Sony DSLR-A200 vs Nikon D3100

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Sony DSLR-A200 vs Nikon D3100

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APS-C 369.7mm²
10.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 3200

Go in depth with our full Sony DSLR-A200 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the DSLR-A200.

APS-C 355.7mm²
14.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 3200

Go in depth with our full Nikon D3100 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the D3100.

Succeeded by the Nikon D3200
Compare D3100 vs D3200
Compare Sony DSLR-A200 vs Nikon D3200

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Differences

Sony DSLR-A200 advantages over Nikon D3100

Less expensive
$600 vs $700 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Bigger pixels
~ 6.12 vs 5.01 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

750 vs 550 shots
Capture more photos
More telephoto lens reach
105 mm vs 83 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
Less shutter lag
0.19 vs 0.28 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)

Nikon D3100 advantages over Sony DSLR-A200

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Fast startup
~0.40 vs 1.5 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
D3100 test data on DxO Mark DSLR-A200 test data on DxO Mark

919 vs 521 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
More pixels
14.2 vs 10.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
100 vs 8 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
12800 vs 3200 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
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
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
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
Pentaprism viewfinder
Neither provide
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
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

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Buy the Sony DSLR-A200

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Review Excerpt

Read our Sony DSLR-A200 Full Review

Read our Nikon D3100 Full Review

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K200D

Sony DSLR-A200

Pentax K200D

$470
APS-C

Less expensive
Longer stills battery life

$800
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony DSLR-A200 vs Pentax K200D

Nikon D3100

Pentax K200D

$700
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
Longer stills battery life

$800
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K200D

Compared to Nikon D60

Sony DSLR-A200

Nikon D60

$470
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$700
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony DSLR-A200 vs Nikon D60

Nikon D3100

Nikon D60

$700
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
HDMI out

$700
APS-C

Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D60

Compared to Sony DSLR-A300

Sony DSLR-A200

Sony DSLR-A300

$470
APS-C

Less expensive
More viewfinder magnification

$563
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Sony DSLR-A200 vs Sony DSLR-A300

Nikon D3100

Sony DSLR-A300

$700
APS-C

Lens selection
Higher effective ISO

$563
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D3100 vs Sony DSLR-A300

Compared to Sony DSLR-A380

Sony DSLR-A200

Sony DSLR-A380

$470
APS-C

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$849
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
Fast startup

Compare Sony DSLR-A200 vs Sony DSLR-A380

Nikon D3100

Sony DSLR-A380

$700
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$849
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Tiltable Screen

Compare Nikon D3100 vs Sony DSLR-A380

Compared to Sony A33

Sony DSLR-A200

Sony A33

$470
APS-C

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$540
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
Tiltable Screen

Compare Sony DSLR-A200 vs Sony A33

Nikon D3100

Sony A33

$700
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$540
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon D3100 vs Sony A33

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