Nikon D5100 vs Sony A550
66 Imaging
56 Features
81 Overall
66
63 Imaging
54 Features
65 Overall
58
Nikon D5100 vs Sony A550 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Display
- ISO 100 - 6400 (Boost to 25600)
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon F Mount
- 560g - 128 x 97 x 79mm
- Introduced April 2011
- Superseded the Nikon D5000
- Later Model is Nikon D5200
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 200 - 12800
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 632g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
- Introduced December 2009
- Replaced the Sony A100
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Let's examine more in depth at the Nikon D5100 versus Sony A550, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by rivals Nikon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the D5100 (16MP) and the A550 (14MP) is fairly close and they feature the same exact sensor dimensions (APS-C).
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modesThe D5100 was released 17 months after the A550 making the cameras a generation away from one another. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact SLR).
Before getting straight into a complete comparison, below is a quick view of how the D5100 grades vs the A550 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
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This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Nikon D5100 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A550. The complete galleries are provided at Nikon D5100 Gallery & Sony A550 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D5100 over the Sony A550
| D5100 | A550 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | April 2011 |  | December 2009 | Newer by 17 months |
| Display type | Fully Articulated |  | Tilting | Fully Articulating display |
| Selfie screen |  | Easy selfies |
Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Nikon D5100
| A550 | D5100 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display resolution | 922k |  | 921k | Clearer display (+1k dot) |
Common features in the Nikon D5100 and Sony A550
| D5100 | A550 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focus manually |  | Very accurate focusing | ||
| Display sizing | 3" |  | 3" | Equivalent display sizing |
| Touch display |  | Neither comes with Touch display |
Nikon D5100 vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison
If you are going to travel with your camera often, you need to factor its weight and volume. The Nikon D5100 comes with exterior measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 79mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.1") along with a weight of 560 grams (1.23 lbs) while the Sony A550 has sizing of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") along with a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).
Compare the Nikon D5100 versus Sony A550 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are using at that time. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the D5100 versus the A550.
Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the D5100 and A550 is 66 and 63 respectively.
Nikon D5100 vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, its tough to see the gap in sensor dimensions merely by viewing specifications. The picture here might give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the D5100 and A550.
Plainly, each of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You can anticipate the Nikon D5100 to render extra detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos a little more aggressively. The more recent D5100 is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.
Nikon D5100 vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder
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Nikon D5100 vs Sony A550 Specifications
| Nikon D5100 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand Name | Nikon | Sony |
| Model type | Nikon D5100 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 |
| Type | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
| Introduced | 2011-04-26 | 2009-12-09 |
| Body design | Compact SLR | Compact SLR |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Powered by | Expeed 2 | Bionz |
| Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
| Sensor measurements | 23.6 x 15.7mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
| Sensor surface area | 370.5mm² | 365.0mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 16MP | 14MP |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Highest Possible resolution | 4928 x 3264 | 4592 x 3056 |
| Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
| Maximum enhanced ISO | 25600 | - |
| Lowest native ISO | 100 | 200 |
| RAW photos | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focusing | ||
| Touch to focus | ||
| Continuous AF | ||
| AF single | ||
| Tracking AF | ||
| AF selectice | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| AF multi area | ||
| Live view AF | ||
| Face detect AF | ||
| Contract detect AF | ||
| Phase detect AF | ||
| Total focus points | 11 | 9 |
| Cross type focus points | 1 | - |
| Lens | ||
| Lens support | Nikon F | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
| Number of lenses | 309 | 143 |
| Crop factor | 1.5 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Range of display | Fully Articulated | Tilting |
| Display sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
| Resolution of display | 921 thousand dot | 922 thousand dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch function | ||
| Display tech | TFT LCD monitor | - |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder coverage | 95% | 95% |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.52x | 0.53x |
| Features | ||
| Minimum shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
| Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/4000s |
| Continuous shutter speed | 4.0 frames/s | 7.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Change WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash distance | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | 12.00 m |
| Flash modes | 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 | ||
| Auto exposure bracketing | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Fastest 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 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps) | - |
| Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | None |
| Video file 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 | ||
| Environment seal | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 560 gr (1.23 lbs) | 632 gr (1.39 lbs) |
| Dimensions | 128 x 97 x 79mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.1") | 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall rating | 80 | 66 |
| DXO Color Depth rating | 23.5 | 21.9 |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | 13.6 | 11.8 |
| DXO Low light rating | 1183 | 807 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 660 photos | 480 photos |
| Battery form | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery ID | EN-EL14 | NP-FM500H |
| 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/ Pro-HG Duo |
| Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
| Retail pricing | $0 | $749 |
