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