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Nikon D3100 vs Sony A100

Portability
68
Imaging
54
Features
59
Overall
56
Nikon D3100 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 front
Portability
64
Imaging
49
Features
38
Overall
44

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A100 Key Specs

Nikon D3100
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Expand to 12800)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 505g - 124 x 96 x 75mm
  • Introduced December 2010
  • Earlier Model is Nikon D3000
  • New Model is Nikon D3200
Sony A100
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 638g - 133 x 95 x 71mm
  • Revealed July 2006
  • Earlier Model is Konica Minolta 5D
  • Refreshed by Sony A550
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Nikon D3100 vs Sony A100 Overview

In this write-up, we are contrasting the Nikon D3100 versus Sony A100, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Sony. There is a sizeable difference between the image resolutions of the D3100 (14MP) and A100 (10MP) but they come with the same exact sensor size (APS-C).

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The D3100 was introduced 4 years later than the A100 and that is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before getting through a full comparison, below is a concise overview of how the D3100 scores versus the A100 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon D3100 over the Sony A100

 D3100 A100 
RevealedDecember 2010July 2006More recent by 54 months
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")

Reasons to pick Sony A100 over the Nikon D3100

 A100 D3100 

Common features in the Nikon D3100 and Sony A100

 D3100 A100 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch display Neither has Touch display

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A100 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to lug around your camera frequently, you will want to factor its weight and size. The Nikon D3100 has external dimensions of 124mm x 96mm x 75mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0") with a weight of 505 grams (1.11 lbs) while the Sony A100 has specifications of 133mm x 95mm x 71mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 2.8") along with a weight of 638 grams (1.41 lbs).

Check the Nikon D3100 versus Sony A100 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Underneath is the front view dimensions comparison of the D3100 vs the A100.

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A100 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the D3100 and A100 is 68 and 64 respectively.

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A100 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A100 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its difficult to see the gap between sensor measurements merely by going over specifications. The graphic here should offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the D3100 and A100.

Plainly, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Nikon D3100 to offer you extra detail using its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop pics far more aggressively. The newer D3100 is going to have a benefit in sensor tech.

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A100 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A100 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3100 Portrait photography advice
Sony A100 Portrait photography advice
72
has manual focus
MP count decent (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
53
you can focus manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3100 as a Street photography camera
Sony A100 as a Street photography camera
58
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
65
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3100 Sports photography details
Sony A100 Sports photography details
60
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
comes with phase detect autofocus
low fps (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
49
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
doesn't have liveview
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon D3100
Travel photography with Sony A100
58
MP count decent (14MP)
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse function
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
45
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
low megapixels (10MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3100 Landscape photography highlights
Sony A100 Landscape photography highlights
65
has manual focus
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lack of image stabilization
lack of Timelapse function
53
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
small screen (2.5 inch)
doesn't have liveview
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3100 Vlogging details
Sony A100 Vlogging details
27
includes face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
lack of microphone support
9
no video recording
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Nikon D3100 vs Sony A100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3100 and Sony A100
 Nikon D3100Sony Alpha DSLR-A100
General Information
Company Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon D3100 Sony Alpha DSLR-A100
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2010-12-21 2006-07-31
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed 2 -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.1 x 15.4mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 355.7mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Full resolution 4608 x 3072 3872 x 2592
Max native ISO 3200 1600
Max boosted ISO 12800 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 9
Cross type focus points 1 -
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 309 143
Focal length multiplier 1.6 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 2.5 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x 0.55x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) -
Flash options Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/200 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format MPEG-4 -
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 505g (1.11 pounds) 638g (1.41 pounds)
Dimensions 124 x 96 x 75mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0") 133 x 95 x 71mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 67 61
DXO Color Depth rating 22.5 22.0
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.3 11.2
DXO Low light rating 919 476
Other
Battery life 550 images -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID EN-EL14 NP-FM55H
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Compact Flash (Type I or II)
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $565 $1,000