• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Nikon D5200 advantages over Sony A5100

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 2.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 500 vs 400 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Higher-res screen
    307k vs 230k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 67 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sony A5100 advantages over Nikon D5200

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    35 mm vs 78 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    399g vs 827g
    Lighter weight
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 27 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    6.0 fps vs 4.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    6.0 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    25 vs 7 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (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

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D5200

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A5100

Review Excerpt

  • Captures sharp, detailed photos with its new 24.1-megapixel CMOS sensor, even at higher ISOs; Features a familiar (D5100) but refined body design; Records Full HD video with full-time autofocus tracking; Packs a ton of advanced features into a consumer-friendly body at a great price.

  • Autofocuses a little slowly for its class and struggles at times in low light; Changing some basic settings takes more time and effort than it should; Mediocre kit lens.

  • Very small and comfortable form factor; Very good image quality for its class; New dual video record function; Quick autofocus and good dynamic range.

  • Lacks an EVF and external mode dial; No hot shoe; JPEG processing at higher ISOs not as good as some competing mid-level models.

The Competition

Compared to Sony A65

Nikon D5200
Sony A65
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Sony A5100
Sony A65
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Nikon D3200

Nikon D5200
Nikon D3200
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Bigger RAW buffer
Sony A5100
Nikon D3200
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Sony A58

Nikon D5200
Sony A58
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Sony A5100
Sony A58
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Samsung NX1100

Nikon D5200
Samsung NX1100
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Thinner
Sony A5100
Samsung NX1100
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Higher-res screen
  • Hot shoe

Compared to Sony A5000

Nikon D5200
Sony A5000
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
Sony A5100
Sony A5000
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
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