Sony FX30 vs Nikon D5100
This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony FX30 and Nikon D5100. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Sony FX30 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D5100 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.
Sony FX30 were released 2022 and Nikon D5100 was released 2011. That is a 11 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.| Camera | Released |
| Sony FX30 | 2022 |
| Nikon D5100 | 2011 |
Type of camera
Sony FX30 is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D5100 is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.
Sensors / crop factor
These cameras have different sensors. Sony FX30 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 FX30 | 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 FX30 has a 26 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 FX30 |
26 MP
25560576 pixels 6192 x 4128 |
| Nikon D5100 |
16,2 MP
16084992 pixels 4928 x 3264 |
Sony FX30 has a 59 % 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 FX30 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D5100. Sony FX30 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 32000 while Nikon D5100 has 100 to 6400.
| Camera | ISO Range |
| Sony FX30 | 100-32000 |
| Nikon D5100 | 100-6400 |
Autofocus and lens compatibility
There is a big difference between these two cameras. Sony FX30 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 FX30
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 FX30 can shoot up to 1 pictures per seconds and Nikon D5100 can shoot up to 4 pictures per seconds.
| Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
| Sony FX30 | 1 |
| Nikon D5100 | 4 |
Ability to record movies
It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.
It is only one of these two cameras that support recording movies and movie clips and that is Nikon D5100. Sadly, the Sony FX30 does not support this.
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 FX30 weighs 646 gr (equal to 1.42 lb) which is 6% heavier than Nikon D5100 and its 611 gr (or 1.35 lb).
| Camera | Weight |
| Sony FX30 | 646 gr 1.42 lb |
| Nikon D5100 | 611 gr 1.35 lb |
Sony FX30 vs Nikon D5100 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony FX30 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 FX30 |
Nikon D5100 |
| Name | Sony FX30 | Nikon D5100 |
| Manufacturer | Sony | Nikon |
Release Date and Price |
Sony FX30 |
Nikon D5100 |
| Release Year | 2022 | 2011 |
| Release Date | 2022-09-28 | 2011-04-05 |
| MSRP | 1799 USD | 359 USD |
| Buy it today |
|
|
Camera Type |
Sony FX30 |
Nikon D5100 |
| Camera Type | Mirrorless | DSLR |
Sensor |
Sony FX30 |
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 | BSI-CMOS | CMOS |
| Resolution | 6192 x 4128 pixels | 4928 x 3264 pixels |
| Megapixels | 26 MP | 16,2 MP |
| Image Processor | BIONZ XR | EXPEED 2 |
Image |
Sony FX30 |
Nikon D5100 |
| ISO Range | 100 - 32000 | 100 - 6400 |
| White Balance Presets | 8 | 12 |
| Custom White Balance | Yes | Yes |
| Image Stabilization |
Yes (Sensor-Shift (5-axis)) |
No |
| Image Stabilization CIPA Rating | 5.5 stops | 0 stops |
| Uncompressed format | RAW | RAW |
Optics & Focus |
Sony FX30 |
Nikon D5100 |
| Autofocus Motor | Yes | No |
| Autofocus |
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 | 759 | 11 |
| 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 FX30 |
Nikon D5100 |
| Articulated LCD | Fully articulated | Fully articulated |
| Screen size | 3” | 3# |
| Screen dots | N/A | 921000 |
| Touch screen | Yes | No |
| Screen type | N/A | TFT LCD monitor |
| Live view | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder Type | No Viewfinder | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 95% | |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 0.78× (0.52× 35mm equiv.) | |
| Viewfinder Resolution | 0 | N/A |
Photography features |
Sony FX30 |
Nikon D5100 |
| Frames per second | 1 fps | 4 fps |
| Minimum Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
| Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
| Built-in Flash | No | Yes |
| Built-in Flash Range | N/A | 12 meters |
| External Flash | Yes | Yes |
| Self-Timer | Yes | Yes |
| Time-lapse | No | Yes |
| Metering modes |
Multi Center Weighted Highlight Weighted Spot Partial Average |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
| Exposure Compensation | N/A | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Sony FX30 |
Nikon D5100 |
| Video recording | No | Yes |
| Video format | N/A |
MPEG4 |
| Video resolution | N/A |
1280 x 720 1920 x 1080 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Speakers | Yes | Yes |
Storage |
Sony FX30 |
Nikon D5100 |
| Memory Card |
Compact Flash Express SD/SDHC |
SD/SDHC |
Connectivity |
Sony FX30 |
Nikon D5100 |
| HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
| Microphone Port | Yes | Yes |
| Headphone Port | Yes | No |
| Wireless |
Yes Built-in (IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac) |
Yes Eye-Fi Connected |
| Remote Control | Supported (no further information) |
Yes (Optional ML-L3)
|
| GPS | No |
Yes Optional with GP-1
|
Body & Dimensions |
Sony FX30 |
Nikon D5100 |
| Enviromentally sealed | No | No |
| Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery Details |
NP-FZ100
|
Lithium-Ion EN-EL14 rechargeable battery & charger
|
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 570 shots | N/A |
| Width | 78 mm | 128 mm |
| Height | 130 mm | 97 mm |
| Depth | 85 mm | 79 mm |
| Weight | 646 gram | 611 gram |