• 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 D7100 advantages over Sony A5100

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Fast startup
    ~0.30 vs 2.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 950 vs 400 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    158 mm vs 75 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Sony A5100 advantages over Nikon D7100

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Less expensive
    $448 vs $825
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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 76 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    399g vs 1222g
    Lighter weight
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 27 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    67 vs 12 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    6.0 fps vs 5.3 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    25 vs 5 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

  • 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
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D7100

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A5100

Review Excerpt

  • Solid, ergonomic body design; Stunning, highly detailed photos, thanks to 24.1MP sensor upgrade and removal of optical low-pass filter; Cool 1.3x crop mode extends reach to nearly 2x the full-frame equivalent; Records Full 1080p HD video at up to 30fps with full-time AF; Many pro-level features packed into a consumer-friendly body at reasonable price.

  • Shallow buffer that hampers continuous burst shooting; AF slightly slower than average for its class; No real-time aperture control while in Movie mode (among other quirks); More noticeable moire patterns and aliasing artifacts (but only found when shooting fabrics with strong, distinct patterns).

  • 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 Canon 70D

Nikon D7100
Canon 70D
  • $690
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $1149
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
Sony A5100
Canon 70D
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $1149
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Samsung NX1100

Nikon D7100
Samsung NX1100
  • $690
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $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 Pentax K-3

Nikon D7100
Pentax K-3
  • $690
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Sony A5100
Pentax K-3
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Nikon D5300

Nikon D7100
Nikon D5300
  • $690
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Sony A5100
Nikon D5300
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection

Compared to Sony A5000

Nikon D7100
Sony A5000
  • $690
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $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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