Sony a5100 vs Nikon D50
This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a5100 and Nikon D50. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Sony a5100 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D50 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.
Sony a5100 were released 2014 and Nikon D50 was released 2005. That is a 9 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Sony a5100 | 2014 |
Nikon D50 | 2005 |
Type of camera
Sony a5100 is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D50 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 D50 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 a5100 | 75 mm Sony APS-C sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5 |
Nikon D50 | 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 a5100 has a 24 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D50 has 6 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 D50 |
6 MP
6016000 pixels 3008 x 2000 |
Sony a5100 has a 299 % larger resolution than Nikon D50. 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
Sony a5100 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D50. Sony a5100 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Nikon D50 has 200 to 1600.
Camera | ISO Range |
Sony a5100 | 100-25600 |
Nikon D50 | 200-1600 |
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 D50
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 D50 can shoot up to 2,5 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Sony a5100 | 6 |
Nikon D50 | 2,5 |
Ability to record movies
It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.
When comparing these two cameras there is only one of them that can shoot movies and that is Sony a5100. Unfortunately Nikon D50 does not support recording movies and movie clips.
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 D50 weighs 620 gr (equal to 1.37 lb) which is 119% heavier than Sony a5100 and its 283 gr (or 0.62 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Sony a5100 | 283 gr 0.62 lb |
Nikon D50 | 620 gr 1.37 lb |
Sony a5100 vs Nikon D50 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a5100 and Nikon D50, 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 D50 |
Name | Sony a5100 | Nikon D50 |
Manufacturer | Sony | Nikon |
Release Date and Price |
Sony a5100 |
Nikon D50 |
Release Year | 2014 | 2005 |
Release Date | 2014-08-18 | 2005-04-20 |
MSRP | 549 USD | 799 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Sony a5100 |
Nikon D50 |
Camera Type | Mirrorless | DSLR |
Sensor |
Sony a5100 |
Nikon D50 |
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 | CMOS | CCD |
Resolution | 6000 x 4000 pixels | 3008 x 2000 pixels |
Megapixels | 24 MP | 6 MP |
Image Processor | Bionz X | EXPEED |
Image |
Sony a5100 |
Nikon D50 |
ISO Range | 100 - 25600 | 200 - 1600 |
White Balance Presets | 10 | 6 |
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 D50 |
Autofocus Motor | Yes | Yes |
Autofocus |
Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Center Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Touch Face Detection LiveView |
Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous |
Focus Points | 179 | 5 |
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 |
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 a5100 |
Nikon D50 |
Articulated LCD | Tilting | Fixed |
Screen size | 3” | 2” |
Screen dots | 921600 | 130000 |
Touch screen | Yes | No |
Screen type | TFT LCD | N/A |
Live view | Yes | No |
Viewfinder Type | No Viewfinder | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder Coverage | 95% | |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.75× (0.5× 35mm equiv.) | |
Viewfinder Resolution | 0 | N/A |
Photography features |
Sony a5100 |
Nikon D50 |
Frames per second | 6 fps | 2,5 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 | 4 meters | 11 meters |
External Flash | No | Yes |
Self-Timer | Yes | Yes |
Time-lapse | Yes | No |
Metering modes |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
Exposure Compensation | +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps) | +/- 5 (at 1/2 EV, 1/3 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Sony a5100 |
Nikon D50 |
Video recording | Yes | No |
Video format |
MPEG4 XF-AVC AVCHD |
N/A |
Video resolution |
1440 x 1080 1920 x 1080 |
N/A |
Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
Built-in Speakers | Yes | No |
Storage |
Sony a5100 |
Nikon D50 |
Memory Card |
Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC |
SD/SDHC |
Connectivity |
Sony a5100 |
Nikon D50 |
HDMI Output | Yes | No |
Microphone Port | No | No |
Headphone Port | No | No |
Wireless |
Yes Built-in (802.11b/g/n with NFC) |
No |
Remote Control | Yes (wired or PC) |
Yes (Optional (ML-L3))
|
GPS | No | No |
Body & Dimensions |
Sony a5100 |
Nikon D50 |
Enviromentally sealed | Yes | No |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
NP-FW50 lithium-ion battery and USB charger
|
Nikon EN-EL3 Lithium-Ion & charger included
|
Battery Life (CIPA) | 400 shots | 400 shots |
Width | 110 mm | 133 mm |
Height | 63 mm | 102 mm |
Depth | 36 mm | 76 mm |
Weight | 283 gram | 620 gram |