Nikon D3100 vs Sony A380
68 Imaging
53 Features
59 Overall
55


68 Imaging
53 Features
54 Overall
53
Nikon D3100 vs Sony A380 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200 (Bump to 12800)
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon F Mount
- 505g - 124 x 96 x 75mm
- Announced December 2010
- Succeeded the Nikon D3000
- Updated by Nikon D3200
(Full Review)

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A380 Overview
Here is a detailed comparison of the Nikon D3100 and Sony A380, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by brands Nikon and Sony. The resolution of the D3100 (14MP) and the A380 (14MP) is pretty comparable and they use the same exact sensor measurements (APS-C).

The D3100 was revealed 17 months later than the A380 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact SLR).
Before delving in to a thorough comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the D3100 matches up against the A380 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A380 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon D3100 and Sony Alpha DSLR-A380. The full galleries are viewable at Nikon D3100 Gallery and Sony A380 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D3100 over the Sony A380
D3100 | A380 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | December 2010 | ![]() | August 2009 | Fresher by 17 months |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Reasons to pick Sony A380 over the Nikon D3100
A380 | D3100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Common features in the Nikon D3100 and Sony A380
D3100 | A380 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial precise focus | ||
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Identical screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither contains selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Absent Touch screen |
Nikon D3100 vs Sony A380 Physical Comparison
If you're planning to carry your camera often, you are going to need to take into account its weight and volume. The Nikon D3100 has got external measurements of 124mm x 96mm x 75mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0") with a weight of 505 grams (1.11 lbs) whilst the Sony A380 has sizing of 128mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 519 grams (1.14 lbs).
Check the Nikon D3100 and Sony A380 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the D3100 and the A380.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the D3100 and A380 is 68 and 68 respectively.

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A380 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it can be tough to picture the contrast in sensor sizing purely by checking out specifications. The graphic underneath might give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the D3100 and A380.
To sum up, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the same exact megapixels and you should expect comparable quality of photos although you should really factor the release date of the cameras into account. The more modern D3100 provides an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A380 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A380 Specifications
Nikon D3100 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Nikon | Sony |
Model | Nikon D3100 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 |
Type | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
Announced | 2010-12-21 | 2009-08-24 |
Physical type | Compact SLR | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Expeed 2 | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 23.1 x 15.4mm | 23.6 x 15.8mm |
Sensor surface area | 355.7mm² | 372.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4608 x 3072 | 4592 x 3056 |
Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 3200 |
Maximum boosted ISO | 12800 | - |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | 9 |
Cross focus points | 1 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Nikon F | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Number of lenses | 309 | 143 |
Crop factor | 1.6 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen diagonal | 3 inch | 2.7 inch |
Screen resolution | 230k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Screen tech | TFT LCD monitor | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | 95 percent | 95 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.53x | 0.49x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shooting rate | 3.0 frames per second | 3.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | 10.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash options | Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | 1/200s | 1/160s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
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 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 | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 505g (1.11 lb) | 519g (1.14 lb) |
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 All around score | 67 | 67 |
DXO Color Depth score | 22.5 | 22.6 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 11.3 | 11.8 |
DXO Low light score | 919 | 614 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 550 photographs | 500 photographs |
Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | EN-EL14 | NP-FH50 |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Price at launch | $565 | $899 |