Sony NEX-7 vs Nikon D7100
This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony NEX-7 and Nikon D7100. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Sony NEX-7 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D7100 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.
Sony NEX-7 were released 2011 and Nikon D7100 was released 2013. That is a 2 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Sony NEX-7 | 2011 |
Nikon D7100 | 2013 |
Type of camera
Sony NEX-7 is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D7100 is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.
Sensors / crop factor
These cameras have different sensors. Sony NEX-7 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D7100 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-7 | 75 mm Sony APS-C sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5 |
Nikon D7100 | 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
Both these cameras have the exact same resolution. Sony NEX-7 has a 24 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D7100 has 24,1 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:
Camera | Megapixels |
Sony NEX-7 |
24 MP
24000000 pixels 6000 x 4000 |
Nikon D7100 |
24,1 MP
24000000 pixels 6000 x 4000 |
ISO range
Sony NEX-7 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D7100. Sony NEX-7 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 16000 while Nikon D7100 has 100 to 6400.
Camera | ISO Range |
Sony NEX-7 | 100-16000 |
Nikon D7100 | 100-6400 |
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 NEX-7
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D7100
Pictures per second
Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony NEX-7 can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds and Nikon D7100 can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Sony NEX-7 | 10 |
Nikon D7100 | 6 |
Ability to record movies
It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.
In this case, both Sony NEX-7 and Nikon D7100 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 D7100 weighs 675 gr (equal to 1.49 lb) which is 69% heavier than Sony NEX-7 and its 400 gr (or 0.88 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Sony NEX-7 | 400 gr 0.88 lb |
Nikon D7100 | 675 gr 1.49 lb |
Sony NEX-7 vs Nikon D7100 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony NEX-7 and Nikon D7100, 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-7 |
Nikon D7100 |
Name | Sony NEX-7 | Nikon D7100 |
Manufacturer | Sony | Nikon |
Release Date and Price |
Sony NEX-7 |
Nikon D7100 |
Release Year | 2011 | 2013 |
Release Date | 2011-08-24 | 2013-02-21 |
MSRP | 699 USD | 1199 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Sony NEX-7 |
Nikon D7100 |
Camera Type | Mirrorless | DSLR |
Sensor |
Sony NEX-7 |
Nikon D7100 |
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 | 6000 x 4000 pixels |
Megapixels | 24 MP | 24,1 MP |
Image Processor | Bionz | EXPEED 3 |
Image |
Sony NEX-7 |
Nikon D7100 |
ISO Range | 100 - 16000 | 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-7 |
Nikon D7100 |
Autofocus Motor | Yes | Yes |
Autofocus |
Contract Detect (sensor) Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous LiveView |
Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Center Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView |
Focus Points | 25 | 51 |
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-7 |
Nikon D7100 |
Articulated LCD | Tilting | Fixed |
Screen size | 3” | 3,2” |
Screen dots | 921000 | 1228800 |
Touch screen | No | No |
Screen type | N/A | Wide Viewing Angle TFT-LCD monitor |
Live view | Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder Type | Electronic | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 1.09× (0.73× 35mm equiv.) | 0.94× |
Viewfinder Resolution | N/A | N/A |
Photography features |
Sony NEX-7 |
Nikon D7100 |
Frames per second | 10 fps | 6 fps |
Minimum Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/8000 seconds |
Built-in Flash | Yes | Yes |
Built-in Flash Range | 6 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 Average |
Exposure Compensation | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV steps) | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Sony NEX-7 |
Nikon D7100 |
Video recording | Yes | Yes |
Video format |
MPEG4 AVCHD |
MPEG4 H.264 |
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 NEX-7 |
Nikon D7100 |
Memory Card |
Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC |
SD/SDHC |
Connectivity |
Sony NEX-7 |
Nikon D7100 |
HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
Microphone Port | No | Yes |
Headphone Port | No | Yes |
Wireless |
Yes Eye-Fi Connected |
Yes Wireless WR-1 and WR-R10 |
Remote Control | Yes (InfraRed (optional)) |
Yes (Optional, wired MC-DC2 or wireless WR-1 and WR-R10 )
|
GPS | No |
Yes Optional |
Body & Dimensions |
Sony NEX-7 |
Nikon D7100 |
Enviromentally sealed | No | Yes |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
Lithium-Ion NP-FW50 rechargeable battery & charger
|
Lithium-Ion EN-EL15 rechargeable battery & charger
|
Battery Life (CIPA) | 430 shots | 950 shots |
Width | 120 mm | 136 mm |
Height | 67 mm | 107 mm |
Depth | 43 mm | 76 mm |
Weight | 400 gram | 675 gram |