• APS-C 355.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • APS-C 357.3mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • Detailed specifications
  • Nikon D3100
  • Sony Alpha ILCE-A5000
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website
Nikon D3100 webpage
Manufacturer website
Sony Alpha ILCE-A5000 webpage
Predecessor:   Sony NEX-3N
NEX-3N vs A5000
Successor: Nikon D3200
D3100 vs D3200
 
General
Model Number: D3100 A5000
Alternate Model Number(s):   ILCE-5000
Camera Format: SLR Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $699.95 $599.99
Street Price:   $298.00
Date Available: 2010-09-15 2014-03-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 27.4 oz (777 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
13.7 oz (388 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 4.9 x 3.8 x 2.9 in.
(125 x 97 x 74 mm)
4.3 x 2.5 x 1.4 in.
(110 x 63 x 36 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:   Sony
Effective Megapixels: 14.2 20.1
Sensor Format: APS-C APS-C
Sensor size: 355.74mm2 (23.10mm x 15.40mm) 357.28mm2 (23.20mm x 15.40mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.01 microns 4.25 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 67 79
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 22.5 23.8
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 11.3 13.0
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 919 1,089
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4608 x 3072 (14.2 MP, 3:2),
3456 x 2304 (8.0 MP, 3:2),
2304 x 1536 (3.5 MP, 3:2)
5456 x 3632 (19.8 MP, 3:2),
5456 x 3064 (16.7 MP, 16:9),
3872 x 2576 (10.0 MP, 3:2),
3872 x 2176 (8.4 MP, 16:9),
2736 x 1824 (5.0 MP, 3:2),
2736 x 1536 (4.2 MP, 16:9),
12416 x 1856 (23.0 MP, Other),
8192 x 1856 (15.2 MP, Other),
2160 x 5536 (12.0 MP, Other),
2160 x 3872 (8.4 MP, Other)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.21), RAW (12-bit .NEF), RAW+JPEG JPEG, RAW (12-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 2.9 3.3
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (24)
1280x720 (30/​25/​24)
640x424 (24)
1920x1080 (60i or 24p (24/​17Mbps))
1440x1080 (30p/​12Mbps)
640x480 (30p/​3Mbps)
Movie File Format: MOV H.264/MPEG-4 AVCHD 2.0 / MP4; Audio: Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC, stereo
Composite Video Out: Yes No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: No n/a
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Nikon F Sony E
Lens: Nikkor AF-S DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR Sony SELP1650 PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS; 9 elements in 8 groups, 4 aspheric surfaces
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 27 - 83mm 24 - 75mm
Focal Length (actual): 18 - 55mm 16 - 50mm
Zoom Ratio: 3.00x 3.13x
Aperture Range: f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - 38 (T) f/3.5 - f/22 (W) / f/5.6 - f/36 (T); 7-blade circular aperture
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 28 cm to Infinity
11.0 in to Infinity
25 cm to Infinity
9.8 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: 52.0mm 40.5mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom: No Yes
Digital Zoom Values: n/a Up to 4x; up to 2x Clear Image Digital Zoom
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Nikon Multi-CAM 1000 11-Area Phase Detection, 1 cross-type, 9 line-type Contrast-detect AF: Multi Point (25 points)/ Center-weighted/ Flexible Spot (S/M/L)/ Zone
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD No / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.80x mag., 18mm eyepoint, -1.7 to +0.5 diopter  
Focus Peaking: No Yes
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.53x  
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.80x  
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 230,000 dots 460,800 dots (153,600 px)
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No Yes
Max Playback Zoom: 27.0x 15.1x
Top Deck Display: No No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 3200 16000
Minimum ISO (native): 100 100
ISO Settings: 100 - 3,200; expandable to 12800 Auto (100-16000), 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800, 16000
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Incandescent, Fluorescent (7 types), Direct Sunlight, Flash, Cloudy, Shade, Preset Manual;all except Preset Manual with fine tuning Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom, Color Temp./ Filter (2500-9900K with 15-step Magenta/Green compensation)
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 30 sec 1/4000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 420 segment 3D color matrix metering II, color matrix metering II, center-weighted, spot (3.5mm) 1200-zone Evaluative Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Child, Sports, Close up, Night portrait Scene Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports Action, Sunset, Night Portrait, Night Scene, Hand-held Twilight, Anti Motion Blur; Sweep Panorama; Picture Effects: Posterization (Color, B/W), Pop Color, Retro Photo, Partial Color (R, G, B, Y), High Contrast Monochrome, Toy Camera, Soft High-key, Soft Focus, HDR Painting, Rich-tone Monochrome, Miniature, Watercolor, Illustration; HDR; DRO
Self Timer: 10 or 2 seconds 2 or 10; 3 shots after 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Red-Eye Reduction, Red-Eye Reduction with Slow Sync, Slow Sync, Rear-Curtain Sync. Flash off, Auto flash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync. Red-eye reduction: On/Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. 4.0 m / 13.1 ft.
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent Lens dependent; GN = 6m (ISO 200) / 4m (ISO100)
Max Flash Sync: 1/200 1/160
Flash Exposure Compensation: -3 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: ISO hot shoe n/a
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:   No
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC / SDXC MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   UHS-I
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW (12-bit .NEF), RAW+JPEG RAW (12-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format: MOV H.264/MPEG-4 AVCHD 2.0 / MP4; Audio: Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC, stereo
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No Yes
NFC: No Yes
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: Yes No
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional, MC-DC2 corded Via Wi-Fi or optional wired RM-VPR1
Connections (extended): Type C mini-HDMI with CEC, Accessory Terminal (MC-DC2 remote cord or GP-1 GPS unit) Multi Terminal/Micro USB (with remote support)
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.55 0.78
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.54 0.81
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): Unlimited Unlimited
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):   1.04
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 2.9 3.3
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 100 15
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   2.5
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):   9
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   2.5
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):   6
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.28 seconds 0.30 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.200 seconds 0.129 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.30 seconds 0.40 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.117 seconds 0.022 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Live View: Full AF lag (AF-S or AF-F) = 1.5s Prefocused lag = 0.479s Full AF lag, wide-area mode = 0.291s
Startup Time: 0.4 seconds 2.0 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.3 seconds 1.0 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 3.5 seconds 2.4 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   420 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 550 shots  
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary EN-EL14 Proprietary
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable NP-FW50 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary EN-EL14 Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NP-FW50 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: No
Internal Charging Supported: Yes
Software
Included Software: Nikon Software Suite CD-ROM PlayMemories Home, Image Data Converter 4/Remote Camera Control
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS Windows XP/Vista/7/8; Mac OS X 10.6 or later. (PlayMemories Home is Windows only.)
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: 1080p HD movies, Quiet Shutter mode, new full-time AF in Movie mode. BIONZ X processor, built-in Wi-Fi with NFC. Available in silver, black or white.