Sony a5100 vs Nikon Z6
This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a5100 and Nikon Z6. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Sony a5100 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon Z6 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.
Sony a5100 were released 2014 and Nikon Z6 was released 2018. That is a 4 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Sony a5100 | 2014 |
Nikon Z6 | 2018 |
Type of camera
Both these cameras are Mirrorless cameras. No difference there.
Sensors / crop factor
These cameras have different sensors. Sony a5100 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Nikon Z6 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 Z6 | 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 Z6 has 25 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 Z6 |
25 MP
24337152 pixels 6048 x 4024 |
Nikon Z6 has a 1 % 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 Z6 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a5100. Nikon Z6 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Sony a5100 has 100 to 25600.
Camera | ISO Range |
Sony a5100 | 100-25600 |
Nikon Z6 | 100-51200 |
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 Z6
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 Z6 can shoot up to 12 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Sony a5100 | 6 |
Nikon Z6 | 12 |
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 Z6 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 Z6 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 Z6 | 675 gr 1.49 lb |
Sony a5100 vs Nikon Z6 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a5100 and Nikon Z6, 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 Z6 |
Name | Sony a5100 | Nikon Z6 |
Manufacturer | Sony | Nikon |
Release Date and Price |
Sony a5100 |
Nikon Z6 |
Release Year | 2014 | 2018 |
Release Date | 2014-08-18 | 2018-08-23 |
MSRP | 549 USD | 1995 USD |
Buy it today |
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Camera Type |
Sony a5100 |
Nikon Z6 |
Camera Type | Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
Sensor |
Sony a5100 |
Nikon Z6 |
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 | 6048 x 4024 pixels |
Megapixels | 24 MP | 25 MP |
Image Processor | Bionz X | EXPEED 6 |
Image |
Sony a5100 |
Nikon Z6 |
ISO Range | 100 - 25600 | 100 - 51200 |
White Balance Presets | 10 | 12 |
Custom White Balance | Yes | Yes |
Image Stabilization | No |
Yes (Sensor-Shift (5 axis)) |
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating | 0 stops | 5 stops |
Uncompressed format | RAW | RAW |
Optics & Focus |
Sony a5100 |
Nikon Z6 |
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 | 273 |
Lens Mount |
Sony E See Compatible Lenses |
Nikon Z 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 Z6 |
Articulated LCD | Tilting | Tilting |
Screen size | 3” | 3.2” |
Screen dots | 921600 | 2100000 |
Touch screen | Yes | Yes |
Screen type | TFT LCD | TFT LCD |
Live view | Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder Type | No Viewfinder | Electronic |
Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.8x | |
Viewfinder Resolution | 0 | 3690000 |
Photography features |
Sony a5100 |
Nikon Z6 |
Frames per second | 6 fps | 12 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 steps) |
Videography features |
Sony a5100 |
Nikon Z6 |
Video recording | Yes | Yes |
Video format |
MPEG4 XF-AVC AVCHD |
MPEG4 H.264 |
Video resolution |
1440 x 1080 1920 x 1080 |
1920 x 1080 3840 x 2160 |
Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
Built-in Speakers | Yes | Yes |
Storage |
Sony a5100 |
Nikon Z6 |
Memory Card |
Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC |
XQD |
Connectivity |
Sony a5100 |
Nikon Z6 |
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 (802.11ac + Bluetooth) |
Remote Control | Yes (wired or PC) |
Yes (via MC-DC2 or smartphone)
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GPS | No | No |
Body & Dimensions |
Sony a5100 |
Nikon Z6 |
Enviromentally sealed | Yes | Yes |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
NP-FW50 lithium-ion battery and USB charger
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EN-EL15b
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Battery Life (CIPA) | 400 shots | 310 shots |
Width | 110 mm | 134 mm |
Height | 63 mm | 101 mm |
Depth | 36 mm | 68 mm |
Weight | 283 gram | 675 gram |