• 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Nikon V2 advantages over Sony A5100

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Higher-res screen
    307k vs 230k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Less shutter lag
    0.07 vs 0.23 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    60.6 fps vs 6.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    58.8 fps vs 6.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    40 vs 25 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Sony A5100 advantages over Nikon V2

  • Lens selection
    Good vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.92 vs 2.86 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Better color depth
    23.8 vs 20.2 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,347 vs 403 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    12.7 vs 10.8 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 400 vs 310 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 14.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 27 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    67 vs 40 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • On-sensor phase detect
    Both provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • 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
  • 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon V2

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A5100

Review Excerpt

  • Very small and comfortable form factor; Very good image quality for its class; New dual video record function; Quick autofocus and good dynamic range.

  • Lacks an EVF and external mode dial; No hot shoe; JPEG processing at higher ISOs not as good as some competing mid-level models.

The Competition

Compared to Nikon V1

Nikon V2
Nikon V1
  • $900
  • 1 inch
  • Higher effective ISO
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $900
  • 1 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup
Sony A5100
Nikon V1
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $900
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Fast startup

Compared to Samsung NX1100

Nikon V2
Samsung NX1100
  • $900
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
Sony A5100
Samsung NX1100
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Higher-res screen
  • Hot shoe

Compared to Nikon AW1

Nikon V2
Nikon AW1
  • $900
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $797
  • 1 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
Sony A5100
Nikon AW1
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $797
  • 1 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Built-in GPS

Compared to Sony A5000

Nikon V2
Sony A5000
  • $900
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
Sony A5100
Sony A5000
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive

Compared to Nikon V3

Nikon V2
Nikon V3
  • $900
  • 1 inch
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $1197
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas
Sony A5100
Nikon V3
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $1197
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • External Mic Jack
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