Nikon D3100 vs Sony A58

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Nikon D3100 vs Sony A58

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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.

APS-C 366.6mm²
20.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 16,000

Go in depth with our full Sony A58 Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A58 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A58.
Compare Sony A58 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A58 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Nikon D3200
Compare D3100 vs D3200

Succeeded by the Sony A68
Compare A58 vs A68

Compare NIKON D3200 vs SONY A68

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Differences

Nikon D3100 advantages over Sony A58

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Bigger pixels
~ 5.01 vs 4.31 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.40 vs 1.9 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 A58 test data on DxO Mark

919 vs 753 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Bigger JPEG buffer
100 vs 8 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sony A58 advantages over Nikon D3100

Less expensive
$600 vs $700 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
A58 test data on DxO Mark D3100 test data on DxO Mark

12.5 vs 11.2 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

700 vs 550 shots
Capture more photos
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
More cross-type AF points
3 vs 1
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
More dots on screen
461k vs 230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Less shutter lag
0.13 vs 0.28 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
20.1 vs 14.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
More AF points
15 vs 11
More AF points improve autofocus
Faster JPEG shooting
4.9 fps vs 2.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

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

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
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
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read D3100 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A58 User Reviews

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Review Excerpt

Read our Nikon D3100 Full Review

Improved 20.1-megapixel resolution; Impressive image quality, especially for its price; Fast and decisive autofocus (in most conditions); Very good battery life; Good video quality (Full HD 1080p, though it doesn't support 60p frame rate).
Plastic lens mount; Slower burst mode speeds and shallower buffer than A57; LCD no longer fully articulating; Mediocre kit lens; Electronic instead of an optical viewfinder may be a turnoff for some.
Read our Sony A58 Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSLR-A380

Nikon D3100

Sony DSLR-A380

$700
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$849
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Tiltable Screen

Compare Nikon D3100 vs Sony DSLR-A380

Sony A58

Sony DSLR-A380

$598
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$849
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

Compare Sony A58 vs Sony DSLR-A380

Compared to 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

Sony A58

Sony A33

$598
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$540
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

Compare Sony A58 vs Sony A33

Compared to 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

Sony A58

Pentax K-r

$598
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$850
APS-C

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A58 vs Pentax K-r

Compared to Pentax K-5 IIs

Nikon D3100

Pentax K-5 IIs

$700
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

$497
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Sony A58

Pentax K-5 IIs

$598
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$497
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A58 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Compared to Canon T5i

Nikon D3100

Canon T5i

$700
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

$539
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D3100 vs Canon T5i

Sony A58

Canon T5i

$598
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$539
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A58 vs Canon T5i

Compare Other Cameras?