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Nikon D5100 vs Sony A580

Portability
66
Imaging
56
Features
81
Overall
66
Nikon D5100 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A580 front
Portability
64
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66

Nikon D5100 vs Sony A580 Key Specs

Nikon D5100
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • 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
  • New Model is Nikon D5200
Sony A580
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Expand to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 599g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Revealed May 2011
  • Superseded the Sony A100
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Nikon D5100 vs Sony A580 Overview

Here is a in depth assessment of the Nikon D5100 versus Sony A580, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by companies Nikon and Sony. The resolution of the D5100 (16MP) and the A580 (16MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras have the identical sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The D5100 was launched within a month of the A580 and they are both of a similar age. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before we go right into a complete comparison, here is a short summation of how the D5100 grades versus the A580 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D5100 over the Sony A580

 D5100 A580 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Sony A580 over the Nikon D5100

 A580 D5100 
Screen resolution922k921kCrisper screen (+1k dot)

Common features in the Nikon D5100 and Sony A580

 D5100 A580 
RevealedApril 2011May 2011Similar age
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurements
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Nikon D5100 vs Sony A580 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry your camera, you will want to think about its weight and proportions. The Nikon D5100 provides external 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 A580 has measurements of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") and a weight of 599 grams (1.32 lbs).

Check the Nikon D5100 versus Sony A580 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are using at that moment. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the D5100 versus the A580.

Nikon D5100 vs Sony A580 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the D5100 and A580 is 66 and 64 respectively.

Nikon D5100 vs Sony A580 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D5100 vs Sony A580 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's hard to envision the difference between sensor sizing just by looking at a spec sheet. The graphic underneath will help offer you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the D5100 and A580.

As you can see, the 2 cameras feature the identical sensor size and the exact same resolution and you can expect similar quality of files though you have to take the age of the products into consideration.

Nikon D5100 vs Sony A580 sensor size comparison

Nikon D5100 vs Sony A580 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D5100 vs Sony A580 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D5100 Portrait photography information
Sony A580 Portrait photography information
73
manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
73
you can focus manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon D5100 Street photography highlights
Sony A580 Street photography highlights
67
fully articulated screen
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
75
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D5100 Sports photography details
Sony A580 Sports photography details
63
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features tracking focus
great battery pack (660 shots)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
continuous shooting slow (4.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
78
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
great battery power (1,050 per charge)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon D5100
Travel photography with Sony A580
77
great battery pack (660 CIPA)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
60
great battery power (1,050 per charge)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D5100 Landscape photography highlights
Sony A580 Landscape photography highlights
72
manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
great battery pack (660 per charge)
does not have image stabilization
73
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
great battery power (1,050 per charge)
has dual storage slots
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D5100 Vlogging factors
Sony A580 Vlogging factors
69
selfie friendly screen
features face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes microphone jack
does not have image stabilization
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes mic jack
display isn't selfie friendly
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Nikon D5100 vs Sony A580 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D5100 and Sony A580
 Nikon D5100Sony Alpha DSLR-A580
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Sony
Model Nikon D5100 Sony Alpha DSLR-A580
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2011-04-26 2011-05-26
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed 2 Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 370.5mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4928 x 3264 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Max boosted ISO 25600 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 11 15
Cross focus points 1 3
Lens
Lens mount Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 309 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Tilting
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 921 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.52x 0.53x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 4.0 frames per sec 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/200 secs 1/160 secs
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) 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Eye-Fi Connected
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 560g (1.23 pounds) 599g (1.32 pounds)
Physical 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 All around score 80 80
DXO Color Depth score 23.5 23.8
DXO Dynamic range score 13.6 13.3
DXO Low light score 1183 1121
Other
Battery life 660 photographs 1050 photographs
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL14 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single 2
Retail cost $0 $848