• 1/2.4 inch 27.1mm2
  • 9.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 560.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 368.2mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400

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Differences

Sony DSC-HX1 advantages over Nikon D5100

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 3.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Nikon D5100 advantages over Sony DSC-HX1

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.4 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.79 vs 1.71 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 2.3 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 660 vs 390 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    16.2 vs 9.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 10 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • 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
  • 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

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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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 Nikon P90

Sony DSC-HX1
Nikon P90
  • $499
  • 1/2.4 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Manual focus
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More pixels

Compare Sony DSC-HX1 vs Nikon P90

Nikon D5100
Nikon P90
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5100 vs Nikon P90

Compared to Canon SX1 IS

Sony DSC-HX1
Canon SX1 IS
  • $499
  • 1/2.4 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Hot shoe

Compare Sony DSC-HX1 vs Canon SX1 IS

Nikon D5100
Canon SX1 IS
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Higher max flash sync

Compare Nikon D5100 vs Canon SX1 IS

Compared to Nikon P100

Sony DSC-HX1
Nikon P100
  • $499
  • 1/2.4 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Longer exposure
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Sony DSC-HX1 vs Nikon P100

Nikon D5100
Nikon P100
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Less shutter lag

Compare Nikon D5100 vs Nikon P100

Compared to Sony A55

Sony DSC-HX1
Sony A55
  • $499
  • 1/2.4 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $734
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony DSC-HX1 vs 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

Compared to Sony A57

Sony DSC-HX1
Sony A57
  • $499
  • 1/2.4 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Sony DSC-HX1 vs 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

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