• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.1 megapixels
  • 26.00mm - 130.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 365.0mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800

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Differences

Nikon S3100 advantages over Sony A35

  • Less expensive
    $140 vs $700 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Thinner
    18 mm vs 84 mm
    Thinner

Sony A35 advantages over Nikon S3100

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    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
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.76 vs 1.43 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 420 vs 220 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 3200 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

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • 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

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Sony A55

Nikon S3100
Sony A55
  • $140
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $734
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Sony A35
Sony A55
  • $567
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $734
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in GPS

Compared to Sony A33

Nikon S3100
Sony A33
  • $140
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Sony A35
Sony A33
  • $567
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compared to Pentax RS1000

Nikon S3100
Pentax RS1000
  • $140
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $117
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Higher extended ISO
Sony A35
Pentax RS1000
  • $567
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $117
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compared to Nikon S4100

Nikon S3100
Nikon S4100
  • $140
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $180
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen
Sony A35
Nikon S4100
  • $567
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $180
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compared to Sony W620

Nikon S3100
Sony W620
  • $140
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $143
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
Sony A35
Sony W620
  • $567
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $143
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
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