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Nikon D3100 vs Sony A330

Portability
68
Imaging
54
Features
59
Overall
56
Nikon D3100 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A330 front
Portability
67
Imaging
50
Features
50
Overall
50

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A330 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
  • Announced December 2010
  • Succeeded the Nikon D3000
  • Replacement is Nikon D3200
Sony A330
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 529g - 128 x 97 x 71mm
  • Revealed May 2009
  • Earlier Model is Sony A300
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Nikon D3100 vs Sony A330 Overview

Below is a comprehensive review of the Nikon D3100 versus Sony A330, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Sony. There exists a large gap between the resolutions of the D3100 (14MP) and A330 (10MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The D3100 was brought out 20 months later than the A330 making them a generation apart from one another. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before we go right into a thorough comparison, here is a brief overview of how the D3100 grades against the A330 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3100 over the Sony A330

 D3100 A330 
RevealedDecember 2010May 2009More recent by 20 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Sony A330 over the Nikon D3100

 A330 D3100 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Nikon D3100 and Sony A330

 D3100 A330 
Focus manually More precise focusing
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither offers Touch friendly display

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A330 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to lug around your camera, you will need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D3100 offers exterior measurements of 124mm x 96mm x 75mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0") along with a weight of 505 grams (1.11 lbs) whilst the Sony A330 has dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 529 grams (1.17 lbs).

See the Nikon D3100 versus Sony A330 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have at that time. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the D3100 vs the A330.

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A330 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the D3100 and A330 is 68 and 67 respectively.

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A330 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A330 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very tough to imagine the contrast between sensor measurements just by reading through specs. The graphic underneath should give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the D3100 and A330.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different resolution. You can anticipate the Nikon D3100 to give more detail having its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop images more aggressively. The fresher D3100 provides an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A330 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A330 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A330 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3100 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A330 as a Portrait photography camera
72
focusing manually
MP count good (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect focusing
saves RAW files
62
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
low MP (10MP)
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3100 as a Street photography camera
Sony A330 as a Street photography camera
58
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
75
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3100 Sports photography details
Sony A330 Sports photography details
60
MP count good (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking focus
supports phase detect AF
max frames per second low (3.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
50
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
max fps low (3.0 fps)
low MP (10 megapixels)
low battery pack (230 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D3100 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A330 as a Travel photography camera
58
MP count good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse recording
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
44
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
low battery pack (230 CIPA)
low MP (10 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3100 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A330 as a Landscape photography camera
65
focusing manually
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
MP count good (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
does not have image stabilization
missing Time Lapse recording
54
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
low MP (10 megapixels)
low battery pack (230 per charge)
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3100 Vlogging highlights
Sony A330 Vlogging highlights
27
has face detect focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
missing mic port
9
can't record video
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Nikon D3100 vs Sony A330 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3100 and Sony A330
 Nikon D3100Sony Alpha DSLR-A330
General Information
Brand Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon D3100 Sony Alpha DSLR-A330
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2010-12-21 2009-05-18
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed 2 Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.1 x 15.4mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 355.7mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3072 3872 x 2592
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO 12800 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 9
Cross type focus points 1 -
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 309 143
Crop factor 1.6 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x 0.49x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m
Flash options Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/200 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video file format MPEG-4 -
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 505g (1.11 lb) 529g (1.17 lb)
Physical dimensions 124 x 96 x 75mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0") 128 x 97 x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 67 64
DXO Color Depth rating 22.5 22.4
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.3 11.5
DXO Low light rating 919 535
Other
Battery life 550 pictures 230 pictures
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL14 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots One One
Launch price $565 $545