-5R
Sony NEX-5N
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Sony A57

Nikon D5100
Sony A57
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Sony NEX-5R
Sony A57
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Canon EOS M

Nikon D5100
Canon EOS M
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • On-sensor phase detect
Sony NEX-5R
Canon EOS M
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • External Mic Jack
Compare Other Cameras?