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Nikon D5100 vs Sony A380

Portability
66
Imaging
57
Features
81
Overall
66
Nikon D5100 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 front
Portability
68
Imaging
54
Features
54
Overall
54

Nikon D5100 vs Sony A380 Key Specs

Nikon D5100
(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
  • Introduced April 2011
  • Succeeded the Nikon D5000
  • Refreshed by Nikon D5200
Sony A380
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 519g - 128 x 97 x 71mm
  • Introduced August 2009
  • Older Model is Sony A350
  • Replacement is Sony A390
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Nikon D5100 vs Sony A380 Overview

Here is a extended review of the Nikon D5100 versus Sony A380, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by rivals Nikon and Sony. The resolution of the D5100 (16MP) and the A380 (14MP) is relatively comparable and they come with the same exact sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The D5100 was brought out 21 months later than the A380 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before going straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the D5100 matches up vs the A380 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D5100 over the Sony A380

 D5100 A380 
IntroducedApril 2011August 2009Fresher by 21 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Sony A380 over the Nikon D5100

 A380 D5100 

Common features in the Nikon D5100 and Sony A380

 D5100 A380 
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Nikon D5100 vs Sony A380 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry your camera often, you need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D5100 enjoys outside measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 79mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.1") with a weight of 560 grams (1.23 lbs) whilst the Sony A380 has dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 519 grams (1.14 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon D5100 versus Sony A380 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are using at that moment. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the D5100 vs the A380.

Nikon D5100 vs Sony A380 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the D5100 and A380 is 66 and 68 respectively.

Nikon D5100 vs Sony A380 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D5100 vs Sony A380 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's difficult to see the gap in sensor sizing just by checking out specifications. The graphic below will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the D5100 and A380.

Plainly, each of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Nikon D5100 to provide greater detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The newer D5100 will have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon D5100 vs Sony A380 sensor size comparison

Nikon D5100 vs Sony A380 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D5100 vs Sony A380 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D5100 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A380 as a Portrait photography camera
74
you can focus manually
good resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect focus
exports RAW files
72
has manual focus
good MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has face detection focus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon D5100 as a Street photography camera
Sony A380 as a Street photography camera
67
screen can move to multiple angles
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no image stabilization
77
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon D5100
Sports photography with Sony A380
64
good resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
great battery power (660 shots)
comes with phase detect auto focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
max fps very slow (3.0 fps)
bad battery power (500 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D5100 Travel photography details
Sony A380 Travel photography details
77
great battery power (660 per charge)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
54
good MP (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
no Timelapse function
bad battery power (500 shots)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D5100 Landscape photography highlights
Sony A380 Landscape photography highlights
73
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
great battery power (660 shots)
no image stabilization
61
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
screen is small (2.7 inches)
bad battery power (500 shots)
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D5100 Vlogging information
Sony A380 Vlogging information
69
screen is selfie friendly
supports face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have mic port
no image stabilization
9
no video shooting
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Nikon D5100 vs Sony A380 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D5100 and Sony A380
 Nikon D5100Sony Alpha DSLR-A380
General Information
Brand Nikon Sony
Model Nikon D5100 Sony Alpha DSLR-A380
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2011-04-26 2009-08-24
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed 2 Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.7mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 370.5mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
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 photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 11 9
Cross focus points 1 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 309 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Tilting
Display sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 921k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.52x 0.49x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 4.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/200 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 format MPEG-4 -
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 560 gr (1.23 lbs) 519 gr (1.14 lbs)
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 All around score 80 67
DXO Color Depth score 23.5 22.6
DXO Dynamic range score 13.6 11.8
DXO Low light score 1183 614
Other
Battery life 660 photographs 500 photographs
Battery form 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 shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Retail cost $0 $899