• APS-C 355.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • Detailed specifications
  • Nikon D3100
  • Sony Alpha ILCE-A6500
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website
Nikon D3100 webpage
Manufacturer website
Predecessor:   Sony A6300
A6300 vs A6500
Successor: Nikon D3200
D3100 vs D3200
Sony A6600
A6500 vs A6600
General
Model Number: D3100 A6500
Alternate Model Number(s):   ILCE-6500
Camera Format: SLR Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No Yes
Retail Price: $699.95 $1299.99
Street Price:   $1,198.00
Date Available: 2010-09-15 2016-11-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 27.4 oz (777 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
16.0 oz (453 g)
includes batteries
Size: 4.9 x 3.8 x 2.9 in.
(125 x 97 x 74 mm)
4.7 x 2.6 x 2.1 in.
(120 x 67 x 53 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:   Sony
Effective Megapixels: 14.2 24.2
Sensor Format: APS-C APS-C
Sensor size: 355.74mm2 (23.10mm x 15.40mm) 366.6mm2 (23.50mm x 15.60mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.01 microns 3.92 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No Yes
DxO Sensor Score: 67 85
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 22.5 24.5
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 11.3 13.7
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 919 1,405
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4608 x 3072 (14.2 MP, 3:2),
3456 x 2304 (8.0 MP, 3:2),
2304 x 1536 (3.5 MP, 3:2)
6000 x 4000 (24.0 MP, 3:2),
6000 x 3376 (20.3 MP, 16:9),
4240 x 2832 (12.0 MP, 3:2),
4240 x 2400 (10.2 MP, Other),
3008 x 2000 (6.0 MP, 3:2),
3008 x 1688 (5.1 MP, 16:9),
12416 x 1856 (23.0 MP, Other),
8192 x 1856 (15.2 MP, Other),
2160 x 5536 (12.0 MP, Other),
2160 x 3872 (8.4 MP, Other)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.21), RAW (12-bit .NEF), RAW+JPEG JPEG (EXIF 2.3), RAW (14-bit compressed ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 2.9 11.1
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (24)
1280x720 (30/​25/​24)
640x424 (24)
3840x2160 (30p/​25p/​24p)
1920x1080 (120p/​100p/​60p/​60i/​50p/​50i/​30p/​25p/​24p)
1280x720 (30p/​25p)
Movie File Format: MOV H.264/MPEG-4 XAVC S / AVCHD format Ver. 2.0 compliant / MP4; Audio: LPCM, 2ch / Dolby Digital (AC-3), 2ch, Dolby Digital Stereo Creator / MPEG-4 AAC-LC, 2ch
Composite Video Out: Yes No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: No n/a
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Nikon F Sony E
Lens: Nikkor AF-S DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR n/a
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 27 - 83mm  
Focal Length (actual): 18 - 55mm  
Zoom Ratio: 3.00x  
Aperture Range: f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - 38 (T)  
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 28 cm to Infinity
11.0 in to Infinity
 
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: 52.0mm n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes No
Digital Zoom: No Yes
Digital Zoom Values: n/a Up to 4x; up to 2x Clear Image Digital Zoom
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Nikon Multi-CAM 1000 11-Area Phase Detection, 1 cross-type, 9 line-type Hybrid Contrast/Phase Detection: Wide (425 points phase-detection AF, 169 points contrast-detection AF), Zone, Center, Flexible Spot (Small / Medium / Large), Expanded Flexible Spot
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD EVF / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.80x mag., 18mm eyepoint, -1.7 to +0.5 diopter EVF type; 1.0cm (0.39-inch) 2.3M-dot XGA OLED, 100% coverage, 1.07x mag. (0.70x 35mm eq.), 23mm eyepoint, -4 to +3 diopter
Focus Peaking: No Yes
EVF Resolution: n/a 2,359,296 dots
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.53x 0.70x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.80x 1.07x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 230,000 dots 921,600 dots (307,200 px)
Touchscreen: No Yes
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 27.0x 16.7x
Top Deck Display: No No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 3200 25600
Minimum ISO (native): 100 100
ISO Settings: 100 - 3,200; expandable to 12800 Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800, 25600, expandable to 51200
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Incandescent, Fluorescent (7 types), Direct Sunlight, Flash, Cloudy, Shade, Preset Manual;all except Preset Manual with fine tuning Auto WB (with new Ambience, Standard and White options), Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent (Warm white/Cool white/Day white/Daylight), Flash, C. Temp 2500 to 9900K, C Filter G7 to M7 (15-step), Custom, Underwater; AWB micro adjustment
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 30 sec 1/4000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 420 segment 3D color matrix metering II, color matrix metering II, center-weighted, spot (3.5mm) 1200-zone Evaluative, Center-weighted, Spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Child, Sports, Close up, Night portrait Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports Action, Sunset, Night Portrait, Night Scene, Hand-held Twilight, Anti Motion Blur, HDR, Sweep Panorama, Movie/High Frame Rate
Self Timer: 10 or 2 seconds 2 , 10, 10 (3 or 5 frames) seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Red-Eye Reduction, Red-Eye Reduction with Slow Sync, Slow Sync, Rear-Curtain Sync. Auto, Off, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. 6.0 m / 19.7 ft.
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent Guide Number is 6m/19.7 ft at ISO 100; Range is lens aperture dependent
Max Flash Sync: 1/200 1/160
Flash Exposure Compensation: -3 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: ISO hot shoe Multi Interface Shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:   No
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC / SDXC MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   UHS-I
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW (12-bit .NEF), RAW+JPEG RAW (14-bit compressed ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format: MOV H.264/MPEG-4 XAVC S / AVCHD format Ver. 2.0 compliant / MP4; Audio: LPCM, 2ch / Dolby Digital (AC-3), 2ch, Dolby Digital Stereo Creator / MPEG-4 AAC-LC, 2ch
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No Yes
NFC: No Yes
Bluetooth: No Yes
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No Yes
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed,Bluetooth,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: Yes No
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional, MC-DC2 corded Optional wired, IR or Wi-FI
Connections (extended): Type C mini-HDMI with CEC, Accessory Terminal (MC-DC2 remote cord or GP-1 GPS unit) Micro (Type-D) HDMI, Multi Interface Shoe, Multi Micro USB
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.55 0.62
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.54  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): Unlimited  
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):   0.59
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 2.9 11.1
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 100 231
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   11.1
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):   110
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   11.1
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):   101
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.28 seconds 0.18 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.200 seconds 0.127 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.30 seconds 0.29 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.117 seconds 0.019 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Live View: Full AF lag (AF-S or AF-F) = 1.5s Prefocused lag = 0.479s  
Startup Time: 0.4 seconds 1.3 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.3 seconds 0.9 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 3.5 seconds 3.0 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   350 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 550 shots 310 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary EN-EL14 Proprietary NP-FW50
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary EN-EL14 Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NP-FW50 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes No
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: No
Internal Charging Supported: Yes
Software
Included Software: Nikon Software Suite CD-ROM Free downloads of Image Data Converter (Win only), Capture One Express (for Sony)
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS  
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: 1080p HD movies, Quiet Shutter mode, new full-time AF in Movie mode.