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Nikon Z fc vs Sony a5100

Portability
79
Imaging
69
Features
80
Overall
73
Nikon Z fc front
 
Sony Alpha a5100 front
Portability
89
Imaging
65
Features
74
Overall
68

Nikon Z fc vs Sony a5100 Key Specs

Nikon Z fc
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Bump to 204800)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 445g - 135 x 94 x 44mm
  • Announced June 2021
Sony a5100
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 283g - 110 x 63 x 36mm
  • Released August 2014
  • Succeeded the Sony a5000
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Nikon Z fc vs Sony a5100 Overview

In this write-up, we will be matching up the Nikon Z fc versus Sony a5100, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Sony. The image resolution of the Z fc (21MP) and the a5100 (24MP) is relatively well matched and they use the same exact sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The Z fc was launched 6 years later than the a5100 and that is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Nikon Z fc being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony a5100 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a brief summary of how the Z fc scores vs the a5100 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z fc over the Sony a5100

 Z fc a5100 
ReleasedJune 2021August 2014Fresher by 84 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1040k922kClearer screen (+118k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Sony a5100 over the Nikon Z fc

 a5100 Z fc 

Common features in the Nikon Z fc and Sony a5100

 Z fc a5100 
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Nikon Z fc vs Sony a5100 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry your camera often, you have to consider its weight and size. The Nikon Z fc has physical dimensions of 135mm x 94mm x 44mm (5.3" x 3.7" x 1.7") having a weight of 445 grams (0.98 lbs) whilst the Sony a5100 has specifications of 110mm x 63mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 283 grams (0.62 lbs).

Check the Nikon Z fc versus Sony a5100 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you choose at the time. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the Z fc compared to the a5100.

Nikon Z fc vs Sony a5100 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the Z fc and a5100 is 79 and 89 respectively.

Nikon Z fc vs Sony a5100 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z fc vs Sony a5100 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor sizing merely by checking specs. The photograph below may give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the Z fc and a5100.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Sony a5100 to resolve greater detail utilizing its extra 3 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop pictures a little more aggressively. The younger Z fc will have a benefit in sensor tech.

Nikon Z fc vs Sony a5100 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z fc vs Sony a5100 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z fc vs Sony a5100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z fc Portrait photography details
Sony a5100 Portrait photography details
81
has manual focus
decent MP (21MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
72
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect focusing
exports RAW files
no external flash support
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z fc as a Street photography camera
Sony a5100 as a Street photography camera
74
screen articulates fully
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
comes with touch to focus
very good high ISO (51,200)
no image stabilization
more heavy than competition in class (445 grams)
82
tilting screen
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
boasts focus by touch
above average ISO range (25,600)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z fc as a Sports photography camera
Sony a5100 as a Sports photography camera
67
decent MP (21MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
comes with phase detect autofocus
no image stabilization
bad battery life (300 CIPA)
68
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
good battery power (400 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect AF
max frames per second very slow (6.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z fc Travel photography info
Sony a5100 Travel photography info
72
connects via bluetooth
comes with touch to focus
decent MP (21 megapixels)
screen is selfie friendly
bad battery life (300 shots)
more heavy than competition in class (445 grams)
80
good battery power (400 per charge)
boasts focus by touch
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
has built in flash
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z fc Landscape photography information
Sony a5100 Landscape photography information
75
has manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
decent MP (21MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
does not have anti-alias filter
very good high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
no image stabilization
bad battery life (300 CIPA)
79
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
decent sized screen (3")
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
above average ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW files
good battery power (400 shots)
no image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z fc as a Vlogging camera
Sony a5100 as a Vlogging camera
73
screen is selfie friendly
has touchscreen
features face detection autofocus
good video quality (3840 x 2160 resolution)
does have external microphone port
no image stabilization
more heavy than competition in class (445 grams)
34
screen is touchscreen
includes face detect focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
no mic socket
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Nikon Z fc vs Sony a5100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z fc and Sony a5100
 Nikon Z fcSony Alpha a5100
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Sony
Model Nikon Z fc Sony Alpha a5100
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2021-06-28 2014-08-17
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 21MP 24MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 5568 x 3712 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 51200 25600
Max boosted ISO 204800 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 209 179
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon Z Sony E
Total lenses 21 121
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 1,040k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 11.0 frames per sec 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 4.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, off Flash off, auto, fill-flaw, slow sync, redeye reduction
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (120p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 445g (0.98 pounds) 283g (0.62 pounds)
Dimensions 135 x 94 x 44mm (5.3" x 3.7" x 1.7") 110 x 63 x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 80
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.7
DXO Low light score not tested 1347
Other
Battery life 300 shots 400 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL25 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec, continuous (3-5 shot))
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Launch pricing $949 $448