• APS-C 355.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000

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Differences

Nikon D3100 advantages over Sony A65

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Less expensive
    $700 vs $1000 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.01 vs 3.95 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.40 vs 2.8 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    919 vs 717 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise

Sony A65 advantages over Nikon D3100

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • More dynamic range
    12.6 vs 11.2 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More cross-type AF points
    3 vs 1
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Less shutter lag
    0.14 vs 0.28 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.73x vs 0.53x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 14.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • More AF points
    15 vs 11
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 2.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Buy the Sony A65

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSLR-A380

Nikon D3100
Sony DSLR-A380
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
Sony A65
Sony DSLR-A380
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony A33

Nikon D3100
Sony A33
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas
Sony A65
Sony A33
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Pentax K-r

Nikon D3100
Pentax K-r
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Fast startup
Sony A65
Pentax K-r
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compared to Nikon D3200

Nikon D3100
Nikon D3200
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dynamic range
Sony A65
Nikon D3200
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compared to Nikon D5200

Nikon D3100
Nikon D5200
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • $590
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Higher effective ISO
Sony A65
Nikon D5200
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $590
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
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