• APS-C 355.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  •  
  • Detailed specifications
  • Nikon D3100
  • Sony Alpha NEX-5N
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website
Nikon D3100 webpage
Manufacturer website
Predecessor:   Sony NEX-5
NEX-5 vs NEX-5N
Successor: Nikon D3200
D3100 vs D3200
Sony NEX-5R
NEX-5N vs NEX-5R
General
Model Number: D3100 NEX-5N
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: SLR Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $699.95 $699.99
Street Price:    
Date Available: 2010-09-15 2011-09-01
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 27.4 oz (777 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
16.4 oz (465 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 4.9 x 3.8 x 2.9 in.
(125 x 97 x 74 mm)
4.4 x 2.3 x 1.5 in.
(111 x 59 x 38 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:   Sony Exmor APS HD
Effective Megapixels: 14.2 16.1
Sensor Format: APS-C APS-C
Sensor size: 355.74mm2 (23.10mm x 15.40mm) 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.01 microns 4.82 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 77
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 22.5 23.6
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 11.3 12.7
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 919 1,079
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)
4912 x 3264 (16.0 MP, 3:2),
4912 x 2760 (13.6 MP, 16:9),
3568 x 2368 (8.4 MP, Other),
3568 x 2000 (7.1 MP, 16:9),
2448 x 1624 (4.0 MP, Other),
2448 x 1376 (3.4 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),
7152 x 1080 (7.7 MP, Other),
4912 x 1080 (5.3 MP, Other),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.21), RAW (12-bit .NEF), RAW+JPEG JPEG, .ARW RAW, RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 2.9 10.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (24)
1280x720 (30/​25/​24)
640x424 (24)
1920x1080 (60p/​28Mbps/​PS or 60i/​24Mbps/​FX or 60i/​17Mbps/​FH or 24p/​24Mbps/​FX or 24p/​17Mbps/​FH)
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
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 SEL1855 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 27 - 83mm 27 - 83mm
Focal Length (actual): 18 - 55mm 18 - 55mm
Zoom Ratio: 3.00x 3.06x
Aperture Range: f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - 38 (T) f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - 34 (T)
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 49.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom: No Yes
Digital Zoom Values: n/a Up to 10x Precision digital zoom with prime lens attached
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: 25-area, Center, Flexible Spot; with Face Detection
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.80x mag., 18mm eyepoint, -1.7 to +0.5 diopter (Optional FDA-EV1S XGA OLED Tru-Finder EVF or FDA-SV1 Optical Viewfinder)
Focus Peaking: No No
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 921,600 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom: 27.0x 14.0x
Top Deck Display: No No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 3200  
Minimum ISO (native): 100  
ISO Settings: 100 - 3,200; expandable to 12800 Auto (100-3200), 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800, 25600
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, Color Temp./Filter, Custom
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 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 Sweep Panorama, 3D Sweep Panorama, Anti Motion Blur, Scene Selection (Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports Action, Sunset, Night Portrait, Night View, Hand-held Twilight)
Self Timer: 10 or 2 seconds 2, 10, 10 with 3/5 shots seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes No
Flash Modes: Red-Eye Reduction, Red-Eye Reduction with Slow Sync, Slow Sync, Rear-Curtain Sync. Autoflash, Fill-flash, Rear sync., Slow sync., Red-eye reduction
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. 7.0 m / 23.0 ft.
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent Bundled flash has GN of 7m/ISO 100
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 Smart Accessory Terminal 2 (flash is detachable)
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC / SDXC MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW (12-bit .NEF), RAW+JPEG .ARW RAW, RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format: MOV H.264/MPEG-4 AVCHD 2.0 / MP4; Audio :Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC
Included Memory: No memory included  
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No
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
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional, MC-DC2 corded Optional RMT-DSLR1 IR Wireless
Connections (extended): Type C mini-HDMI with CEC, Accessory Terminal (MC-DC2 remote cord or GP-1 GPS unit) Mini HDMI (Type C), Smart Accessory Terminal 2
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.55 0.61
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.54 0.99
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):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 2.9 10.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 100 7
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):    
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):    
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.28 seconds 0.24 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 0.067 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: Multi-area AF mode = 0.251s
Startup Time: 0.4 seconds 1.9 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.3 seconds 1.1 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 3.5 seconds 2.1 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   430 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 550 shots  
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary EN-EL14 Proprietary InfoLithium NP-FW50
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable 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:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software: Nikon Software Suite CD-ROM PMB (Picture Motion Browser) , Image Data Converter S, Image Data Lightbox SR
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS Windows XP/Vista/7; Mac OS X 10.3 or later. (PMB is Windows only.)
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: 1080p HD movies, Quiet Shutter mode, new full-time AF in Movie mode. 3", 921K-dot, Tilting Touchpanel LCD, Optional XGA OLED TruFinder EVF, 1080p60 AVCHD 2.0 Videos, 10fps Full-res Burst Mode, Sweep Panorama, Hand-held Twilight, Anti-Motion Blur, Auto HDR, DRO, SD/MS Duo Media Support.