• APS-C 368.2mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  •  
  • Detailed specifications
  • Nikon D5100
  • Sony Alpha NEX-5N
Links
Prices: Compare Prices  
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Nikon D5000
D5000 vs D5100
Sony NEX-5
NEX-5 vs NEX-5N
Successor: Nikon D5200
D5100 vs D5200
Sony NEX-5R
NEX-5N vs NEX-5R
General
Model Number: D5100 NEX-5N
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: SLR Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $899.95 $699.99
Street Price: $649.99  
Date Available: 2011-04-17 2011-09-01
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 29.2 oz (829 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
16.4 oz (465 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 5.0 x 3.8 x 3.1 in.
(128 x 97 x 79 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 Sony Exmor APS HD
Effective Megapixels: 16.2 16.1
Sensor Format: APS-C APS-C
Sensor size: 368.16mm2 (23.60mm x 15.60mm) 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 4.79 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: 80 77
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 23.5 23.6
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 13.6 12.7
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 1,183 1,079
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4928 x 3264 (16.1 MP, Other),
3696 x 2448 (9.0 MP, Other),
2464 x 1632 (4.0 MP, Other)
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 2.3), NEF (RAW) 14-bits, RAW+JPEG JPEG, .ARW RAW, RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 3.9 10.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (30/​25/​24)
1280x720 (30/​25/​24)
640x424 (30/​25)
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: Yes n/a
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Nikon F Sony E
Lens: NIKKOR AF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G DX 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 -36 (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: 11 point TTL phase detection with 3D focus tracking by Nikon Multi-CAM 1000; Single-point, Dynamic and Auto Area modes. One cross-type sensor. 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, ~0.78x magnification (50mm f/1.4 lens and infinity, -1.0m^1), 17.9mm eyepoint (-1.0m^1), -1.7 to +0.7 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): 0.52x  
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.78x  
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 921,600 dots 921,600 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: Yes Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: Yes
Selfie Screen: Yes
Max Playback Zoom: 31.0x 14.0x
Top Deck Display: No No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 6400  
Minimum ISO (native): 100  
ISO Settings: Auto, 100-6400, Hi-1=12800, Hi-2=25600 Auto (100-3200), 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800, 25600
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Incandescent, Fluorescent (7), Direct Sunlight, Flash, Cloudy, Shade, Manual 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: 3D Color Matrix Metering II (420-pixel RGB), Center-weighted (75% given to 8mm circle in the center), Spot (3.5mm circle (2.5%) centered on selected focus point) 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, Scene (Party/indoor, Beach/snow, Sunset, Dusk/dawn, Pet portrait, Candlelight, Blossom, Autumn colors, Food, Night portrait, Night landscape), Special Effects (Stills or D-movies: Silhouette, Selective Color, Night Vision, High Key, Low Key, Miniature Effect, Color Sketch). 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: 2, 5, 10, 20 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: Auto, auto with red-eye reduction, auto slow sync, auto slow sync with red-eye reduction, fill-flash, red-eye reduction, slow sync, slow sync with red-eye reduction, rear-curtain with slow sync, rear-curtain sync, off; 18-300mm coveraqge 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: 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: UHS-I  
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: NEF (RAW) 14-bits, 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: Yes 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 ML-L3 IR Remote or MC-DC2 Remote Cord Optional RMT-DSLR1 IR Wireless
Connections (extended): HDMI Out (with CEC), Accessory Terminal for Wired Remote (MC-DC2) or GPS (GP-1), 3.5mm Stereo Mic Jack; DC-input via dummy battery AC adapter. Mini HDMI (Type C), Smart Accessory Terminal 2
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.73 0.61
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.77 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): 0.77  
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 3.9 10.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 100 7
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 4.0  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): 13  
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 3.9  
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): 9  
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.27 seconds 0.24 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR): 1.28 seconds  
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR): 0.488 seconds  
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.248 seconds 0.067 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.29 seconds 0.40 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.114 seconds 0.022 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Optical Viewfinder: Wide-area AF: 0.408s Live View: Full AF lag: 1.28s Prefocused: 0.49s Full AF lag: Multi-area AF mode = 0.251s
Startup Time: 0.5 seconds 1.9 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.4 seconds 1.1 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 4.0 seconds 2.1 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   430 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 660 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: Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software: ViewNX 2 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: 3" Vari-angle 921K-dot LCD, Full HD Videos (up to 1920x1080@30fps), In-camera Special Effects, Night Vision mode, HDR, Active D-Lighting, 3.5mm External Stereo Mic socket. 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.