• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 2000.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Sony A5100 advantages over Nikon P950

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Less expensive
    $448 vs $797*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.92 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 400 vs 290 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    35 mm vs 149 mm
    Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 16.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 5 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    67 vs 10 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon P950 advantages over Sony A5100

  • 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
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/4000 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    5 years vs 10 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.0 fps vs 6.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • 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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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.

  • Read our Sony A5100 Review

The Competition

Compared to Samsung NX1000

Sony A5100
Samsung NX1000
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $413
  • APS-C
  • Higher-res screen
  • Hot shoe

Compare Sony A5100 vs Samsung NX1000

Nikon P950
Samsung NX1000
  • $797
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $413
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon P950 vs Samsung NX1000

Compared to Samsung NX1100

Sony A5100
Samsung NX1100
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Higher-res screen
  • Hot shoe

Compare Sony A5100 vs Samsung NX1100

Nikon P950
Samsung NX1100
  • $797
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon P950 vs Samsung NX1100

Compared to Sony A5000

Sony A5100
Sony A5000
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A5100 vs Sony A5000

Nikon P950
Sony A5000
  • $797
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nikon P950 vs Sony A5000

Compared to Nikon P900

Sony A5100
Nikon P900
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive
  • $697
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony A5100 vs Nikon P900

Nikon P950
Nikon P900
  • $797
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • RAW file ability
  • $697
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • NFC

Compare Nikon P950 vs Nikon P900

Compared to Nikon P1000

Sony A5100
Nikon P1000
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive
  • $997
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony A5100 vs Nikon P1000

Nikon P950
Nikon P1000
  • $797
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Lighter weight
  • $997
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer exposure

Compare Nikon P950 vs Nikon P1000

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