Nikon Df vs Sony A5100

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Nikon Df vs Sony A5100

35mm 860.4mm²
16.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Nikon Df Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon Df in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the Df.
Compare Nikon Df image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon Df conclusion.

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

Go in depth with our full Sony A5100 Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A5100 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A5100.
Compare Sony A5100 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A5100 conclusion.

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Differences

Nikon Df advantages over Sony A5100

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Bigger pixels
~ 7.31 vs 3.92 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.55 vs 2.0 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
Df test data on DxO Mark A5100 test data on DxO Mark

3,279 vs 1,347 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

1400 vs 400 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
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
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 67 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
204800 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sony A5100 advantages over Nikon Df

Less expensive
$448 vs $2997
Save money for lenses or accessories
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
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
More telephoto lens reach
75 mm vs 50 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Thinner
35 mm vs 66 mm
Thinner
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Lighter weight
399g vs 983g
Lighter weight
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
More pixels
24.3 vs 16.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Wider angle kit lens
24 mm vs 50 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens
Faster JPEG shooting
6.0 fps vs 5.4 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
6.0 fps vs 5.4 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Similarities

Common Strengths

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
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read Df User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A5100 User Reviews

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Buy the Nikon Df

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 50mm f/1.8 lens

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A5100

Body Only (Black)

Body Only (Black)
Kit with 16-50mm Lens (Black)
Kit with 16-50mm Lens (White)

All A5100 Deals

Review Excerpt

Same sensor and processor as professional D4; Great image quality; Arguably the best available-light shooter in its class; Handsome, retro styling; Weather-sealed design; Big, clear full-frame viewfinder; Excellent battery life
Expensive; Bulky, yet handgrip is quite modest; Some controls are clumsy; Plastic body panels don't gel with retro aesthetic; Autofocus isn't in the same league as image quality; No AF assist lamp; No movie capture; No portrait grip; Single card slot
Read our Nikon Df Review

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.
Read our Sony A5100 Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Nikon Df

Canon 5D Mark III

$2747
35mm

Bigger pixels
Higher effective ISO

$2139
35mm

Less expensive
External Mic Jack

Compare Nikon Df vs Canon 5D Mark III

Sony A5100

Canon 5D Mark III

$348
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$2139
35mm

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Sony A5100 vs Canon 5D Mark III

Compared to Sony A99

Nikon Df

Sony A99

$2747
35mm

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

$1998
35mm

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon Df vs Sony A99

Sony A5100

Sony A99

$348
APS-C

Touchscreen
Built-in Wi-Fi

$1998
35mm

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A5100 vs Sony A99

Compared to Canon 6D

Nikon Df

Canon 6D

$2747
35mm

Higher effective ISO
Longer stills battery life

$1699
35mm

Less expensive
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Nikon Df vs Canon 6D

Sony A5100

Canon 6D

$348
APS-C

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$1699
35mm

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Sony A5100 vs Canon 6D

Compared to Samsung NX1100

Nikon Df

Samsung NX1100

$2747
35mm

Lens selection
Larger sensor

$450
APS-C

Built-in Wi-Fi
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Nikon Df vs Samsung NX1100

Sony A5100

Samsung NX1100

$348
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$450
APS-C

Higher-res screen
Hot shoe

Compare Sony A5100 vs Samsung NX1100

Compared to Sony A5000

Nikon Df

Sony A5000

$2747
35mm

Lens selection
Larger sensor

$298
APS-C

Focus peaking
Less expensive

Compare Nikon Df vs Sony A5000

Sony A5100

Sony A5000

$348
APS-C

Touchscreen
Higher effective ISO

$298
APS-C

Less expensive

Compare Sony A5100 vs Sony A5000

Compare Other Cameras?