Sony NEX-5 vs Nikon D3100

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony NEX-5 and Nikon D3100. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony NEX-5 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D3100 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

These two camera models were both released 2010.

Camera Released
Sony NEX-5 2010
Nikon D3100 2010

Type of camera

Sony NEX-5 is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D3100 is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony NEX-5 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D3100 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 NEX-5 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Nikon D3100 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 NEX-5 has a 14 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D3100 has 14,2 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony NEX-5 14 MP
14033152 pixels
4592 x 3056
Nikon D3100 14,2 MP
14155776 pixels
4608 x 3072

Nikon D3100 has a 1 % larger resolution than Sony NEX-5. 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 D3100 has a larger ISO-range than Sony NEX-5. Nikon D3100 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 12800 while Sony NEX-5 has 200 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Sony NEX-5 200-12800
Nikon D3100 100-12800

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Sony NEX-5 has a built-in autofocus motor but Nikon D3100 does not. If you want to be able to use autofocus on Nikon D3100 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 NEX-5
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D3100

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony NEX-5 can shoot up to 7 pictures per seconds and Nikon D3100 can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony NEX-5 7
Nikon D3100 3

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Sony NEX-5 and Nikon D3100 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 D3100 weighs 505 gr (equal to 1.11 lb) which is 76% heavier than Sony NEX-5 and its 287 gr (or 0.63 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony NEX-5 287 gr
0.63 lb
Nikon D3100 505 gr
1.11 lb

Sony NEX-5 vs Nikon D3100 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony NEX-5 and Nikon D3100, 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 NEX-5
Nikon D3100
Name Sony NEX-5 Nikon D3100
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony NEX-5
Nikon D3100
Release Year 2010 2010
Release Date 2010-05-11 2010-08-19
MSRP 649 USD 699 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony NEX-5
Nikon D3100
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Sony NEX-5
Nikon D3100
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 4592 x 3056 pixels 4608 x 3072 pixels
Megapixels 14 MP 14,2 MP
Image Processor Bionz EXPEED 2
Image
Sony NEX-5
Nikon D3100
ISO Range 200 - 12800 100 - 12800
White Balance Presets 6 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 NEX-5
Nikon D3100
Autofocus Motor Yes No
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 25 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 NEX-5
Nikon D3100
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 920000 230000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A TFT LCD monitor
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type No Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony NEX-5
Nikon D3100
Frames per second 7 fps 3 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 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 No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Average
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony NEX-5
Nikon D3100
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format 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 No
Storage
Sony NEX-5
Nikon D3100
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony NEX-5
Nikon D3100
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control Yes (InfraRed (optional)) Optional
GPS No Yes
Optional
Body & Dimensions
Sony NEX-5
Nikon D3100
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion NP-FW50 rechargeable battery & charger
Lithium-Ion EN-EL14 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 330 shots N/A
Width 111 mm 124 mm
Height 59 mm 96 mm
Depth 38 mm 75 mm
Weight 287 gram 505 gram