Sony a5100 vs Nikon D7100
This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a5100 and Nikon D7100. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Sony a5100 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D7100 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.
Sony a5100 were released 2014 and Nikon D7100 was released 2013. That is a 1 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Sony a5100 | 2014 |
Nikon D7100 | 2013 |
Type of camera
Sony a5100 is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D7100 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 D7100 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 D7100 | 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
Both these cameras have the exact same resolution. Sony a5100 has a 24 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D7100 has 24,1 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 D7100 |
24,1 MP
24000000 pixels 6000 x 4000 |
ISO range
Sony a5100 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D7100. Sony a5100 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Nikon D7100 has 100 to 6400.
Camera | ISO Range |
Sony a5100 | 100-25600 |
Nikon D7100 | 100-6400 |
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 D7100
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 D7100 can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Sony a5100 | 6 |
Nikon D7100 | 6 |
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 D7100 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 D7100 weighs 675 gr (equal to 1.49 lb) which is 139% heavier than Sony a5100 and its 283 gr (or 0.62 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Sony a5100 | 283 gr 0.62 lb |
Nikon D7100 | 675 gr 1.49 lb |
Sony a5100 vs Nikon D7100 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a5100 and Nikon D7100, 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 D7100 |
Name | Sony a5100 | Nikon D7100 |
Manufacturer | Sony | Nikon |
Release Date and Price |
Sony a5100 |
Nikon D7100 |
Release Year | 2014 | 2013 |
Release Date | 2014-08-18 | 2013-02-21 |
MSRP | 549 USD | 1199 USD |
Buy it today |
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Camera Type |
Sony a5100 |
Nikon D7100 |
Camera Type | Mirrorless | DSLR |
Sensor |
Sony a5100 |
Nikon D7100 |
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 | CMOS |
Resolution | 6000 x 4000 pixels | 6000 x 4000 pixels |
Megapixels | 24 MP | 24,1 MP |
Image Processor | Bionz X | EXPEED 3 |
Image |
Sony a5100 |
Nikon D7100 |
ISO Range | 100 - 25600 | 100 - 6400 |
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 D7100 |
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 Face Detection LiveView |
Focus Points | 179 | 51 |
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 D7100 |
Articulated LCD | Tilting | Fixed |
Screen size | 3” | 3,2” |
Screen dots | 921600 | 1228800 |
Touch screen | Yes | No |
Screen type | TFT LCD | Wide Viewing Angle TFT-LCD monitor |
Live view | Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder Type | No Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.94× | |
Viewfinder Resolution | 0 | N/A |
Photography features |
Sony a5100 |
Nikon D7100 |
Frames per second | 6 fps | 6 fps |
Minimum Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/8000 seconds |
Built-in Flash | Yes | Yes |
Built-in Flash Range | 4 meters | 12 meters |
External Flash | No | Yes |
Self-Timer | Yes | Yes |
Time-lapse | Yes | Yes |
Metering modes |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
Multi Center Weighted Spot Average |
Exposure Compensation | +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps) | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Sony a5100 |
Nikon D7100 |
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 |
Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
Built-in Speakers | Yes | Yes |
Storage |
Sony a5100 |
Nikon D7100 |
Memory Card |
Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC |
SD/SDHC |
Connectivity |
Sony a5100 |
Nikon D7100 |
HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
Microphone Port | No | Yes |
Headphone Port | No | Yes |
Wireless |
Yes Built-in (802.11b/g/n with NFC) |
Yes Wireless WR-1 and WR-R10 ![]() |
Remote Control | Yes (wired or PC) |
Yes (Optional, wired MC-DC2 or wireless WR-1 and WR-R10 )
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GPS | No |
Yes Optional ![]() |
Body & Dimensions |
Sony a5100 |
Nikon D7100 |
Enviromentally sealed | Yes | Yes |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
NP-FW50 lithium-ion battery and USB charger
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Lithium-Ion EN-EL15 rechargeable battery & charger
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Battery Life (CIPA) | 400 shots | 950 shots |
Width | 110 mm | 136 mm |
Height | 63 mm | 107 mm |
Depth | 36 mm | 76 mm |
Weight | 283 gram | 675 gram |