Nikon D5100 vs Sony A58
66 Imaging
56 Features
81 Overall
66


68 Imaging
62 Features
72 Overall
66
Nikon D5100 vs Sony A58 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400 (Boost to 25600)
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon F Mount
- 560g - 128 x 97 x 79mm
- Announced April 2011
- Replaced the Nikon D5000
- Updated by Nikon D5200
(Full Review)
- 20MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2.7" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 16000 (Push to 25600)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 492g - 129 x 95 x 78mm
- Launched November 2013
- Previous Model is Sony A57

Nikon D5100 vs Sony A58 Overview
Below, we will be reviewing the Nikon D5100 versus Sony A58, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the D5100 (16MP) and the A58 (20MP) is pretty well matched and they possess the exact same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

The D5100 was announced 3 years before the A58 which is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact SLR).
Before getting in to a full comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the D5100 grades vs the A58 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Nikon D5100 vs Sony A58 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon D5100 & Sony SLT-A58. The whole galleries are provided at Nikon D5100 Gallery & Sony A58 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D5100 over the Sony A58
D5100 | A58 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Tilting | Fully Articulating screen |
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 460k | Sharper screen (+461k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Reasons to pick Sony A58 over the Nikon D5100
A58 | D5100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | November 2013 | ![]() | April 2011 | Newer by 31 months |
Common features in the Nikon D5100 and Sony A58
D5100 | A58 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More accurate focus | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Absent Touch friendly screen |
Nikon D5100 vs Sony A58 Physical Comparison
If you are looking to travel with your camera frequently, you should factor its weight and size. The Nikon D5100 features outside dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 79mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.1") along with a weight of 560 grams (1.23 lbs) whilst the Sony A58 has specifications of 129mm x 95mm x 78mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 3.1") accompanied by a weight of 492 grams (1.08 lbs).
Examine the Nikon D5100 versus Sony A58 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Underneath is the front view sizing comparison of the D5100 compared to the A58.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the D5100 and A58 is 66 and 68 respectively.

Nikon D5100 vs Sony A58 Sensor Comparison
Typically, its tough to visualise the gap between sensor dimensions merely by checking a spec sheet. The pic here should provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the D5100 and A58.
As you can see, both of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same resolution. You can expect the Sony A58 to give you greater detail with its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The more aged D5100 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon D5100 vs Sony A58 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D5100 vs Sony A58 Specifications
Nikon D5100 | Sony SLT-A58 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Nikon | Sony |
Model type | Nikon D5100 | Sony SLT-A58 |
Category | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
Announced | 2011-04-26 | 2013-11-27 |
Body design | Compact SLR | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Expeed 2 | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 23.6 x 15.7mm | 23.2 x 15.4mm |
Sensor surface area | 370.5mm² | 357.3mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 20MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | - |
Peak resolution | 4928 x 3264 | 5456 x 3632 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 16000 |
Highest enhanced ISO | 25600 | 25600 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 15 |
Cross type focus points | 1 | 3 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Nikon F | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Number of lenses | 309 | 143 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 1.6 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fully Articulated | Tilting |
Screen size | 3 inches | 2.7 inches |
Screen resolution | 921k dot | 460k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Screen technology | TFT LCD monitor | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentamirror) | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 1,440k dot |
Viewfinder coverage | 95 percent | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.52x | 0.65x |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shutter speed | 4.0fps | 8.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | 10.00 m (@ ISO 100) |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain | - |
External flash | ||
AE 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 | ||
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 |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | MPEG-4 | MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 |
Mic 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 | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 560 grams (1.23 pounds) | 492 grams (1.08 pounds) |
Dimensions | 128 x 97 x 79mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.1") | 129 x 95 x 78mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 3.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 80 | 74 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 23.5 | 23.3 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 13.6 | 12.5 |
DXO Low light rating | 1183 | 753 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 660 photographs | 690 photographs |
Battery form | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | EN-EL14 | NP-FM500H |
Self timer | Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) | - |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Launch pricing | $0 | $645 |