Sony a350 vs Nikon D5100

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a350 and Nikon D5100. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a350 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D5100 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony a350 were released 2008 and Nikon D5100 was released 2011. That is a 3 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a350 2008
Nikon D5100 2011

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a350 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D5100 has a "Nikon DX"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Sony a350 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Nikon D5100 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Sony)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Sony a350 has a 14 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D5100 has 16,2 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a350 14 MP
14033152 pixels
4592 x 3056
Nikon D5100 16,2 MP
16084992 pixels
4928 x 3264

Nikon D5100 has a 15 % larger resolution than Sony a350. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Nikon D5100 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a350. Nikon D5100 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 6400 while Sony a350 has 100 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a350 100-3200
Nikon D5100 100-6400

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Sony a350 has a built-in autofocus motor but Nikon D5100 does not. If you want to be able to use autofocus on Nikon D5100 there is a need for having an autofocus motor inside the lens. We really encourage you to look closely at our lens compatibility charts at the links below.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a350
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D5100

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a350 can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds and Nikon D5100 can shoot up to 4 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a350 3
Nikon D5100 4

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

It is only one of these two cameras that support recording movies and movie clips and that is Nikon D5100. Sadly, the Sony a350 does not support this.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Sony a350 weighs 674 gr (equal to 1.49 lb) which is 10% heavier than Nikon D5100 and its 611 gr (or 1.35 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a350 674 gr
1.49 lb
Nikon D5100 611 gr
1.35 lb

Sony a350 vs Nikon D5100 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a350 and Nikon D5100, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Sony a350
Nikon D5100
Name Sony a350 Nikon D5100
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a350
Nikon D5100
Release Year 2008 2011
Release Date 2008-01-30 2011-04-05
MSRP 899 USD 359 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a350
Nikon D5100
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Sony a350
Nikon D5100
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type CCD CMOS
Resolution 4592 x 3056 pixels 4928 x 3264 pixels
Megapixels 14 MP 16,2 MP
Image Processor Bionz EXPEED 2
Image
Sony a350
Nikon D5100
ISO Range 100 - 3200 100 - 6400
White Balance Presets 6 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a350
Nikon D5100
Autofocus Motor Yes No
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 9 11
Lens Mount Sony A

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-C Sensor (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
DX / APS-C (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Sony a350
Nikon D5100
Articulated LCD Tilting Fully articulated
Screen size 2.7” 3#
Screen dots 230000 921000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A TFT LCD monitor
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.74× (0.49× 35mm equiv.) 0.78× (0.52× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a350
Nikon D5100
Frames per second 3 fps 4 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range 12 meters 12 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a350
Nikon D5100
Video recording No Yes
Video format N/A MPEG4
Video resolution N/A 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone No Yes
Built-in Speakers No Yes
Storage
Sony a350
Nikon D5100
Memory Card Compact Flash
Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a350
Nikon D5100
HDMI Output No Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control Yes (Wired or wirelss (optional)) Yes (Optional ML-L3)
GPS No Yes
Optional with GP-1
Body & Dimensions
Sony a350
Nikon D5100
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details NP-FM500H
Lithium-Ion EN-EL14 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 730 shots N/A
Width 131 mm 128 mm
Height 99 mm 97 mm
Depth 75 mm 79 mm
Weight 674 gram 611 gram