• APS-C 355.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • APS-C 357.3mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000

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Differences

Nikon D3100 advantages over Sony A5000

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.01 vs 4.25 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.40 vs 2.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 550 vs 420 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 15 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sony A5000 advantages over Nikon D3100

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,089 vs 919 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    13.0 vs 11.2 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Thinner
    35 mm vs 74 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    388g vs 777g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    461k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    20.1 vs 14.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 27 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    3.3 fps vs 2.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • 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 A5000

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 A5000
Sony DSLR-A380
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

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 A5000
Sony A33
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

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 A5000
Pentax K-r
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Sony NEX-5T

Nikon D3100
Sony NEX-5T
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
Sony A5000
Sony NEX-5T
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Internal flash
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compared to Sony A5100

Nikon D3100
Sony A5100
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
Sony A5000
Sony A5100
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Higher effective ISO
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