Sony NEX-5T vs Nikon D5100
This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony NEX-5T and Nikon D5100. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Sony NEX-5T is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D5100 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.
Sony NEX-5T were released 2013 and Nikon D5100 was released 2011. That is a 2 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.| Camera | Released |
| Sony NEX-5T | 2013 |
| Nikon D5100 | 2011 |
Type of camera
Sony NEX-5T 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 NEX-5T 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 NEX-5T | 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 NEX-5T has a 16 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 NEX-5T |
16 MP
16032768 pixels 4912 x 3264 |
| Nikon D5100 |
16,2 MP
16084992 pixels 4928 x 3264 |
Nikon D5100 has a 0 % larger resolution than Sony NEX-5T. 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 NEX-5T has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D5100. Sony NEX-5T has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Nikon D5100 has 100 to 6400.
| Camera | ISO Range |
| Sony NEX-5T | 100-25600 |
| Nikon D5100 | 100-6400 |
Autofocus and lens compatibility
There is a big difference between these two cameras. Sony NEX-5T 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 NEX-5T
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 NEX-5T 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 NEX-5T | 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 NEX-5T 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.
Nikon D5100 weighs 611 gr (equal to 1.35 lb) which is 121% heavier than Sony NEX-5T and its 276 gr (or 0.61 lb).
| Camera | Weight |
| Sony NEX-5T | 276 gr 0.61 lb |
| Nikon D5100 | 611 gr 1.35 lb |
Sony NEX-5T vs Nikon D5100 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony NEX-5T 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 NEX-5T |
Nikon D5100 |
| Name | Sony NEX-5T | Nikon D5100 |
| Manufacturer | Sony | Nikon |
Release Date and Price |
Sony NEX-5T |
Nikon D5100 |
| Release Year | 2013 | 2011 |
| Release Date | 2013-08-27 | 2011-04-05 |
| MSRP | 549 USD | 359 USD |
| Buy it today |
|
|
Camera Type |
Sony NEX-5T |
Nikon D5100 |
| Camera Type | Mirrorless | DSLR |
Sensor |
Sony NEX-5T |
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 | 4912 x 3264 pixels | 4928 x 3264 pixels |
| Megapixels | 16 MP | 16,2 MP |
| Image Processor | Bionz | EXPEED 2 |
Image |
Sony NEX-5T |
Nikon D5100 |
| ISO Range | 100 - 25600 | 100 - 6400 |
| 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-5T |
Nikon D5100 |
| Autofocus Motor | Yes | No |
| 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 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-5T |
Nikon D5100 |
| Articulated LCD | Tilting | Fully articulated |
| Screen size | 3” | 3# |
| Screen dots | 921600 | 921000 |
| Touch screen | Yes | No |
| Screen type | Tilt Up 180° Down 50° TFT LCD | TFT LCD monitor |
| Live view | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder Type | Electronic (Optional) | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 95% | |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 0.78× (0.52× 35mm equiv.) | |
| Viewfinder Resolution | 0 | N/A |
Photography features |
Sony NEX-5T |
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 | 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 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 NEX-5T |
Nikon D5100 |
| Video recording | Yes | Yes |
| Video format |
MPEG4 H.264 AVCHD |
MPEG4 |
| Video resolution |
1920 x 1080 |
1280 x 720 1920 x 1080 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Speakers | Yes | Yes |
Storage |
Sony NEX-5T |
Nikon D5100 |
| Memory Card |
Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC |
SD/SDHC |
Connectivity |
Sony NEX-5T |
Nikon D5100 |
| HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
| Microphone Port | No | Yes |
| Headphone Port | No | No |
| Wireless |
Yes Built-in (NFC & WiFi) |
Yes Eye-Fi Connected |
| Remote Control | No |
Yes (Optional ML-L3)
|
| GPS | No |
Yes Optional with GP-1
|
Body & Dimensions |
Sony NEX-5T |
Nikon D5100 |
| Enviromentally sealed | No | No |
| Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery Details |
Lithium-Ion NPFW50 rechargeable battery & charger
|
Lithium-Ion EN-EL14 rechargeable battery & charger
|
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 330 shots | N/A |
| Width | 111 mm | 128 mm |
| Height | 59 mm | 97 mm |
| Depth | 39 mm | 79 mm |
| Weight | 276 gram | 611 gram |