• 1/3 inch 17.3mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • 29.00mm - 87.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 357.3mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000

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Differences

Nikon S31 advantages over Sony A5000

  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!

Sony A5000 advantages over Nikon S31

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.25 vs 1.32 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 420 vs 260 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    461k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    20.1 vs 10.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    3.3 fps vs 1.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    15 vs 4 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    16000 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • 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

Buy the Sony A5000

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Nikon S30

Nikon S31
Nikon S30
  • $89
  • 1/3 inch
  • Faster shutter
  • $120
  • 1/3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
Sony A5000
Nikon S30
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $120
  • 1/3 inch
  • Waterproof

Compared to Sony NEX-5T

Nikon S31
Sony NEX-5T
  • $89
  • 1/3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Sony A5000
Sony NEX-5T
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Internal flash
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compared to Sony A5100

Nikon S31
Sony A5100
  • $89
  • 1/3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Sony A5000
Sony A5100
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Higher effective ISO

Compared to Nikon S33

Nikon S31
Nikon S33
  • $89
  • 1/3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • $107
  • 1/3.1 inch
  • HDMI out
  • Shoots 1080p video
Sony A5000
Nikon S33
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $107
  • 1/3.1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof

Compared to Nikon W100

Nikon S31
Nikon W100
  • $89
  • 1/3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • $157
  • 1/3.1 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Built-in Bluetooth
Sony A5000
Nikon W100
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $157
  • 1/3.1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
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