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Nikon D3100 vs Sony A35

Portability
68
Imaging
54
Features
59
Overall
56
Nikon D3100 front
 
Sony SLT-A35 front
Portability
69
Imaging
56
Features
70
Overall
61

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A35 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
  • Previous Model is Nikon D3000
  • Refreshed by Nikon D3200
Sony A35
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 415g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
  • Revealed September 2011
  • Older Model is Sony A33
  • Refreshed by Sony A37
Photography Glossary

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A35 Overview

Here, we are contrasting the Nikon D3100 versus Sony A35, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by rivals Nikon and Sony. The image resolution of the D3100 (14MP) and the A35 (16MP) is very comparable and both cameras boast the identical sensor size (APS-C).

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The D3100 was revealed 9 months before the A35 and they are both of a similar age. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before going straight to a detailed comparison, here is a simple summary of how the D3100 matches up versus the A35 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3100 over the Sony A35

 D3100 A35 

Reasons to pick Sony A35 over the Nikon D3100

 A35 D3100 
RevealedSeptember 2011December 2010Fresher by 9 months
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Nikon D3100 and Sony A35

 D3100 A35 
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display size
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A35 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry your camera often, you are going to need to take into account its weight and volume. The Nikon D3100 features physical measurements of 124mm x 96mm x 75mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0") and a weight of 505 grams (1.11 lbs) whilst the Sony A35 has sizing of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 415 grams (0.91 lbs).

Compare the Nikon D3100 versus Sony A35 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have chosen during that time. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the D3100 vs the A35.

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A35 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the D3100 and A35 is 68 and 69 respectively.

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A35 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A35 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is tough to imagine the contrast in sensor sizing just by seeing specs. The photograph here may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the D3100 and A35.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras come with the identical sensor size but different resolution. You can expect to see the Sony A35 to provide greater detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images a good deal more aggressively. The older D3100 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A35 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A35 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A35 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3100 Portrait photography highlights
Sony A35 Portrait photography highlights
72
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
73
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon D3100
Street photography with Sony A35
58
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
71
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lighter than competitors (415 grams)
above average high ISO (25,600)
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3100 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A35 as a Sports photography camera
60
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
sensor has phase detect auto focus
slow frames per second (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
not so great battery life (440 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D3100 Travel photography information
Sony A35 Travel photography information
58
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse function
does not feature selfie friendly screen
58
lighter than competitors (415 grams)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse recording
not so great battery life (440 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3100 Landscape photography features
Sony A35 Landscape photography features
65
manual focus
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
lack of Timelapse function
69
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
good sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
above average high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
not so great battery life (440 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3100 Vlogging information
Sony A35 Vlogging information
27
supports face detect focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
lack of microphone port
36
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with mic socket
lighter than competitors (415 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Nikon D3100 vs Sony A35 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3100 and Sony A35
 Nikon D3100Sony SLT-A35
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Sony
Model Nikon D3100 Sony SLT-A35
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2010-12-21 2011-09-20
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
Max resolution 4608 x 3072 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 3200 25600
Max enhanced ISO 12800 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
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
Available lenses 309 143
Focal length multiplier 1.6 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,150k dots
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x 0.73x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m
Flash settings 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
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/200 seconds 1/160 seconds
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) 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 505g (1.11 lbs) 415g (0.91 lbs)
Physical dimensions 124 x 96 x 75mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0") 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 67 74
DXO Color Depth score 22.5 23.3
DXO Dynamic range score 11.3 12.7
DXO Low light score 919 763
Other
Battery life 550 pictures 440 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL14 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Retail cost $565 $598