Sony a5100 vs Nikon D5

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a5100 and Nikon D5. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a5100 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D5 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony a5100 were released 2014 and Nikon D5 was released 2016. That is a 2 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a5100 2014
Nikon D5 2016

Type of camera

Sony a5100 is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D5 is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a5100 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D5 has a "Nikon FX"-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 a5100 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Nikon D5 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier

** 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 a5100 has a 24 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D5 has 21 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a5100 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000
Nikon D5 21 MP
20742656 pixels
5588 x 3712

Sony a5100 has a 16 % larger resolution than Nikon D5. 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 D5 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a5100. Nikon D5 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 102400 while Sony a5100 has 100 to 25600.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a5100 100-25600
Nikon D5 100-102400

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a5100
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D5

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a5100 can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds and Nikon D5 can shoot up to 14 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a5100 6
Nikon D5 14

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Sony a5100 and Nikon D5 can shoot movies.

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.

Nikon D5 weighs 1415 gr (equal to 3.12 lb) which is 400% heavier than Sony a5100 and its 283 gr (or 0.62 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a5100 283 gr
0.62 lb
Nikon D5 1415 gr
3.12 lb

Sony a5100 vs Nikon D5 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a5100 and Nikon D5, 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 a5100
Nikon D5
Name Sony a5100 Nikon D5
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a5100
Nikon D5
Release Year 2014 2016
Release Date 2014-08-18 2016-01-05
MSRP 549 USD 6499 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a5100
Nikon D5
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Sony a5100
Nikon D5
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 6000 x 4000 pixels 5588 x 3712 pixels
Megapixels 24 MP 21 MP
Image Processor Bionz X EXPEED 5
Image
Sony a5100
Nikon D5
ISO Range 100 - 25600 100 - 102400
White Balance Presets 10 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a5100
Nikon D5
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 179 153
Lens Mount Sony E

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
FX (Full frame)
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Sony a5100
Nikon D5
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 3” 3.2”
Screen dots 921600 2359000
Touch screen Yes Yes
Screen type TFT LCD TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type No Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.72×
Viewfinder Resolution 0 0
Photography features
Sony a5100
Nikon D5
Frames per second 6 fps 14 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes No
Built-in Flash Range 4 meters N/A
External Flash No Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a5100
Nikon D5
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
XF-AVC
AVCHD
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Sony a5100
Nikon D5
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
XQD
Connectivity
Sony a5100
Nikon D5
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11b/g/n with NFC)
Yes
Optional with WT-5A or WT-6A
Remote Control Yes (wired or PC) Yes (wired, wireless, smartphone)
GPS No Yes
Optional with GP-1A
Body & Dimensions
Sony a5100
Nikon D5
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details NP-FW50 lithium-ion battery and USB charger
EN-EL18a lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 400 shots 3780 shots
Width 110 mm 160 mm
Height 63 mm 159 mm
Depth 36 mm 92 mm
Weight 283 gram 1415 gram