Clicky

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A65

Portability
68
Imaging
54
Features
59
Overall
56
Nikon D3100 front
 
Sony SLT-A65 front
Portability
64
Imaging
64
Features
85
Overall
72

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A65 Key Specs

Nikon D3100
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Expand to 12800)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 505g - 124 x 96 x 75mm
  • Announced December 2010
  • Earlier Model is Nikon D3000
  • Replacement is Nikon D3200
Sony A65
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 622g - 132 x 97 x 81mm
  • Introduced November 2011
  • Refreshed by Sony A68
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A65 Overview

Let's look closer at the Nikon D3100 versus Sony A65, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Sony. There is a sizable difference between the sensor resolutions of the D3100 (14MP) and A65 (24MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor sizing (APS-C).

TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

The D3100 was revealed 10 months before the A65 and they are of a similar age. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before we go in to a detailed comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the D3100 scores versus the A65 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon D3100 over the Sony A65

 D3100 A65 

Reasons to pick Sony A65 over the Nikon D3100

 A65 D3100 
IntroducedNovember 2011December 2010More modern by 10 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution921k230kCrisper display (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Nikon D3100 and Sony A65

 D3100 A65 
Focus manually Very exact focus
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A65 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry around your camera often, you should consider its weight and volume. The Nikon D3100 comes with outside measurements of 124mm x 96mm x 75mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0") and a weight of 505 grams (1.11 lbs) while the Sony A65 has sizing of 132mm x 97mm x 81mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 3.2") having a weight of 622 grams (1.37 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon D3100 versus Sony A65 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you use at that time. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the D3100 compared to the A65.

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A65 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the D3100 and A65 is 68 and 64 respectively.

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A65 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A65 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is hard to envision the difference between sensor sizes purely by reading specifications. The image underneath will help provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the D3100 and A65.

To sum up, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You can expect to see the Sony A65 to deliver more detail because of its extra 10MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop images far more aggressively. The more aged D3100 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A65 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A65 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A65 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3100 Portrait photography info
Sony A65 Portrait photography info
72
you can focus manually
MP count decent (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
78
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

Street Comparison

Nikon D3100 Street photography features
Sony A65 Street photography features
58
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
77
screen articulates fully
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Sports Comparison

Nikon D3100 Sports photography details
Sony A65 Sports photography details
60
MP count decent (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
sensor has phase detect autofocus
slow frames per second (3.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
82
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
supports phase detect autofocus
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Travel Comparison

Nikon D3100 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A65 as a Travel photography camera
58
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse mode
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
68
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
does not have Time Lapse function
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3100 Landscape photography factors
Sony A65 Landscape photography factors
65
you can focus manually
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
MP count decent (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
does not have image stabilization
does not have Timelapse mode
75
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
does not have Time Lapse function
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon D3100
Vlogging with Sony A65
27
offers face detect autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
does not have microphone support
78
display is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with external mic jack
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A65 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3100 and Sony A65
 Nikon D3100Sony SLT-A65
General Information
Make Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon D3100 Sony SLT-A65
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2010-12-21 2011-11-15
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 area 355.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 24MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3072 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 3200 12800
Highest enhanced ISO 12800 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
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
Number of lenses 309 143
Crop factor 1.6 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dot
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x 0.73x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 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
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/200s 1/160s
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, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 505 gr (1.11 pounds) 622 gr (1.37 pounds)
Dimensions 124 x 96 x 75mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0") 132 x 97 x 81mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 67 74
DXO Color Depth rating 22.5 23.4
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.3 12.6
DXO Low light rating 919 717
Other
Battery life 550 photos 560 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL14 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $565 $700