Nikon D5100 vs Sony A37
Portability
66 Imaging
57 Features
81 Overall
66
66 Imaging
57 Features
81 Overall
66
Portability
67 Imaging
57 Features
65 Overall
60
67 Imaging
57 Features
65 Overall
60
Nikon D5100 vs Sony A37 Key Specs
Nikon D5100
(Full Review)
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400 (Push to 25600)
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon F Mount
- 560g - 128 x 97 x 79mm
- Introduced April 2011
- Superseded the Nikon D5000
- Replacement is Nikon D5200
Sony A37
(Full Review)
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2.6" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 25600
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 506g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
- Introduced May 2012
- Old Model is Sony A35
Photography Glossary Nikon D5100 vs Sony A37 Overview
Following is a extensive analysis of the Nikon D5100 and Sony A37, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. The resolution of the D5100 (16MP) and the A37 (16MP) is very comparable and they possess the same exact sensor sizing (APS-C).
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesThe D5100 was announced 12 months earlier than the A37 so they are of a similar generation. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact SLR).
Before getting through a in-depth comparison, below is a concise overview of how the D5100 matches up vs the A37 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month Nikon D5100 vs Sony A37 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Nikon D5100 and Sony SLT-A37. The whole galleries are viewable at Nikon D5100 Gallery and Sony A37 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D5100 over the Sony A37
| D5100 | A37 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display type | Fully Articulated |  | Tilting | Fully Articulating display |
| Display sizing | 3" |  | 2.6" | Larger display (+0.4") |
| Display resolution | 921k |  | 230k | Crisper display (+691k dot) |
| Selfie screen |  | Easy selfies |
Reasons to pick Sony A37 over the Nikon D5100
| A37 | D5100 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | May 2012 |  | April 2011 | More modern by 12 months |
Common features in the Nikon D5100 and Sony A37
| D5100 | A37 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual focus |  | Very precise focus | ||
| Touch display |  | No Touch display |
Nikon D5100 vs Sony A37 Physical Comparison
In case you're intending to carry around your camera frequently, you will need to think about its weight and volume. The Nikon D5100 features external dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 79mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.1") accompanied by a weight of 560 grams (1.23 lbs) while the Sony A37 has sizing of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") with a weight of 506 grams (1.12 lbs).
Take a look at the Nikon D5100 and Sony A37 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you select at the time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the D5100 and the A37.
Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the D5100 and A37 is 66 and 67 respectively.
Nikon D5100 vs Sony A37 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, its difficult to picture the difference in sensor sizes purely by going through specifications. The picture underneath might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the D5100 and A37.
Plainly, both the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the same resolution so you should expect comparable quality of images but you should factor the production date of the cameras into account. The more aged D5100 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.
Nikon D5100 vs Sony A37 Screen and ViewFinder
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Nikon D5100 Portrait photography details
Sony A37 Portrait photography details
you can focus manually
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detect focus
supports RAW files
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection focus
exports RAW files
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealingStreet Comparison
Nikon D5100 Street photography information
Sony A37 Street photography information
screen articulates
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
very good high ISO (25,600)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firmsSports Comparison
Nikon D5100 Sports photography highlights
Sony A37 Sports photography highlights
MP count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
great battery pack (660 per charge)
comes with phase detect auto focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (6.0 frames per second)
low battery power (500 CIPA)
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD CardsTravel Comparison
Nikon D5100 Travel photography info
Sony A37 Travel photography info
great battery pack (660 per charge)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse function
low battery power (500 CIPA)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or banLandscape Comparison
Nikon D5100 Landscape photography advice
Sony A37 Landscape photography advice
you can focus manually
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
MP count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
great battery pack (660 CIPA)
does not have image stabilization
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
very good high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.6 inch)
low battery power (500 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse function
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhoneVlogging Comparison
Nikon D5100 Vlogging details
Sony A37 Vlogging details
selfie friendly display
comes with face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have mic port
does not have image stabilization
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has external microphone port
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes
Nikon D5100 vs Sony A37 Specifications
| Nikon D5100 | Sony SLT-A37 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Make | Nikon | Sony |
| Model | Nikon D5100 | Sony SLT-A37 |
| Type | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
| Introduced | 2011-04-26 | 2012-05-16 |
| Body design | Compact SLR | Compact SLR |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Powered by | Expeed 2 | - |
| Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
| Sensor measurements | 23.6 x 15.7mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
| Sensor area | 370.5mm² | 366.6mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Full resolution | 4928 x 3264 | 4912 x 3264 |
| Max native ISO | 6400 | 25600 |
| Max boosted ISO | 25600 | - |
| Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
| RAW images | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focus | ||
| Touch focus | ||
| Continuous autofocus | ||
| Autofocus single | ||
| Tracking autofocus | ||
| Selective autofocus | ||
| Center weighted autofocus | ||
| Autofocus multi area | ||
| Autofocus live view | ||
| Face detection autofocus | ||
| Contract detection autofocus | ||
| Phase detection autofocus | ||
| Number of focus points | 11 | 15 |
| Cross focus points | 1 | 3 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount | Nikon F | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
| Number of lenses | 309 | 143 |
| Crop factor | 1.5 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen type | Fully Articulated | Tilting |
| Screen diagonal | 3 inch | 2.6 inch |
| Screen resolution | 921k dot | 230k dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch operation | ||
| Screen tech | TFT LCD monitor | - |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | Optical (pentamirror) | Electronic |
| Viewfinder resolution | - | 1,440k dot |
| Viewfinder coverage | 95 percent | 100 percent |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.52x | 0.73x |
| Features | ||
| Lowest shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
| Highest shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/4000s |
| Continuous shooting speed | 4.0 frames/s | 6.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Custom white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in 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 |
| External flash | ||
| Auto exposure bracketing | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Highest flash sync | 1/200s | 1/160s |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment exposure | ||
| Average exposure | ||
| Spot exposure | ||
| Partial exposure | ||
| AF area exposure | ||
| Center weighted exposure | ||
| Video features | ||
| 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 |
| Microphone jack | ||
| Headphone jack | ||
| 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 | ||
| Environment seal | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 560 grams (1.23 lb) | 506 grams (1.12 lb) |
| Dimensions | 128 x 97 x 79mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.1") | 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO All around score | 80 | 75 |
| DXO Color Depth score | 23.5 | 23.3 |
| DXO Dynamic range score | 13.6 | 12.9 |
| DXO Low light score | 1183 | 799 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 660 photos | 500 photos |
| Battery form | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | EN-EL14 | NP-FW50 |
| Self timer | Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
| Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
| Launch pricing | $0 | $522 |
