• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • APS-C 368.2mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
  • Nikon D5100
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:   Nikon D5000
D5000 vs D5100
Successor:   Nikon D5200
D5100 vs D5200
General
Model Number: DSLR-A290 D5100
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: SLR SLR
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $499.99 $899.95
Street Price:   $649.99
Date Available: 2010-07-15 2011-04-17
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 17.9 oz (508 g)
includes batteries
29.2 oz (829 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 5.0 x 3.8 x 3.1 in.
(128 x 97 x 80 mm)
5.0 x 3.8 x 3.1 in.
(128 x 97 x 79 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CCD CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony Sony
Effective Megapixels: 14.2 16.2
Sensor Format: APS-C APS-C
Sensor size: 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm) 368.16mm2 (23.60mm x 15.60mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.16 microns 4.79 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2, 16:9 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 66 80
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 22.6 23.5
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 11.5 13.6
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 615 1,183
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4592 x 3056 (14.0 MP, 3:2),
4592 x 2576 (11.8 MP, 16:9),
3408 x 2272 (7.7 MP, 3:2),
3408 x 1920 (6.5 MP, 16:9),
2288 x 1520 (3.5 MP, Other),
2288 x 1280 (2.9 MP, Other)
4928 x 3264 (16.1 MP, Other),
3696 x 2448 (9.0 MP, Other),
2464 x 1632 (4.0 MP, Other)
Image File Format: JPEG, RAW JPEG (EXIF 2.3), NEF (RAW) 14-bits, RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 2.4 3.9
Video Capture
Can take movies: No Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (30/​25/​24)
1280x720 (30/​25/​24)
640x424 (30/​25)
Movie File Format:   MOV H.264/MPEG-4
Composite Video Out: No Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: n/a Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a Yes
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Sony Alpha (Minolta A) Nikon F
Lens: Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAM NIKKOR AF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G DX VR
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 27 - 83mm 27 - 83mm
Focal Length (actual): 18 - 55mm 18 - 55mm
Zoom Ratio: 3.00x 3.00x
Aperture Range: f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - 36 (T) f/3.5 -22 (W), f/5.6 -36 (T)
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:   28 cm to Infinity
11.0 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: 55.0mm 52.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No Yes
Digital Zoom: No No
Digital Zoom Values: n/a n/a
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 9-point TTL phase detection (one cross-type sensor) with eye-start AF 11 point TTL phase detection with 3D focus tracking by Nikon Multi-CAM 1000; Single-point, Dynamic and Auto Area modes. One cross-type sensor.
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD (playback only) Optical / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.83x mag., 16.5mm eyepoint, -2.5 to +1.0 diopter SLR type; eye-level pentamirror, ~95% coverage, ~0.78x magnification (50mm f/1.4 lens and infinity, -1.0m^1), 17.9mm eyepoint (-1.0m^1), -1.7 to +0.7 diopter
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.55x 0.52x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.83x 0.78x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 2.7 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 230,400 dots 921,600 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No Yes
Selfie Screen: No Yes
Max Playback Zoom: 14.0x 31.0x
Top Deck Display: No No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 3200 6400
Minimum ISO (native): 100 100
ISO Settings: Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 Auto, 100-6400, Hi-1=12800, Hi-2=25600
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom Auto, Incandescent, Fluorescent (7), Direct Sunlight, Flash, Cloudy, Shade, Manual
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 30 sec 1/4000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 40-segment honeycomb pattern, center-weighted, spot 3D Color Matrix Metering II (420-pixel RGB), Center-weighted (75% given to 8mm circle in the center), Spot (3.5mm circle (2.5%) centered on selected focus point)
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports, Sunset, Night Portrait/Night View Portrait, Landscape, Child, Sports, Close up, Scene (Party/indoor, Beach/snow, Sunset, Dusk/dawn, Pet portrait, Candlelight, Blossom, Autumn colors, Food, Night portrait, Night landscape), Special Effects (Stills or D-movies: Silhouette, Selective Color, Night Vision, High Key, Low Key, Miniature Effect, Color Sketch).
Self Timer: 2 or 10 seconds 2, 5, 10, 20 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Auto, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Wireless, High-Speed sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off Auto, auto with red-eye reduction, auto slow sync, auto slow sync with red-eye reduction, fill-flash, red-eye reduction, slow sync, slow sync with red-eye reduction, rear-curtain with slow sync, rear-curtain sync, off; 18-300mm coveraqge
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a 12.0 m / 39.4 ft.
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent Lens dependent
Max Flash Sync: 1/160 1/200
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps -3 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot shoe Hot shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control: Full TTL exposure  
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: MS Duo / MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   UHS-I
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW NEF (RAW) 14-bits, RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format:   MOV H.264/MPEG-4
Included Memory:   No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No Yes
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional wireless Optional ML-L3 IR Remote or MC-DC2 Remote Cord
Connections (extended): DC input, min-HDMI HDMI Out (with CEC), Accessory Terminal for Wired Remote (MC-DC2) or GPS (GP-1), 3.5mm Stereo Mic Jack; DC-input via dummy battery AC adapter.
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.50 0.73
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.46 0.77
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 5 Unlimited
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):   0.77
Camera penalizes early shutter press? Yes No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 2.4 3.9
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 18 100
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   4.0
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):   13
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   3.9
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):   9
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.20 seconds 0.27 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):   1.28 seconds
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):   0.488 seconds
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.182 seconds 0.248 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.22 seconds 0.29 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.107 seconds 0.114 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Full AF lag, Auto Area = 0.200s Optical Viewfinder: Wide-area AF: 0.408s Live View: Full AF lag: 1.28s Prefocused: 0.49s
Startup Time: 0.5 seconds 0.5 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.4 seconds 0.4 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power:   4.0 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):    
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 500 shots 660 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NP-FH50 Proprietary EN-EL14
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NP-FH50 Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary EN-EL14 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software: Software/USB Driver CD-ROM ViewNX 2 CD-ROM
OS Compatibility: Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7, Mac OS X (v. 10.4+) Windows, Mac OS
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: 3" Vari-angle 921K-dot LCD, Full HD Videos (up to 1920x1080@30fps), In-camera Special Effects, Night Vision mode, HDR, Active D-Lighting, 3.5mm External Stereo Mic socket.