Sony DSLR-A550 vs Nikon D3100

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Sony DSLR-A550 vs Nikon D3100

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APS-C 369.7mm²
14.2 megapixels
ISO 200 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Sony DSLR-A550 Review.

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-A550 vs Nikon D3200

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Differences

Sony DSLR-A550 advantages over Nikon D3100

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
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

950 vs 550 shots
Capture more photos
More dots on screen
922k vs 230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Less shutter lag
0.18 vs 0.28 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Faster JPEG shooting
6.7 fps vs 2.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Nikon D3100 advantages over Sony DSLR-A550

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Less expensive
$700 vs $1050 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
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-A550 test data on DxO Mark

919 vs 807 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
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
Bigger JPEG buffer
100 vs 15 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

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
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

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
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-A550

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Review Excerpt

We haven’t reviewed the Sony DSLR-A550.
Read our Sony DSLR-A550 Initial Test

Read our Nikon D3100 Full Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 50D

Sony DSLR-A550

Canon 50D

$859
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1000
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony DSLR-A550 vs Canon 50D

Nikon D3100

Canon 50D

$700
APS-C

Less expensive
Higher effective ISO

$1000
APS-C

Fast startup
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Nikon D3100 vs Canon 50D

Compared to Sony DSLR-A380

Sony DSLR-A550

Sony DSLR-A380

$859
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
Longer stills battery life

$849
APS-C

Less expensive
Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Sony DSLR-A550 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 Nikon D300S

Sony DSLR-A550

Nikon D300S

$859
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Tiltable Screen

$1697
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony DSLR-A550 vs Nikon D300S

Nikon D3100

Nikon D300S

$700
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
Shoots 1080p video

$1697
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D300S

Compared to Sony DSLR-A500

Sony DSLR-A550

Sony DSLR-A500

$859
APS-C

More dots on screen
More pixels

$850
APS-C

Less expensive

Compare Sony DSLR-A550 vs Sony DSLR-A500

Nikon D3100

Sony DSLR-A500

$700
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$850
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Tiltable Screen

Compare Nikon D3100 vs Sony DSLR-A500

Compared to Sony A33

Sony DSLR-A550

Sony A33

$859
APS-C

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

$540
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Sony DSLR-A550 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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