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Nikon D3100 vs Sony A560

Portability
68
Imaging
54
Features
59
Overall
56
Nikon D3100 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A560 front
Portability
64
Imaging
54
Features
78
Overall
63

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A560 Key Specs

Nikon D3100
(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
Sony A560
(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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Reasons to pick Nikon D3100 over the Sony A560

 D3100 A560 

Reasons to pick Sony A560 over the Nikon D3100

 A560 D3100 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution922k230kSharper display (+692k dot)

Common features in the Nikon D3100 and Sony A560

 D3100 A560 
AnnouncedDecember 2010August 2010Similar age
Manual focus Very exact focusing
Display dimensions3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A560 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the D3100 and A560 is 68 and 64 respectively.

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A560 top view buttons comparison

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.

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A560 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A560 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A560 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3100 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A560 as a Portrait photography camera
72
focusing manually
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has face detect focusing
saves RAW files
72
you can focus manually
good resolution (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Nikon D3100 as a Street photography camera
Sony A560 as a Street photography camera
58
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
75
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3100 Sports photography details
Sony A560 Sports photography details
60
good megapixels (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has tracking focus
has phase detect AF
slow fps (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
great battery life (1,050 per charge)
sensor has phase detect AF
low frames per second (5.0 frames per second)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D3100 Travel photography information
Sony A560 Travel photography information
58
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
no Timelapse recording
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
60
great battery life (1,050 per charge)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon D3100
Landscape photography with Sony A560
65
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
nice screen size (3")
good megapixels (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lack of image stabilization
no Timelapse recording
73
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
great battery life (1,050 shots)
two card slots
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3100 Vlogging features
Sony A560 Vlogging features
27
has face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
no microphone socket
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes external mic socket
display isn't selfie friendly
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Nikon D3100 vs Sony A560 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3100 and Sony A560
 Nikon D3100Sony 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