Sony a5100 vs Nikon D850

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a5100 and Nikon D850. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a5100 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D850 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony a5100 were released 2014 and Nikon D850 was released 2017. That is a 3 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a5100 2014
Nikon D850 2017

Type of camera

Sony a5100 is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D850 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 D850 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 D850 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 D850 has 46 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 D850 46 MP
45441024 pixels
8256 x 5504

Nikon D850 has a 89 % larger resolution than Sony a5100. 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 D850 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a5100. Nikon D850 has an ISO range that stretches from 64 to 25600 while Sony a5100 has 100 to 25600.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a5100 100-25600
Nikon D850 64-25600

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 D850

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 D850 can shoot up to 9 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a5100 6
Nikon D850 9

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 D850 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 D850 weighs 1005 gr (equal to 2.22 lb) which is 255% heavier than Sony a5100 and its 283 gr (or 0.62 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a5100 283 gr
0.62 lb
Nikon D850 1005 gr
2.22 lb

Sony a5100 vs Nikon D850 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a5100 and Nikon D850, 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 D850
Name Sony a5100 Nikon D850
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a5100
Nikon D850
Release Year 2014 2017
Release Date 2014-08-18 2017-07-25
MSRP 549 USD 3299 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a5100
Nikon D850
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Sony a5100
Nikon D850
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 BSI-CMOS
Resolution 6000 x 4000 pixels 8256 x 5504 pixels
Megapixels 24 MP 46 MP
Image Processor Bionz X EXPEED 5
Image
Sony a5100
Nikon D850
ISO Range 100 - 25600 64 - 25600
White Balance Presets 10 14
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW + TIFF
Optics & Focus
Sony a5100
Nikon D850
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 179 151
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 D850
Articulated LCD Tilting Tilting
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 0.75×
Viewfinder Resolution 0 0
Photography features
Sony a5100
Nikon D850
Frames per second 6 fps 9 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, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a5100
Nikon D850
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
XF-AVC
AVCHD
MPEG4
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 D850
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
XQD
Connectivity
Sony a5100
Nikon D850
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11b/g/n with NFC)
Yes
Built-In ( 802.11b/g + NFC + Bluetooth 4.1 LE)
Remote Control Yes (wired or PC) Yes (wired, wireless, smartphone)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a5100
Nikon D850
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details NP-FW50 lithium-ion battery and USB charger
EN-EL15a lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 400 shots 1840 shots
Width 110 mm 146 mm
Height 63 mm 124 mm
Depth 36 mm 79 mm
Weight 283 gram 1005 gram