Sony ZV-E1 vs Nikon D5100
This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony ZV-E1 and Nikon D5100. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Sony ZV-E1 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D5100 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.
Sony ZV-E1 were released 2023 and Nikon D5100 was released 2011. That is a 12 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.| Camera | Released |
| Sony ZV-E1 | 2023 |
| Nikon D5100 | 2011 |
Type of camera
Sony ZV-E1 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 ZV-E1 has a "Sony Full Frame"-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 ZV-E1 | 50 mm Full-frame sensor No crop factor/focal length multiplier |
| 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 ZV-E1 has a 12 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 ZV-E1 |
12 MP
12007680 pixels 4240 x 2832 |
| Nikon D5100 |
16,2 MP
16084992 pixels 4928 x 3264 |
Nikon D5100 has a 34 % larger resolution than Sony ZV-E1. 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 ZV-E1 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D5100. Sony ZV-E1 has an ISO range that stretches from 80 to 102400 while Nikon D5100 has 100 to 6400.
| Camera | ISO Range |
| Sony ZV-E1 | 80-102400 |
| Nikon D5100 | 100-6400 |
Autofocus and lens compatibility
There is a big difference between these two cameras. Sony ZV-E1 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 ZV-E1
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 ZV-E1 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 ZV-E1 | 1 |
| 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 ZV-E1 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 27% heavier than Sony ZV-E1 and its 483 gr (or 1.06 lb).
| Camera | Weight |
| Sony ZV-E1 | 483 gr 1.06 lb |
| Nikon D5100 | 611 gr 1.35 lb |
Sony ZV-E1 vs Nikon D5100 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony ZV-E1 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 ZV-E1 |
Nikon D5100 |
| Name | Sony ZV-E1 | Nikon D5100 |
| Manufacturer | Sony | Nikon |
Release Date and Price |
Sony ZV-E1 |
Nikon D5100 |
| Release Year | 2023 | 2011 |
| Release Date | 2023-03-29 | 2011-04-05 |
| MSRP | 2199 USD | 359 USD |
| Buy it today |
|
|
Camera Type |
Sony ZV-E1 |
Nikon D5100 |
| Camera Type | Mirrorless | DSLR |
Sensor |
Sony ZV-E1 |
Nikon D5100 |
| Sensor Size | Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) |
APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm) Also known as "DX" |
| Sensor Type | BSI-CMOS | CMOS |
| Resolution | 4240 x 2832 pixels | 4928 x 3264 pixels |
| Megapixels | 12 MP | 16,2 MP |
| Image Processor | BIONZ XR | EXPEED 2 |
Image |
Sony ZV-E1 |
Nikon D5100 |
| ISO Range | 80 - 102400 | 100 - 6400 |
| White Balance Presets | 7 | 12 |
| Custom White Balance | Yes | Yes |
| Image Stabilization |
Yes (Sensor-Shift (5-axis)) |
No |
| Image Stabilization CIPA Rating | 5 stops | 0 stops |
| Uncompressed format | RAW | RAW |
Optics & Focus |
Sony ZV-E1 |
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 | 759 | 11 |
| Lens Mount |
Sony E See Compatible Lenses |
Nikon F See Compatible Lenses |
| Focal Length Multiplier |
Full frame No multiplier Example: 24 mm remains 24 mm 50 mm remains 50 mm 100 mm remains 100 mm 200 mm remains 200 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 ZV-E1 |
Nikon D5100 |
| Articulated LCD | Fully articulated | Fully articulated |
| Screen size | 3” | 3# |
| Screen dots | 1036800 | 921000 |
| Touch screen | Yes | No |
| Screen type | TFT LCD | 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 ZV-E1 |
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 Average |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
| Exposure Compensation | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Sony ZV-E1 |
Nikon D5100 |
| Video recording | Yes | Yes |
| Video format |
MPEG4 H.264 H.265 XAVC-S XAVC-HS |
MPEG4 |
| Video resolution |
1920 x 1080 3840 x 2160 |
1280 x 720 1920 x 1080 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Speakers | Yes | Yes |
Storage |
Sony ZV-E1 |
Nikon D5100 |
| Memory Card |
SD/SDHC |
SD/SDHC |
Connectivity |
Sony ZV-E1 |
Nikon D5100 |
| HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
| Microphone Port | Yes | Yes |
| Headphone Port | Yes | No |
| Wireless |
Yes Built-in (802.11ac (dual band) + Bluetooth) |
Yes Eye-Fi Connected |
| Remote Control | Yes (wireless or smartphone) |
Yes (Optional ML-L3)
|
| GPS | No |
Yes Optional with GP-1
|
Body & Dimensions |
Sony ZV-E1 |
Nikon D5100 |
| Enviromentally sealed | Yes | No |
| Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery Details |
NP-FZ100 lithium-ion battery charger
|
Lithium-Ion EN-EL14 rechargeable battery & charger
|
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 570 shots | N/A |
| Width | 121 mm | 128 mm |
| Height | 72 mm | 97 mm |
| Depth | 54 mm | 79 mm |
| Weight | 483 gram | 611 gram |