Nikon D3100 vs Sony A57
68 Imaging
53 Features
59 Overall
55
64 Imaging
57 Features
85 Overall
68
Nikon D3100 vs Sony A57 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200 (Boost to 12800)
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon F Mount
- 505g - 124 x 96 x 75mm
- Released December 2010
- Earlier Model is Nikon D3000
- Refreshed by Nikon D3200
(Full Review)
Photography Glossary Nikon D3100 vs Sony A57 Overview
The following is a thorough overview of the Nikon D3100 vs Sony A57, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by rivals Nikon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the D3100 (14MP) and the A57 (16MP) is very close and both cameras posses the identical sensor measurements (APS-C).
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD CardsThe D3100 was released 21 months earlier than the A57 making them a generation away from each other. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact SLR).
Before going into a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the D3100 matches up versus the A57 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
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Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Nikon D3100 & Sony SLT-A57. The complete galleries are available at Nikon D3100 Gallery & Sony A57 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D3100 over the Sony A57
| D3100 | A57 |
|---|
Reasons to pick Sony A57 over the Nikon D3100
| A57 | D3100 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | September 2012 |  | December 2010 | Newer by 21 months |
| Display type | Fully Articulated |  | Fixed | Fully Articulating display |
| Display resolution | 921k |  | 230k | Crisper display (+691k dot) |
| Selfie screen |  | Take selfies |
Common features in the Nikon D3100 and Sony A57
| D3100 | A57 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual focus |  | Dial accurate focusing | ||
| Display size | 3" |  | 3" | Same display measurements |
| Touch display |  | Neither contains Touch display |
Nikon D3100 vs Sony A57 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is looking to travel with your camera regularly, you have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Nikon D3100 has got outer dimensions of 124mm x 96mm x 75mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0") having a weight of 505 grams (1.11 lbs) whilst the Sony A57 has proportions of 132mm x 98mm x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2") having a weight of 618 grams (1.36 lbs).
Examine the Nikon D3100 vs Sony A57 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen at the time. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the D3100 and the A57.
Using size and weight, the portability score of the D3100 and A57 is 68 and 64 respectively.
Nikon D3100 vs Sony A57 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it is hard to envision the difference in sensor dimensions purely by researching specifications. The image below may provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the D3100 and A57.
To sum up, both of these cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same megapixels. You can expect to see the Sony A57 to render more detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics way more aggressively. The more aged D3100 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.
Nikon D3100 vs Sony A57 Screen and ViewFinder
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Nikon D3100 vs Sony A57 Specifications
| Nikon D3100 | Sony SLT-A57 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Manufacturer | Nikon | Sony |
| Model type | Nikon D3100 | Sony SLT-A57 |
| Category | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
| Released | 2010-12-21 | 2012-09-13 |
| Physical type | Compact SLR | Compact SLR |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor Chip | Expeed 2 | - |
| 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 | 14MP | 16MP |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Highest resolution | 4608 x 3072 | 4912 x 3264 |
| Highest native ISO | 3200 | 16000 |
| Highest boosted ISO | 12800 | 25600 |
| Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
| RAW data | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Autofocus touch | ||
| Continuous autofocus | ||
| Single autofocus | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Autofocus center weighted | ||
| Autofocus multi area | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detection focus | ||
| Contract detection focus | ||
| Phase detection focus | ||
| Total focus points | 11 | 15 |
| Cross type focus points | 1 | 3 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount type | Nikon F | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
| Total lenses | 309 | 143 |
| Focal length multiplier | 1.6 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fully Articulated |
| Screen size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
| Resolution of screen | 230 thousand dots | 921 thousand dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch friendly | ||
| Screen technology | TFT LCD monitor | Xtra Fine TFT drive with TruBlack technology |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | Optical (pentamirror) | Electronic |
| Viewfinder resolution | - | 1,440 thousand dots |
| Viewfinder coverage | 95% | 100% |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.53x | 0.7x |
| Features | ||
| Lowest shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
| Highest shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
| Continuous shooting rate | 3.0 frames/s | 12.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual mode | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Set white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated flash | ||
| Flash distance | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | 10.00 m (@ ISO 100) |
| 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 | ||
| 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 | ||
| Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60p, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
| Video data format | MPEG-4 | MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 |
| Mic support | ||
| Headphone support | ||
| 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 proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 505 gr (1.11 lb) | 618 gr (1.36 lb) |
| Physical dimensions | 124 x 96 x 75mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0") | 132 x 98 x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO All around rating | 67 | 75 |
| DXO Color Depth rating | 22.5 | 23.4 |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | 11.3 | 13.0 |
| DXO Low light rating | 919 | 785 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 550 shots | 550 shots |
| Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery ID | EN-EL14 | NP-FM500H |
| Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse shooting | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
| Card slots | One | One |
| Cost at launch | $565 | $1,000 |