• APS-C 355.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000

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Differences

Nikon D3100 advantages over Sony NEX-7

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Less expensive
    $700 vs $1350 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.01 vs 3.92 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.40 vs 1.2 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 550 vs 430 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 18 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sony NEX-7 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
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,016 vs 919 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    13.4 vs 11.2 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Thinner
    42 mm vs 74 mm
    Thinner
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Lighter weight
    560g vs 777g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • 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
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 2.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

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

  • 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 Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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
  • 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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Your purchases support this site

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony NEX-7

Review Excerpt

  • 24.3-megapixel sensor with excellent image quality; Small body; Exceptional user interface; Full HD 60p video; Electronic viewfinder and flash are built-in.

  • No Mode dial; Flash sync is a touch slow; No UHS-I card support; Needs a better kit lens to match the sensor quality.

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 NEX-7
Sony DSLR-A380
  • $1248
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • 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 NEX-7
Sony A33
  • $1248
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • 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 NEX-7
Pentax K-r
  • $1248
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compared to Samsung NX200

Nikon D3100
Samsung NX200
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • More dynamic range
  • Thinner
Sony NEX-7
Samsung NX200
  • $1248
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive

Compared to Samsung NX300

Nikon D3100
Samsung NX300
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $1200
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
Sony NEX-7
Samsung NX300
  • $1248
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $1200
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
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