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Nikon D3100 vs Sony A450

Portability
68
Imaging
54
Features
59
Overall
56
Nikon D3100 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A450 front
Portability
65
Imaging
54
Features
52
Overall
53

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A450 Key Specs

Nikon D3100
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Increase to 12800)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 505g - 124 x 96 x 75mm
  • Launched December 2010
  • Succeeded the Nikon D3000
  • Refreshed by Nikon D3200
Sony A450
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 560g - 137 x 104 x 81mm
  • Revealed January 2010
Photography Glossary

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A450 Overview

Let's take a closer look at the Nikon D3100 versus Sony A450, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by companies Nikon and Sony. The resolution of the D3100 (14MP) and the A450 (14MP) is relatively comparable and they come with the same exact sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The D3100 was released 12 months after the A450 and they are of a similar age. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before going straight into a detailed comparison, below is a simple summary of how the D3100 scores versus the A450 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3100 over the Sony A450

 D3100 A450 
RevealedDecember 2010January 2010Newer by 12 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Sony A450 over the Nikon D3100

 A450 D3100 

Common features in the Nikon D3100 and Sony A450

 D3100 A450 
Manual focus More precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither offers Touch friendly screen

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A450 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to travel with your camera, you need to consider its weight and proportions. The Nikon D3100 offers outer dimensions of 124mm x 96mm x 75mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 505 grams (1.11 lbs) and the Sony A450 has measurements of 137mm x 104mm x 81mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.2") with a weight of 560 grams (1.23 lbs).

Compare the Nikon D3100 versus Sony A450 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilising during that time. Here is the front view scale comparison of the D3100 against the A450.

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A450 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the D3100 and A450 is 68 and 65 respectively.

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A450 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A450 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its tough to visualize the gap in sensor dimensions merely by seeing specs. The picture here should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the D3100 and A450.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same exact resolution and you can expect comparable quality of photos though you would want to take the age of the cameras into account. The newer D3100 provides an edge in sensor tech.

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A450 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A450 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A450 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3100 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A450 as a Portrait photography camera
72
you can focus manually
MP count good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
72
you can focus manually
good resolution (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon D3100
Street photography with Sony A450
58
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3100 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A450 as a Sports photography camera
60
MP count good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features tracking focus
supports phase detect auto focus
max frames per second low (3.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
77
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
great battery power (1,050 shots)
comes with phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon D3100
Travel photography with Sony A450
58
MP count good (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse function
does not posses selfie friendly display
60
great battery power (1,050 shots)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse function
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon D3100
Landscape photography with Sony A450
65
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a good size (3")
MP count good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
lack of Time Lapse function
66
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
great battery power (1,050 per charge)
screen is small (2.7")
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3100 Vlogging factors
Sony A450 Vlogging factors
27
features face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not posses selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
lack of mic support
9
can't record video
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Nikon D3100 vs Sony A450 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3100 and Sony A450
 Nikon D3100Sony Alpha DSLR-A450
General Information
Brand Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon D3100 Sony Alpha DSLR-A450
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2010-12-21 2010-01-05
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed 2 Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.1 x 15.4mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 355.7mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3072 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 3200 12800
Max boosted ISO 12800 -
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 11 9
Cross type focus points 1 -
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 309 143
Focal length multiplier 1.6 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech TFT LCD monitor TFT Clear Photo Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x 0.53x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 3.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain Auto, Fill, Rear Sync, Slow Sync, Wireless/ High Speed Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/200 secs 1/160 secs
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) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format MPEG-4 -
Microphone 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 505 grams (1.11 pounds) 560 grams (1.23 pounds)
Dimensions 124 x 96 x 75mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0") 137 x 104 x 81mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 67 66
DXO Color Depth rating 22.5 21.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.3 11.8
DXO Low light rating 919 769
Other
Battery life 550 photos 1050 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL14 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $565 $1,241