Nikon D5100 vs Sony A580
66 Imaging
56 Features
81 Overall
66
64 Imaging
56 Features
82 Overall
66
Nikon D5100 vs Sony A580 Key Specs
(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
(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- Superseded the Sony A100
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).
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesThe 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.
Nikon D5100 vs Sony A580 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon D5100 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A580. The complete galleries are viewable at Nikon D5100 Gallery & Sony A580 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D5100 over the Sony A580
D5100 | A580 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fully Articulated | Tilting | Fully Articulating screen | |
Selfie screen | Take selfies |
Reasons to pick Sony A580 over the Nikon D5100
A580 | D5100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen resolution | 922k | 921k | Crisper screen (+1k dot) |
Common features in the Nikon D5100 and Sony A580
D5100 | A580 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | April 2011 | May 2011 | Similar age | |
Manually focus | Dial exact focusing | |||
Screen size | 3" | 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.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.
Using size and weight, the portability grade of the D5100 and A580 is 66 and 64 respectively.
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 Screen and ViewFinder
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Street Comparison
Sports Comparison
Travel Comparison
Landscape Comparison
Vlogging Comparison
Nikon D5100 vs Sony A580 Specifications
Nikon D5100 | Sony 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 |