Sony a65 vs Nikon D5100

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a65 and Nikon D5100. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a65 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D5100 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

These two camera models were both released 2011.

Camera Released
Sony a65 2011
Nikon D5100 2011

Type of camera

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a65 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D5100 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 a65 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Nikon D5100 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 a65 has a 24 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D5100 has 16,2 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a65 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000
Nikon D5100 16,2 MP
16084992 pixels
4928 x 3264

Sony a65 has a 49 % larger resolution than Nikon D5100. 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 a65 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D5100. Sony a65 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 12800 while Nikon D5100 has 100 to 6400.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a65 100-12800
Nikon D5100 100-6400

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Sony a65 has a built-in autofocus motor but Nikon D5100 does not. If you want to be able to use autofocus on Nikon D5100 there is a need for having an autofocus motor inside the lens. We really encourage you to look closely at our lens compatibility charts at the links below.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a65
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D5100

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a65 can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds and Nikon D5100 can shoot up to 4 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a65 10
Nikon D5100 4

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

In this case, both Sony a65 and Nikon D5100 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.

Sony a65 weighs 622 gr (equal to 1.37 lb) which is 2% heavier than Nikon D5100 and its 611 gr (or 1.35 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a65 622 gr
1.37 lb
Nikon D5100 611 gr
1.35 lb

Sony a65 vs Nikon D5100 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a65 and Nikon D5100, 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 a65
Nikon D5100
Name Sony a65 Nikon D5100
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a65
Nikon D5100
Release Year 2011 2011
Release Date 2011-08-24 2011-04-05
MSRP 899 USD 359 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a65
Nikon D5100
Camera Type SLT DSLR
Sensor
Sony a65
Nikon D5100
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 4928 x 3264 pixels
Megapixels 24 MP 16,2 MP
Image Processor Bionz EXPEED 2
Image
Sony a65
Nikon D5100
ISO Range 100 - 12800 100 - 6400
White Balance Presets 8 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a65
Nikon D5100
Autofocus Motor Yes No
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 15 11
Lens Mount Sony A

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 a65
Nikon D5100
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Fully articulated
Screen size 3” 3#
Screen dots 921000 921000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A TFT LCD monitor
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 1.1× (0.73× 35mm equiv.) 0.78× (0.52× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a65
Nikon D5100
Frames per second 10 fps 4 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 10 meters 12 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a65
Nikon D5100
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
AVCHD
MPEG4
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 a65
Nikon D5100
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a65
Nikon D5100
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control Yes (Optional) Yes (Optional ML-L3)
GPS Yes
Built-in
Yes
Optional with GP-1
Body & Dimensions
Sony a65
Nikon D5100
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Rechargeable NP-FM500H battery & charger
Lithium-Ion EN-EL14 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 510 shots N/A
Width 132 mm 128 mm
Height 97 mm 97 mm
Depth 81 mm 79 mm
Weight 622 gram 611 gram