Sony A5100 vs Nikon D7500

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Sony A5100 vs Nikon D7500

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.

APS-C 369.0mm²
20.9 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Nikon D7500 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D7500 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D7500.
Compare Nikon D7500 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D7500 conclusion.

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Differences

Sony A5100 advantages over Nikon D7500

Less expensive
$448 vs $1197
Save money for lenses or accessories
Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
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 72 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
399g vs 1197g
Lighter weight
More pixels
24.3 vs 20.9 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Nikon D7500 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
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Fast startup
~0.20 vs 2.0 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
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.
D7500 test data on DxO Mark A5100 test data on DxO Mark

1,483 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

950 vs 400 shots
Capture more photos
More telephoto lens reach
120 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
Newer
7 years vs 10 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
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
Less shutter lag
0.07 vs 0.23 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Faster JPEG shooting
8.2 fps vs 6.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
8.2 fps vs 6.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
47 vs 25 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
1638400 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Tiltable Screen
Both provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
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 GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A5100 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D7500 User Reviews

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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

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D7500

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 16-80mm lens
Kit with 18-140mm lens
Kit with 18-300mm lens

All D7500 Deals

Review Excerpt

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

New carbon fiber body is light, compact and very comfortable; Same excellent image quality as the flagship D500; Quick 8.2 frames per second burst shooting with generous buffer; Very fast, accurate autofocus; Tilting touch-screen display; Very good battery life; Records ultra high-def 4K and 60fps Full HD too.
Only a single flash card slot; Doesn't support portrait / battery grip accessories; No rear infrared receiver any more; non-CPU AI lenses will be manual only; 4K video comes with a heavy crop; Movie AF is prone to hunting, Extended ISO sensitivities are a gimmick.
Read our Nikon D7500 Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7200

Sony A5100

Nikon D7200

$348
APS-C

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$1043
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony A5100 vs Nikon D7200

Nikon D7500

Nikon D7200

$930
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$1043
APS-C

NFC
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Nikon D7500 vs Nikon D7200

Compared to 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

Nikon D7500

Samsung NX1100

$930
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

$450
APS-C

Thinner
Lighter weight

Compare Nikon D7500 vs Samsung NX1100

Compared to Sony NEX-5T

Sony A5100

Sony NEX-5T

$348
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
Longer stills battery life

$299
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Higher-res screen

Compare Sony A5100 vs Sony NEX-5T

Nikon D7500

Sony NEX-5T

$930
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

$299
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon D7500 vs Sony NEX-5T

Compared to Sony A5000

Sony A5100

Sony A5000

$348
APS-C

Touchscreen
Higher effective ISO

$298
APS-C

Less expensive

Compare Sony A5100 vs Sony A5000

Nikon D7500

Sony A5000

$930
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

$298
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D7500 vs Sony A5000

Compared to Canon 80D

Sony A5100

Canon 80D

$348
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$935
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A5100 vs Canon 80D

Nikon D7500

Canon 80D

$930
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Fast startup

$935
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D7500 vs Canon 80D

Compare Other Cameras?