Nikon D3100 vs Sony A580
68 Imaging
54 Features
59 Overall
56
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64 Imaging
56 Features
82 Overall
66
Nikon D3100 vs Sony A580 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200 (Push to 12800)
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon F Mount
- 505g - 124 x 96 x 75mm
- Introduced December 2010
- Replaced the Nikon D3000
- Newer Model is Nikon D3200
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Expand to 25600)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 599g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
- Launched May 2011
- Older Model is Sony A100
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Nikon D3100 vs Sony A580 Overview
Lets look a bit more closely at the Nikon D3100 versus Sony A580, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Sony. The resolution of the D3100 (14MP) and the A580 (16MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras boast the identical sensor measurements (APS-C).
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The D3100 was introduced 5 months before the A580 so they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact SLR).
Before diving straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a brief summary of how the D3100 scores vs the A580 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
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Nikon D3100 vs Sony A580 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon D3100 and Sony Alpha DSLR-A580. The whole galleries are provided at Nikon D3100 Gallery and Sony A580 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D3100 over the Sony A580
D3100 | A580 |
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Reasons to pick Sony A580 over the Nikon D3100
A580 | D3100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen resolution | 922k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+692k dot) |
Common features in the Nikon D3100 and Sony A580
D3100 | A580 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | December 2010 | ![]() | May 2011 | Similar generation |
Manually focus | ![]() | More precise focus | ||
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same screen measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Lack of Touch friendly screen |
Nikon D3100 vs Sony A580 Physical Comparison
In case you're planning to carry your camera, you're going to have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D3100 provides exterior measurements of 124mm x 96mm x 75mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0") having a weight of 505 grams (1.11 lbs) while the Sony A580 has dimensions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") having a weight of 599 grams (1.32 lbs).
Analyze the Nikon D3100 versus Sony A580 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. Here is a front view dimension comparison of the D3100 vs the A580.
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Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the D3100 and A580 is 68 and 64 respectively.
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Nikon D3100 vs Sony A580 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it can be hard to imagine the difference between sensor sizing simply by reading through a spec sheet. The photograph underneath will help provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the D3100 and A580.
Clearly, both cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different megapixels. You should count on the Sony A580 to resolve greater detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots a good deal more aggressively.
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Nikon D3100 vs Sony A580 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 A580 Specifications
Nikon D3100 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A580 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Nikon | Sony |
Model | Nikon D3100 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A580 |
Type | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
Introduced | 2010-12-21 | 2011-05-26 |
Physical type | Compact SLR | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | 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 | 16 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4608 x 3072 | 4912 x 3264 |
Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 12800 |
Maximum boosted ISO | 12800 | 25600 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | 15 |
Cross focus points | 1 | 3 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Nikon F | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Available lenses | 309 | 143 |
Crop factor | 1.6 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen size | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of screen | 230 thousand dots | 922 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Screen technology | TFT LCD monitor | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | 95% | 95% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.53x | 0.53x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 3.0 frames/s | 7.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | 12.00 m |
Flash modes | 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 | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum 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) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video 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 | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 505 grams (1.11 lb) | 599 grams (1.32 lb) |
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 All around score | 67 | 80 |
DXO Color Depth score | 22.5 | 23.8 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 11.3 | 13.3 |
DXO Low light score | 919 | 1121 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 550 photographs | 1050 photographs |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | EN-EL14 | NP-FM500H |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | Single | Two |
Price at launch | $565 | $848 |