Clicky

Nikon D5100 vs Sony A290

Portability
66
Imaging
57
Features
81
Overall
66
Nikon D5100 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Nikon D5100 vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Nikon D5100
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Raise to 25600)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 560g - 128 x 97 x 79mm
  • Launched April 2011
  • Succeeded the Nikon D5000
  • Newer Model is Nikon D5200
Sony A290
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
  • Released June 2010
  • Superseded the Sony A230
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Nikon D5100 vs Sony A290 Overview

Here is a complete analysis of the Nikon D5100 versus Sony A290, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Sony. The resolution of the D5100 (16MP) and the A290 (14MP) is very well matched and both cameras provide the identical sensor dimensions (APS-C).

Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

The D5100 was introduced 11 months later than the A290 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before going right into a in depth comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the D5100 matches up vs the A290 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon D5100 over the Sony A290

 D5100 A290 
ReleasedApril 2011June 2010Fresher by 11 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kCrisper display (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Nikon D5100

 A290 D5100 

Common features in the Nikon D5100 and Sony A290

 D5100 A290 
Manual focus More accurate focus
Touch friendly display Neither has Touch friendly display

Nikon D5100 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry your camera regularly, you're going to have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Nikon D5100 has exterior measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 79mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.1") having a weight of 560 grams (1.23 lbs) while the Sony A290 has measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") along with a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon D5100 versus Sony A290 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you select during that time. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the D5100 compared to the A290.

Nikon D5100 vs Sony A290 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the D5100 and A290 is 66 and 66 respectively.

Nikon D5100 vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D5100 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is tough to picture the gap between sensor sizing purely by reading through a spec sheet. The visual below may offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the D5100 and A290.

Clearly, both of the cameras feature the identical sensor size but different MP. You can expect to see the Nikon D5100 to give you greater detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop photos way more aggressively. The fresher D5100 should have an edge in sensor tech.

Nikon D5100 vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Nikon D5100 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D5100 vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D5100
Portrait photography with Sony A290
74
has manual focus
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
65
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports face detect focus
saves RAW files
doesn't have liveview
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Street Comparison

Nikon D5100 Street photography information
Sony A290 Street photography information
67
screen articulates fully
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
does not have image stabilization
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no moving screen
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon D5100
Sports photography with Sony A290
64
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
good battery life (660 per charge)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
low frames per second (4.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
55
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
doesn't have liveview
low fps (3.0 frames/s)
low battery (290 per charge)
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Travel Comparison

Nikon D5100 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A290 as a Travel photography camera
77
good battery life (660 CIPA)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
53
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
built-in flash
missing Timelapse recording
low battery (290 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon D5100
Landscape photography with Sony A290
73
has manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
good battery life (660 shots)
does not have image stabilization
58
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
doesn't have liveview
low battery (290 CIPA)
missing Timelapse recording
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon D5100
Vlogging with Sony A290
69
display is selfie friendly
has face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes external mic socket
does not have image stabilization
9
lack of video recording
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Nikon D5100 vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D5100 and Sony A290
 Nikon D5100Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Make Nikon Sony
Model Nikon D5100 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2011-04-26 2010-06-09
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed 2 Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 370.5mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4928 x 3264 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Highest boosted ISO 25600 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 11 9
Cross focus points 1 -
Lens
Lens mount Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 309 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 921k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.52x 0.55x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 4.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/200s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
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 format MPEG-4 -
Microphone 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 560g (1.23 lbs) 549g (1.21 lbs)
Physical dimensions 128 x 97 x 79mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.1") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 80 66
DXO Color Depth score 23.5 22.6
DXO Dynamic range score 13.6 11.5
DXO Low light score 1183 615
Other
Battery life 660 images 290 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL14 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $0 $600