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Nikon D5100 vs Sony A7C II

The Nikon D5100 and the Sony Alpha A7C II are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in April 2011 and August 2023. The D5100 is a DSLR, while the A7C II is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. The cameras are based on an APS-C (D5100) and a full frame (A7C II) sensor. The Nikon has a resolution of 16.1 megapixels, whereas the Sony provides 32.7 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Nikon D5100
versus
Sony A7C II
Nikon D5100   Sony A7C II
Digital single lens reflex Mirrorless system camera
Nikon F mount lenses Sony E mount lenses
16.1 MP – APS-C sensor 32.7 MP – Full Frame sensor
1080/30p Video 4K/60p Video
ISO 100-6,400 (100 - 25,600) ISO 100-51,200 (50 - 204,800)
Optical viewfinder Electronic viewfinder (2360k dots)
3.0" LCD – 921k dots 3.0" LCD – 1037k dots
Swivel screen (not touch-sensitive) Swivel touchscreen
4 shutter flaps per second 10 shutter flaps per second
Lens stabilization onlyIn-body stabilization
not weather sealedWeathersealed body
660 shots per battery charge540 shots per battery charge
128 x 97 x 79 mm, 560 g 124 x 71 x 63 mm, 514 g
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Check D5100 offers at
ebay.com
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Check A7C II price at
amazon.com

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Nikon D5100 and the Sony Alpha A7C II? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

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Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Nikon D5100 and the Sony A7C II is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The A7C II can be obtained in two different colors (black, silver), while the D5100 is only available in black.

Size Nikon D5100 vs Sony A7C II
Compare D5100 versus A7C II top
Comparison D5100 or A7C II rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Sony A7C II is notably smaller (29 percent) than the Nikon D5100. Moreover, the A7C II is markedly lighter (8 percent) than the D5100. It is noteworthy in this context that the A7C II is splash and dust-proof, while the D5100 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. A larger imaging sensor will tend to go along with bigger and heavier lenses, although exceptions exist. You can compare the optics available for the two cameras in the Nikon Lens Catalog (D5100) and the Sony FE Lens Catalog (A7C II). Mirrorless cameras, such as the A7C II, have moreover the advantage that they can use many lenses from other systems via adapters, as they have a relatively short flange to focal plane distance.

Concerning battery life, the D5100 gets 660 shots out of its Nikon EN-EL14 battery, while the A7C II can take 540 images on a single charge of its Sony NP-FZ100 power pack. The power pack in the A7C II can be charged via the USB port, which can be very convenient when travelling.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, you can move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

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Body Specifications
  empty Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price
Street
Price
1.
 
Nikon D5100 128 mm 97 mm 79 mm 560 g 660 n Apr 2011 US$ 749ebay.com
2.
 
Sony A7C II 124 mm 71 mm 63 mm 514 g 540 Y Aug 2023 US$ 2 199 amazon.com
3.
 
Canon T2i 129 mm 98 mm 62 mm 530 g 440 n Feb 2010 US$ 699ebay.com
4.
 
Nikon D3100 124 mm 96 mm 75 mm 505 g 550 n Aug 2010 US$ 599ebay.com
5.
 
Nikon D3200 125 mm 96 mm 77 mm 505 g 540 n Apr 2012 US$ 599ebay.com
6.
 
Nikon D5000 127 mm 104 mm 80 mm 590 g 510 n Apr 2009 US$ 749ebay.com
7.
 
Nikon D5200 129 mm 98 mm 78 mm 555 g 500 n Nov 2012 US$ 749ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon D5300 125 mm 98 mm 76 mm 480 g 600 n Oct 2013 US$ 799ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon D5500 124 mm 97 mm 70 mm 470 g 820 n Jan 2015 US$ 899ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon D5600 124 mm 97 mm 70 mm 465 g 970 n Nov 2016 US$ 699ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon D7000 132 mm 105 mm 77 mm 780 g 1050 Y Sep 2010 US$ 1 499ebay.com
12.
 
Sony A7 II 127 mm 96 mm 60 mm 599 g 350 Y Nov 2014 US$ 1 999ebay.com
13.
 
Sony A7 IV 131 mm 96 mm 80 mm 659 g 580 Y Oct 2021 US$ 2 499 amazon.com
14.
 
Sony A7C 124 mm 71 mm 60 mm 509 g 740 Y Sep 2020 US$ 1 799 amazon.com
15.
 
Sony A7R 127 mm 94 mm 48 mm 465 g 340 Y Oct 2013 US$ 2 299ebay.com
16.
 
Sony NEX-5N 111 mm 59 mm 38 mm 269 g 460 n Aug 2011 US$ 699ebay.com
17.
 
Sony ZV-E1 121 mm 72 mm 54 mm 483 g 570 Y Mar 2023 US$ 2 199 amazon.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.

Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The D5100 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 66 percent) than the A7C II, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Nikon D5100 features an APS-C sensor and the Sony A7C II a full frame sensor. The sensor area in the A7C II is 131 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.5 and 1.0. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Nikon D5100 and Sony A7C II sensor measures

With 32.7MP, the A7C II offers a higher resolution than the D5100 (16.1MP), but the A7C II nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 5.12μm versus 4.80μm for the D5100) due to its larger sensor. Moreover, the A7C II is a much more recent model (by 12 years and 4 months) than the D5100, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the A7C II has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Sony A7C II implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the A7C II for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 35 x 23.4 inches or 89 x 59.3 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 28 x 18.7 inches or 71.2 x 47.5 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 23.4 x 15.6 inches or 59.3 x 39.6 cm. The corresponding values for the Nikon D5100 are 24.6 x 16.3 inches or 62.6 x 41.5 cm for good quality, 19.7 x 13.1 inches or 50.1 x 33.2 cm for very good quality, and 16.4 x 10.9 inches or 41.7 x 27.6 cm for excellent quality prints.

The A7C II has on-sensor phase detect pixels, which results in fast and reliable autofocus acquisition even during live view operation.

The Nikon D5100 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 6400, which can be extended to ISO 100-25600. The corresponding ISO settings for the Sony Alpha A7C II are ISO 100 to ISO 51200, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 50-204800.

In terms of underlying technology, the D5100 is build around a CMOS sensor, while the A7C II uses a BSI-CMOS imager. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

D5100 versus A7C II MP

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
  empty Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Nikon D5100 APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/30p23.513.6118380
2.
 
Sony A7C II Full Frame 32.7 7008 46724K/60p25.414.7323796
3.
 
Canon T2i APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.111.578466
4.
 
Nikon D3100 APS-C 14.2 4608 30721080/24p22.511.391967
5.
 
Nikon D3200 APS-C 24.1 6016 40001080/30p24.113.2113181
6.
 
Nikon D5000 APS-C 12.2 4288 2848720/24p22.712.586872
7.
 
Nikon D5200 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60i24.213.9128484
8.
 
Nikon D5300 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.013.9133883
9.
 
Nikon D5500 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.114.0143884
10.
 
Nikon D5600 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.114.0130684
11.
 
Nikon D7000 APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/24p23.513.9116780
12.
 
Sony A7 II Full Frame 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.913.6244990
13.
 
Sony A7 IV Full Frame 32.7 7008 46724K/60p25.414.7337997
14.
 
Sony A7C Full Frame 24.0 6000 40004K/30p25.014.7340795
15.
 
Sony A7R Full Frame 36.2 7360 49121080/60p25.614.1274695
16.
 
Sony NEX-5N APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i23.612.7107977
17.
 
Sony ZV-E1 Full Frame 12.0 4240 28324K/60p25.414.6318196
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, but the A7C II provides a better video resolution than the D5100. It can shoot movie footage at 4K/60p, while the Nikon is limited to 1080/30p.

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Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the A7C II has an electronic viewfinder (2360k dots), while the D5100 has an optical one. Both systems have their advantages, with the electronic viewfinder making it possible to project supplementary shooting information into the framing view, whereas the optical viewfinder offers lag-free viewing and a very clear framing image. The viewfinder in the A7C II offers a wider field of view (100%) than the one in the D5100 (95%), so that a larger proportion of the captured image is visible in the finder. In addition, the viewfinder of the A7C II has a higher magnification (0.7x vs 0.51x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Nikon D5100 and Sony A7C II in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

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Core Features
  empty Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Nikon D5100optical n3.0 / 921 swivel n 1/4000s 4.0/s Y n
2.
 
Sony A7C II2360 n3.0 / 1037 swivel Y 1/4000s 10.0/s n Y
3.
 
Canon T2ioptical n3.0 / 1040 fixed n 1/4000s 3.7/s Y n
4.
 
Nikon D3100optical n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
5.
 
Nikon D3200optical n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 4.0/s Y n
6.
 
Nikon D5000optical n2.7 / 230 full-flex n 1/4000s 4.0/s Y n
7.
 
Nikon D5200optical n3.0 / 921 swivel n 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
8.
 
Nikon D5300optical n3.2 / 1037 swivel n 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
9.
 
Nikon D5500optical n3.2 / 1037 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
10.
 
Nikon D5600optical n3.2 / 1037 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
11.
 
Nikon D7000optical Y3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/8000s 6.0/s Y n
12.
 
Sony A7 II2400 n3.0 / 1230 tilting n 1/8000s 5.0/s n Y
13.
 
Sony A7 IV3686 n3.0 / 1037 swivel Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n Y
14.
 
Sony A7C2360 n3.0 / 922 swivel Y 1/4000s 10.0/s n Y
15.
 
Sony A7R2400 n3.0 / 1230 tilting n 1/8000s 4.0/s n n
16.
 
Sony NEX-5Noptional n3.0 / 920 tilting Y 1/4000s 10.0/s n n
17.
 
Sony ZV-E1none n3.0 / 1037 swivel Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The D5100 has one, while the A7C II does not. While the built-in flash of the D5100 is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light.

Both cameras have an articulated rear screen that can be turned to be front-facing. This feature will be particularly appreciated by vloggers and photographers who are interested in taking selfies.

The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, the A7C II is one of those camera that have an additional electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

The Nikon D5100 and the Sony A7C II both have an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

The D5100 writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the A7C II uses SDXC or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards. The A7C II supports UHS-II cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 312 MB/s), while the D5100 can use UHS-I cards (up to 104 MB/s).

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Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Nikon D5100 and Sony Alpha A7C II and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
  empty Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Nikon D5100Ymono / monoY-mini2.0---
2.
 
Sony A7C IIYstereo / monoYYmicro3.2Y-Y
3.
 
Canon T2iYstereo / -Y-mini2.0---
4.
 
Nikon D3100Ymono / mono--mini2.0---
5.
 
Nikon D3200Ymono / monoY-mini2.0---
6.
 
Nikon D5000Ymono / mono--mini2.0---
7.
 
Nikon D5200Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0---
8.
 
Nikon D5300Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0Y--
9.
 
Nikon D5500Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0Y--
10.
 
Nikon D5600Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0YYY
11.
 
Nikon D7000Ymono / monoY-mini2.0---
12.
 
Sony A7 IIYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
13.
 
Sony A7 IVYstereo / monoYYfull3.2Y-Y
14.
 
Sony A7CYstereo / monoYYmicro3.2YYY
15.
 
Sony A7RYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
16.
 
Sony NEX-5NYstereo / mono--mini2.0---
17.
 
Sony ZV-E1Ystereo / monoYYmicro3.2Y-Y

It is notable that the A7C II offers wifi support, which can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location. In contrast, the D5100 does not provide wifi capability.

The A7C II is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Sony. In contrast, the D5100 has been discontinued (but can be found pre-owned on ebay). As a replacement in the same line of cameras, the D5100 was succeeded by the Nikon D5200. Further information on the features and operation of the D5100 and A7C II can be found, respectively, in the Nikon D5100 Manual (free pdf) or the online Sony A7C II Manual.

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Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Is the Nikon D5100 better than the Sony A7C II or vice versa? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

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Advantages of the Nikon D5100:

  • Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
  • Brighter framing: Features an optical viewfinder for clear, lag-free composition.
  • Longer lasting: Can take more shots (660 versus 540) on a single battery charge.
  • Easier fill-in: Is equipped with a small onboard flash to brighten deep shadow areas.
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (66 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in April 2011).

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Reasons to prefer the Sony Alpha A7C II:

  • More detail: Has more megapixels (32.7 vs 16.1MP), which boosts linear resolution by 42%.
  • Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
  • Better image quality: Is equipped with a larger and more technologically advanced sensor.
  • Richer colors: The sensor size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
  • More dynamic range: Larger sensor captures a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
  • Better low-light sensitivity: Larger sensor produces good images even in poorly lit environments.
  • Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (4K/60p vs 1080/30p).
  • Better live-view autofocus: Features on-sensor phase-detection for more confident autofocus.
  • Better sound control: Has a headphone port that enables audio monitoring while recording.
  • More framing info: Has an electronic viewfinder that displays shooting data.
  • More complete view: Has a viewfinder with a larger field of view (100% vs 95%).
  • Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.7x vs 0.51x).
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1037k vs 921k dots).
  • Fewer buttons to press: Has a touchscreen to facilitate handling and shooting adjustments.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (10 vs 4 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Less disturbing: Has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting.
  • More compact: Is smaller (124x71mm vs 128x97mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
  • Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
  • Better sealing: Is splash and dust sealed for shooting in inclement weather conditions.
  • Sharper images: Has stabilization technology built-in to reduce the impact of hand-shake.
  • More legacy lens friendly: Can use many non-native lenses via adapters.
  • Faster data transfer: Supports a more advanced USB protocol (3.2 vs 2.0).
  • Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
  • Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
  • Faster buffer clearing: Supports a more advanced SD data transfer standard (UHS-II vs UHS-I).
  • More modern: Reflects 12 years and 4 months of technical progress since the D5100 launch.

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the A7C II is the clear winner of the contest (26 : 6 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

D5100 06:26 A7C II

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Nikon D5100 and the Sony A7C II place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera and Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the D5100 or the A7C II perform in practice. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

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Expert Camera Reviews
  empty  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price
Street
Price
1.
 
Nikon D51005/5+ +..76/1004.5/54.5/5 Apr 2011 US$ 749ebay.com
2.
 
Sony A7C II4/5..4/587/1004.5/54.5/5 Aug 2023 US$ 2 199 amazon.com
3.
 
Canon T2i..+ +..77/1004/54.5/5 Feb 2010 US$ 699ebay.com
4.
 
Nikon D31005/5+ +..72/1004.5/54.5/5 Aug 2010 US$ 599ebay.com
5.
 
Nikon D32005/5+ +..73/1004.5/54.5/5 Apr 2012 US$ 599ebay.com
6.
 
Nikon D5000..+ +..75/1004/54.5/5 Apr 2009 US$ 749ebay.com
7.
 
Nikon D52004/5+ +..79/1004.5/54.5/5 Nov 2012 US$ 749ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon D53004/5+ +..79/1004.5/54.5/5 Oct 2013 US$ 799ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon D55005/5+..79/1004.5/54.5/5 Jan 2015 US$ 899ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon D56004/5..4/579/1004.5/54/5 Nov 2016 US$ 699ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon D70004/5....80/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2010 US$ 1 499ebay.com
12.
 
Sony A7 II5/5+4/582/1004.5/55/5 Nov 2014 US$ 1 999ebay.com
13.
 
Sony A7 IV5/5+ +4.5/589/1004.5/54.5/5 Oct 2021 US$ 2 499 amazon.com
14.
 
Sony A7C3.5/5..3.5/586/1004/54/5 Sep 2020 US$ 1 799 amazon.com
15.
 
Sony A7R5/5+ +..82/1004.5/55/5 Oct 2013 US$ 2 299ebay.com
16.
 
Sony NEX-5N3/5+ +..79/1004.5/54.5/5 Aug 2011 US$ 699ebay.com
17.
 
Sony ZV-E1..+4/5....4.5/5 Mar 2023 US$ 2 199 amazon.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

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Check D5100 offers at
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Check A7C II price at
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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just use the search menu below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

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    Specifications: Nikon D5100 vs Sony A7C II

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Nikon D5100 Sony A7C II
    Camera Type Digital single lens reflex Mirrorless system camera
    Camera Lens Nikon F mount lenses Sony E mount lenses
    Launch Date April 2011 August 2023
    Launch Price USD 749 USD 2,199
    Sensor Specs Nikon D5100 Sony A7C II
    Sensor Technology CMOS BSI-CMOS
    Sensor Format APS-C Sensor Full Frame Sensor
    Sensor Size 23.6 x 15.7 mm 35.9 x 23.9 mm
    Sensor Area 370.52 mm2 858.01 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 28.3 mm 43.1 mm
    Crop Factor 1.5x 1.0x
    Sensor Resolution 16.1 Megapixels 32.7 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4928 x 3264 pixels 7008 x 4672 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 4.80 μm 5.12 μm
    Pixel Density 4.34 MP/cm2 3.82 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter no AA filter
    Movie Capability 1080/30p Video 4K/60p Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 6,400 ISO 100 - 51,200 ISO
    ISO Boost 100 - 25,600 ISO 50 - 204,800 ISO
    Image Processor EXPEED 2 BIONZ XR
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 80 ..
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 23.5 ..
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 13.6 ..
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 1183 ..
    Screen Specs Nikon D5100 Sony A7C II
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder Electronic viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 95% 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.51x 0.7x
    Viewfinder Resolution 2360k dots
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 921k dots 1037k dots
    LCD Attachment Swivel screen Swivel screen
    Touch Input no Touchscreen Touchscreen
    Shooting Specs Nikon D5100 Sony A7C II
    Focus System Phase-detect AF On-Sensor Phase-detect
    Manual Focusing Aidno Peaking FeatureFocus Peaking
    Max Shutter Speed (mechanical) 1/4000s 1/4000s
    Continuous Shooting 4 shutter flaps/s 10 shutter flaps/s
    Shutter Life Expectancy100 000 actuations200 000 actuations
    Electronic Shutterno E-Shutterup to 1/8000s
    Time-Lapse PhotographyIntervalometer built-inIntervalometer built-in
    Image StabilizationLens stabilization onlyIn-body stabilization
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash no On-Board Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards MS or SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
    UHS card support UHS-I UHS-II
    Connectivity Specs Nikon D5100 Sony A7C II
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 3.2
    HDMI Port mini HDMI micro HDMI
    Microphone Port External MIC port External MIC port
    Headphone Socket no Headphone port Headphone port
    Wifi Support no Wifi Wifi built-in
    Bluetooth Support no Bluetooth Bluetooth built-in
    Body Specs Nikon D5100 Sony A7C II
    Environmental Sealingnot weather sealedWeathersealed body
    Battery Type Nikon EN-EL14 Sony NP-FZ100
    Battery Life (CIPA)660 shots per charge540 shots per charge
    In-Camera Charging no USB charging USB charging
    Body Dimensions 128 x 97 x 79 mm
    (5.0 x 3.8 x 3.1 in)
    124 x 71 x 63 mm
    (4.9 x 2.8 x 2.5 in)
    Camera Weight 560 g (19.8 oz) 514 g (18.1 oz)
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