Nikon D3100 vs Sony A560
68 Imaging
54 Features
59 Overall
56
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64 Imaging
54 Features
78 Overall
63
Nikon D3100 vs Sony A560 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 3200 (Bump to 12800)
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon F Mount
- 505g - 124 x 96 x 75mm
- Revealed December 2010
- Succeeded the Nikon D3000
- Renewed by Nikon D3200
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 599g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
- Announced August 2010
- Replaced the Sony A500
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Nikon D3100 vs Sony A560 Overview
Its time to take a closer look at the Nikon D3100 and Sony A560, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by companies Nikon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the D3100 (14MP) and the A560 (14MP) is very similar and both cameras have the same sensor sizing (APS-C).
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The D3100 was launched 4 months after the A560 and they are of a similar age. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).
Before delving into a in-depth comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the D3100 scores versus the A560 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
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Nikon D3100 vs Sony A560 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Nikon D3100 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A560. The complete galleries are available at Nikon D3100 Gallery & Sony A560 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D3100 over the Sony A560
D3100 | A560 |
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Reasons to pick Sony A560 over the Nikon D3100
A560 | D3100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display resolution | 922k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper display (+692k dot) |
Common features in the Nikon D3100 and Sony A560
D3100 | A560 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | December 2010 | ![]() | August 2010 | Similar age |
Manual focus | ![]() | Very exact focusing | ||
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal display measurement |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither provides selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither provides Touch friendly display |
Nikon D3100 vs Sony A560 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is going to travel with your camera often, you'll have to factor its weight and proportions. The Nikon D3100 provides outside measurements 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 A560 has measurements of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") along with a weight of 599 grams (1.32 lbs).
Compare the Nikon D3100 and Sony A560 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you choose during that time. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the D3100 against the A560.
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Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the D3100 and A560 is 68 and 64 respectively.
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Nikon D3100 vs Sony A560 Sensor Comparison
Generally, its difficult to see the gap between sensor dimensions only by reviewing a spec sheet. The image here might give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the D3100 and A560.
Clearly, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the exact same resolution and you can expect similar quality of pictures though you should always factor the launch date of the products into consideration.
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Nikon D3100 vs Sony A560 Screen and ViewFinder
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Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
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Street Comparison
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Sports Comparison
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Travel Comparison
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Landscape Comparison
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Vlogging Comparison
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Nikon D3100 vs Sony A560 Specifications
Nikon D3100 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A560 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Nikon | Sony |
Model | Nikon D3100 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A560 |
Class | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
Revealed | 2010-12-21 | 2010-08-24 |
Physical type | Compact SLR | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Expeed 2 | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 23.1 x 15.4mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 355.7mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4608 x 3072 | 4592 x 3056 |
Highest native ISO | 3200 | 12800 |
Highest enhanced ISO | 12800 | 25600 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | 15 |
Cross focus points | 1 | 3 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Nikon F | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Amount of lenses | 309 | 143 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.6 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display diagonal | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of display | 230k dots | 922k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Display technology | TFT LCD monitor | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | 95 percent | 95 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.53x | 0.53x |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 3.0 frames/s | 5.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | 12.00 m |
Flash options | Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | 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) | 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | MPEG-4 | MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | Optional | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 505g (1.11 pounds) | 599g (1.32 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 124 x 96 x 75mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0") | 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 67 | 70 |
DXO Color Depth score | 22.5 | 22.5 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 11.3 | 12.3 |
DXO Low light score | 919 | 817 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 550 photographs | 1050 photographs |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | EN-EL14 | NP-FM500H |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | Single | 2 |
Pricing at release | $565 | $650 |