Nikon D5100 vs Sony A200
66 Imaging
56 Features
81 Overall
66


66 Imaging
49 Features
38 Overall
44
Nikon D5100 vs Sony A200 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Display
- ISO 100 - 6400 (Push to 25600)
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon F Mount
- 560g - 128 x 97 x 79mm
- Launched April 2011
- Previous Model is Nikon D5000
- Refreshed by Nikon D5200
(Full Review)
- 10MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 572g - 131 x 99 x 71mm
- Announced July 2008
- Newer Model is Sony A230

Nikon D5100 vs Sony A200 Overview
In this article, we will be reviewing the Nikon D5100 versus Sony A200, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. There is a big difference among the resolutions of the D5100 (16MP) and A200 (10MP) but they use the same exact sensor size (APS-C).

The D5100 was unveiled 2 years later than the A200 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact SLR).
Before getting in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple overview of how the D5100 matches up vs the A200 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Nikon D5100 vs Sony A200 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon D5100 and Sony Alpha DSLR-A200. The full galleries are available at Nikon D5100 Gallery and Sony A200 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D5100 over the Sony A200
D5100 | A200 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | April 2011 | ![]() | July 2008 | More recent by 34 months |
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+691k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Reasons to pick Sony A200 over the Nikon D5100
A200 | D5100 |
---|
Common features in the Nikon D5100 and Sony A200
D5100 | A200 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial accurate focus | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither has Touch friendly screen |
Nikon D5100 vs Sony A200 Physical Comparison
When you are looking to lug around your camera often, you'll need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D5100 has exterior dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 79mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.1") and a weight of 560 grams (1.23 lbs) and the Sony A200 has dimensions of 131mm x 99mm x 71mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 2.8") with a weight of 572 grams (1.26 lbs).
See the Nikon D5100 versus Sony A200 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Below is the front view measurements comparison of the D5100 compared to the A200.

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the D5100 and A200 is 66 and 66 respectively.

Nikon D5100 vs Sony A200 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it is very hard to visualize the contrast in sensor measurements simply by looking through a spec sheet. The visual below will offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the D5100 and A200.
As you can see, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You should count on the Nikon D5100 to render extra detail having an extra 6MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs far more aggressively. The more recent D5100 provides an advantage in sensor tech.

Nikon D5100 vs Sony A200 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D5100 vs Sony A200 Specifications
Nikon D5100 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Nikon | Sony |
Model | Nikon D5100 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 |
Type | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
Launched | 2011-04-26 | 2008-07-17 |
Physical type | Compact SLR | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Expeed 2 | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 23.6 x 15.7mm | 23.6 x 15.8mm |
Sensor area | 370.5mm² | 372.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 10 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | - |
Highest resolution | 4928 x 3264 | 3872 x 2592 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Highest boosted ISO | 25600 | - |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | 9 |
Cross focus points | 1 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Nikon F | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Number of lenses | 309 | 143 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fully Articulated | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3" | 2.7" |
Display resolution | 921k dots | 230k 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 | 0.52x | 0.55x |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 4.0fps | 3.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain | Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | 1/200 seconds | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps) | - |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | None |
Video data format | MPEG-4 | - |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
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 | 560 grams (1.23 pounds) | 572 grams (1.26 pounds) |
Dimensions | 128 x 97 x 79mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.1") | 131 x 99 x 71mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 2.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 80 | 63 |
DXO Color Depth score | 23.5 | 22.3 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 13.6 | 11.3 |
DXO Low light score | 1183 | 521 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 660 shots | - |
Battery style | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | EN-EL14 | - |
Self timer | Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | Compact Flash |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Retail price | $0 | $100 |