Nikon D5100 vs Sony A330
66 Imaging
56 Features
81 Overall
66


67 Imaging
50 Features
50 Overall
50
Nikon D5100 vs Sony A330 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Display
- ISO 100 - 6400 (Expand to 25600)
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon F Mount
- 560g - 128 x 97 x 79mm
- Launched April 2011
- Succeeded the Nikon D5000
- Renewed by Nikon D5200
(Full Review)
- 10MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2.7" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 529g - 128 x 97 x 71mm
- Released May 2009
- Succeeded the Sony A300

Nikon D5100 vs Sony A330 Overview
Below is a in depth review of the Nikon D5100 vs Sony A330, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Sony. There is a crucial difference between the image resolutions of the D5100 (16MP) and A330 (10MP) but both cameras have the same sensor sizing (APS-C).

The D5100 was revealed 24 months later than the A330 making them a generation apart from each other. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).
Before going into a complete comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the D5100 matches up versus the A330 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Nikon D5100 vs Sony A330 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Nikon D5100 and Sony Alpha DSLR-A330. The full galleries are available at Nikon D5100 Gallery and Sony A330 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D5100 over the Sony A330
D5100 | A330 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | April 2011 | ![]() | May 2009 | More recent by 24 months |
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Tilting | Fully Articulating display |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer display (+691k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies |
Reasons to pick Sony A330 over the Nikon D5100
A330 | D5100 |
---|
Common features in the Nikon D5100 and Sony A330
D5100 | A330 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More exact focus | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Absent Touch friendly display |
Nikon D5100 vs Sony A330 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is going to lug around your camera, you'll have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Nikon D5100 offers physical measurements 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 A330 has measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 529 grams (1.17 lbs).
Look at the Nikon D5100 vs Sony A330 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have at that moment. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the D5100 and the A330.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the D5100 and A330 is 66 and 67 respectively.

Nikon D5100 vs Sony A330 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it can be tough to envision the contrast between sensor measurements merely by checking specs. The photograph below will help provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the D5100 and A330.
All in all, both the cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same megapixels. You should expect to see the Nikon D5100 to resolve extra detail because of its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The younger D5100 will have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon D5100 vs Sony A330 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D5100 vs Sony A330 Specifications
Nikon D5100 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A330 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Nikon | Sony |
Model type | Nikon D5100 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A330 |
Class | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
Launched | 2011-04-26 | 2009-05-18 |
Physical type | Compact SLR | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
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 surface area | 370.5mm² | 369.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 10 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4928 x 3264 | 3872 x 2592 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Max enhanced ISO | 25600 | - |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 9 |
Cross type focus points | 1 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Nikon F | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Amount of lenses | 309 | 143 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fully Articulated | Tilting |
Display size | 3 inches | 2.7 inches |
Display resolution | 921 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Display tech | TFT LCD monitor | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | 95% | 95% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.52x | 0.49x |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 4.0 frames per second | 3.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | 10.00 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | 1/200 seconds | 1/160 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) | - |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | None |
Video data 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 proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 560 gr (1.23 lb) | 529 gr (1.17 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 128 x 97 x 79mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.1") | 128 x 97 x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 80 | 64 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 23.5 | 22.4 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 13.6 | 11.5 |
DXO Low light rating | 1183 | 535 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 660 shots | 230 shots |
Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | EN-EL14 | NP-FH50 |
Self timer | Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Cost at release | $0 | $545 |