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Nikon D3100 vs Sony A350

Portability
68
Imaging
54
Features
59
Overall
56
Nikon D3100 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A350 front
Portability
62
Imaging
53
Features
47
Overall
50

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A350 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
  • Earlier Model is Nikon D3000
  • Successor is Nikon D3200
Sony A350
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 674g - 131 x 99 x 75mm
  • Revealed June 2008
  • Updated by Sony A380
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Nikon D3100 vs Sony A350 Overview

Its time to take a deeper look at the Nikon D3100 and Sony A350, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Sony. The image resolution of the D3100 (14MP) and the A350 (14MP) is fairly similar and both cameras posses the identical sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The D3100 was unveiled 2 years after the A350 which is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before delving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a short introduction of how the D3100 grades vs the A350 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3100 over the Sony A350

 D3100 A350 
RevealedDecember 2010June 2008Newer by 31 months
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Sony A350 over the Nikon D3100

 A350 D3100 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Nikon D3100 and Sony A350

 D3100 A350 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A350 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to travel with your camera, you will need to think about its weight and volume. The Nikon D3100 enjoys exterior measurements of 124mm x 96mm x 75mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0") with a weight of 505 grams (1.11 lbs) and the Sony A350 has sizing of 131mm x 99mm x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") having a weight of 674 grams (1.49 lbs).

Examine the Nikon D3100 and Sony A350 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the D3100 and the A350.

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A350 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the D3100 and A350 is 68 and 62 respectively.

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A350 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A350 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's hard to visualize the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by reviewing a spec sheet. The pic below might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the D3100 and A350.

Clearly, the 2 cameras come with the identical sensor size and the identical MP so you should expect similar quality of photos although you really should consider the production date of the products into consideration. The fresher D3100 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A350 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A350 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A350 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3100 Portrait photography features
Sony A350 Portrait photography features
72
manual focus
decent MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides face detection focusing
exports RAW files
71
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3100 as a Street photography camera
Sony A350 as a Street photography camera
58
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
66
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
heavier than competition in class (674g)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3100 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A350 as a Sports photography camera
60
decent MP (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
supports phase detect AF
max frames per second low (3.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
max fps low (3.0 fps)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D3100 Travel photography details
Sony A350 Travel photography details
58
decent MP (14MP)
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse recording
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
51
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
flash built-in
no Time Lapse function
heavier than competition in class (674 grams)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3100 Landscape photography information
Sony A350 Landscape photography information
65
manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
decent MP (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
does not have Time Lapse recording
64
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3100 Vlogging advice
Sony A350 Vlogging advice
27
provides face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
does not have external mic socket
9
can't shoot video
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Nikon D3100 vs Sony A350 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3100 and Sony A350
 Nikon D3100Sony Alpha DSLR-A350
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon D3100 Sony Alpha DSLR-A350
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2010-12-21 2008-06-06
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor 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 area 355.7mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3072 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Highest enhanced ISO 12800 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 11 9
Cross type focus points 1 -
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 309 143
Focal length multiplier 1.6 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 95 percent
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 rate 3.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/200 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format MPEG-4 -
Mic port
Headphone port
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) 674g (1.49 pounds)
Physical dimensions 124 x 96 x 75mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0") 131 x 99 x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 67 65
DXO Color Depth rating 22.5 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.3 11.5
DXO Low light rating 919 595
Other
Battery life 550 images -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery ID EN-EL14 -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC Compact Flash (Type I or II), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, UDMA Mode 5, Supports FAT12 / FAT16 / FAT32
Card slots Single Single
Launch cost $565 $600