• APS-C 368.2mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 32,000

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Differences

Nikon D5100 advantages over Sony A6100

  • 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
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.79 vs 3.92 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 660 vs 420 shots
    Capture more photos

Sony A6100 advantages over Nikon D5100

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • 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
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    59 mm vs 79 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    5 years vs 14 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Lighter weight
    512g vs 829g
    Lighter weight
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.70x vs 0.52x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 16.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 27 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.0 fps vs 3.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    11.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    33 vs 13 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 25600 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • 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 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

User reviews

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Buy the Nikon D5100
Body Only

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Buy the Sony A6100
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 16-50mm and 55-210mm Lenses
  • Kit with 16-50mm Lens
All A6100 Deals

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.

  • Read our Nikon D5100 Full Review

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

Compare Nikon D5100 vs Sony A55

Sony A6100
Sony A55
  • $648
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $734
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A6100 vs Sony A55

Compared to Sony A33

Nikon D5100
Sony A33
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5100 vs Sony A33

Sony A6100
Sony A33
  • $648
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A6100 vs Sony A33

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

Compare Nikon D5100 vs Sony A57

Sony A6100
Sony A57
  • $648
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A6100 vs Sony A57

Compared to Fujifilm X-T100

Nikon D5100
Fujifilm X-T100
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Nikon D5100 vs Fujifilm X-T100

Sony A6100
Fujifilm X-T100
  • $648
  • APS-C
  • Slower slow-motion
  • NFC
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A6100 vs Fujifilm X-T100

Compared to Sony A6400

Nikon D5100
Sony A6400
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Nikon D5100 vs Sony A6400

Sony A6100
Sony A6400
  • $648
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Higher extended ISO

Compare Sony A6100 vs Sony A6400

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