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Nikon D5100 vs Sony A7S

The Nikon D5100 and the Sony Alpha A7S are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in April 2011 and April 2014. The D5100 is a DSLR, while the A7S is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. The cameras are based on an APS-C (D5100) and a full frame (A7S) sensor. The Nikon has a resolution of 16.1 megapixels, whereas the Sony provides 12 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 A7S
Nikon D5100   Sony A7S
Digital single lens reflex Mirrorless system camera
Nikon F mount lenses Sony E mount lenses
16.1 MP – APS-C sensor 12 MP – Full Frame sensor
1080/30p Video 1080/60p Video
ISO 100-6,400 (100 - 25,600) ISO 100-102,400 (50 - 409,600)
Optical viewfinder Electronic viewfinder (2400k dots)
3.0" LCD – 921k dots 3.0" LCD – 921k dots
Swivel screen (not touch-sensitive) Tilting screen (no touchscreen)
4 shutter flaps per second 5 shutter flaps per second
not weather sealedWeathersealed body
660 shots per battery charge380 shots per battery charge
128 x 97 x 79 mm, 560 g 127 x 94 x 48 mm, 489 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Nikon D5100 and the Sony Alpha A7S? 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 A7S is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Size Nikon D5100 vs Sony A7S
Compare D5100 versus A7S top
Comparison D5100 or A7S rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Sony A7S is somewhat smaller (4 percent) than the Nikon D5100. Moreover, the A7S is markedly lighter (13 percent) than the D5100. It is noteworthy in this context that the A7S 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 (A7S). Mirrorless cameras, such as the A7S, 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 A7S can take 380 images on a single charge of its Sony NP-FW50 power pack. The power pack in the A7S can be charged via the USB port, which can be very convenient when travelling.

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. 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
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Nikon D5100 128 mm 97 mm 79 mm 560 g 660 n Apr 2011 749ebay.com
2.
 
Sony A7S 127 mm 94 mm 48 mm 489 g 380 Y Apr 2014 2,499ebay.com
3.
 
Canon T2i 129 mm 98 mm 62 mm 530 g 440 n Feb 2010 699ebay.com
4.
 
Nikon D5600 124 mm 97 mm 70 mm 465 g 970 n Nov 2016 699ebay.com
5.
 
Nikon D5500 124 mm 97 mm 70 mm 470 g 820 n Jan 2015 899ebay.com
6.
 
Nikon Df 144 mm 110 mm 67 mm 760 g 1400 Y Nov 2013 2,749ebay.com
7.
 
Nikon D5300 125 mm 98 mm 76 mm 480 g 600 n Oct 2013 799ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon D3200 125 mm 96 mm 77 mm 505 g 540 n Apr 2012 599ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon D5200 129 mm 98 mm 78 mm 555 g 500 n Nov 2012 749ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon D7000 132 mm 105 mm 77 mm 780 g 1050 Y Sep 2010 1,499ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon D3100 124 mm 96 mm 75 mm 505 g 550 n Aug 2010 599ebay.com
12.
 
Nikon D5000 127 mm 104 mm 80 mm 590 g 510 n Apr 2009 749ebay.com
13.
 
Sony ZV-E1 121 mm 72 mm 54 mm 483 g 570 Y Mar 2023 2,199 amazon.com
14.
 
Sony A7S II 127 mm 96 mm 60 mm 627 g 370 Y Sep 2015 2,999ebay.com
15.
 
Sony A7 127 mm 94 mm 48 mm 474 g 340 Y Oct 2013 1,699ebay.com
16.
 
Sony A7R 127 mm 94 mm 48 mm 465 g 340 Y Oct 2013 2,299ebay.com
17.
 
Sony NEX-5N 111 mm 59 mm 38 mm 269 g 460 n Aug 2011 699ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. 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 70 percent) than the A7S, 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.

Sensor comparison

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its 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 A7S a full frame sensor. The sensor area in the A7S 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 A7S sensor measures

Despite having a smaller sensor, the Nikon D5100 offers a higher resolution of 16.1 megapixels, compared with 12 MP of the Sony A7S. This megapixels advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 4.80μm versus 8.45μm for the A7S). Moreover, it should be noted that the A7S is much more recent (by 3 years) 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.

The resolution advantage of the Nikon D5100 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the D5100 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 24.6 x 16.3 inches or 62.6 x 41.5 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 19.7 x 13.1 inches or 50.1 x 33.2 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 16.4 x 10.9 inches or 41.7 x 27.6 cm. The corresponding values for the Sony A7S are 21.2 x 14.2 inches or 53.8 x 36 cm for good quality, 17 x 11.3 inches or 43.1 x 28.8 cm for very good quality, and 14.1 x 9.4 inches or 35.9 x 24 cm for excellent quality prints.

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 A7S are ISO 100 to ISO 102400, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 50-409600.

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. 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 A7S MP

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. 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. Of the two cameras under consideration, the A7S has a markedly higher DXO score than the D5100 (overall score 7 points higher), which will translate into better image quality. The advantage is based on 0.4 bits higher color depth, 0.4 EV of lower dynamic range, and 1.6 stops in additional low light sensitivity. 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
# image 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 A7S Full Frame 12.0 4240 28321080/60p23.913.2370287
3.
 
Canon T2i APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.111.578466
4.
 
Nikon D5600 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.114.0130684
5.
 
Nikon D5500 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.114.0143884
6.
 
Nikon Df Full Frame 16.2 4928 3280none24.613.1327989
7.
 
Nikon D5300 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.013.9133883
8.
 
Nikon D3200 APS-C 24.1 6016 40001080/30p24.113.2113181
9.
 
Nikon D5200 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60i24.213.9128484
10.
 
Nikon D7000 APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/24p23.513.9116780
11.
 
Nikon D3100 APS-C 14.2 4608 30721080/24p22.511.391967
12.
 
Nikon D5000 APS-C 12.2 4288 2848720/24p22.712.586872
13.
 
Sony ZV-E1 Full Frame 12.0 4240 28324K/60p25.414.6318196
14.
 
Sony A7S II Full Frame 12.0 4240 28324K/30p23.613.3299385
15.
 
Sony A7 Full Frame 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.814.2224890
16.
 
Sony A7R Full Frame 36.2 7360 49121080/60p25.614.1274695
17.
 
Sony NEX-5N APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i23.612.7107977
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, but the A7S provides a faster frame rate than the D5100. It can shoot movie footage at 1080/60p, while the Nikon is limited to 1080/30p.

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Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the A7S has an electronic viewfinder (2400k 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 A7S 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 A7S has a higher magnification (0.71x vs 0.51x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Nikon D5100 and Sony A7S along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

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Core Features
# image 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 A7S2400 n3.0 / 921 tilting n 1/8000s 5.0/s n n
3.
 
Canon T2ioptical n3.0 / 1040 fixed n 1/4000s 3.7/s Y n
4.
 
Nikon D5600optical n3.2 / 1037 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
5.
 
Nikon D5500optical n3.2 / 1037 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
6.
 
Nikon Dfoptical Y3.2 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 5.5/s n n
7.
 
Nikon D5300optical n3.2 / 1037 swivel n 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
8.
 
Nikon D3200optical n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 4.0/s Y n
9.
 
Nikon D5200optical n3.0 / 921 swivel n 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
10.
 
Nikon D7000optical Y3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/8000s 6.0/s Y n
11.
 
Nikon D3100optical n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
12.
 
Nikon D5000optical n2.7 / 230 full-flex n 1/4000s 4.0/s Y n
13.
 
Sony ZV-E1none n3.0 / 1037 swivel Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n Y
14.
 
Sony A7S II2400 n3.0 / 1229 tilting n 1/8000s 5.0/s n Y
15.
 
Sony A72400 n3.0 / 1230 tilting n 1/8000s 5.0/s n n
16.
 
Sony A7R2400 n3.0 / 1230 tilting n 1/8000s 4.0/s n n
17.
 
Sony NEX-5Noptional n3.0 / 920 tilting Y 1/4000s 10.0/s n n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The D5100 has one, while the A7S 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.

The D5100 has an articulated LCD that can be turned to be front-facing. This characteristic will be appreciated by vloggers and photographers who are interested in snapping selfies. In contrast, the A7S does not have a selfie-screen.

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 A7S 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 has 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 A7S uses SDXC or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards. Both cameras can use UHS-I cards, which provide for Ultra High Speed data transfer of 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 A7S and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
# image 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 A7SYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
3.
 
Canon T2iYstereo / -Y-mini2.0---
4.
 
Nikon D5600Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0YYY
5.
 
Nikon D5500Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0Y--
6.
 
Nikon DfY- / ---mini2.0---
7.
 
Nikon D5300Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0Y--
8.
 
Nikon D3200Ymono / monoY-mini2.0---
9.
 
Nikon D5200Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0---
10.
 
Nikon D7000Ymono / monoY-mini2.0---
11.
 
Nikon D3100Ymono / mono--mini2.0---
12.
 
Nikon D5000Ymono / mono--mini2.0---
13.
 
Sony ZV-E1Ystereo / monoYYmicro3.2Y-Y
14.
 
Sony A7S IIYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
15.
 
Sony A7Ystereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
16.
 
Sony A7RYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
17.
 
Sony NEX-5NYstereo / mono--mini2.0---
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It is notable that the A7S 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.

Both the D5100 and the A7S have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The D5100 was replaced by the Nikon D5200, while the A7S was followed by the Sony A7S II. Further information on the features and operation of the D5100 and A7S can be found, respectively, in the Nikon D5100 Manual (free pdf) or the online Sony A7S Manual.

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Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Is the Nikon D5100 better than the Sony A7S or vice versa? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.

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Advantages of the Nikon D5100:

  • More detail: Offers more megapixels (16.1 vs 12MP) with a 16% higher linear resolution.
  • Brighter framing: Features an optical viewfinder for clear, lag-free composition.
  • More flexible LCD: Has a swivel screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
  • More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
  • Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
  • Longer lasting: Can take more shots (660 versus 380) 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 (70 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in April 2011).

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Arguments in favor of the Sony Alpha A7S:

  • Better image quality: Scores markedly higher (7 points) in the DXO overall evaluation.
  • Better low-light sensitivity: Can shoot in dim conditions (1.6 stops ISO advantage).
  • Better video: Provides higher movie framerates (1080/60p versus 1080/30p).
  • 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 (0.71x vs 0.51x).
  • Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (5 vs 4 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Less disturbing: Has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting.
  • Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 71g or 13 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
  • Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
  • Better sealing: Is splash and dust sealed for shooting in inclement weather conditions.
  • More legacy lens friendly: Can use many non-native lenses via adapters.
  • Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
  • Easier device pairing: Supports NFC for fast wireless image transfer over short distances.
  • More modern: Reflects 3 years of technical progress since the D5100 launch.

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the A7S is the clear winner of the contest (17 : 9 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. 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 09:17 A7S

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Nikon D5100 and the Sony A7S 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 specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the D5100 and the A7S in practical situations. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear 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
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Nikon D51005/5+ +..76/1004.5/54.5/5 Apr 2011 749ebay.com
2.
 
Sony A7S4/5....86/1004.5/55/5 Apr 2014 2,499ebay.com
3.
 
Canon T2i..+ +..77/1004/54.5/5 Feb 2010 699ebay.com
4.
 
Nikon D56004/5..4/579/1004.5/54/5 Nov 2016 699ebay.com
5.
 
Nikon D55005/5+..79/1004.5/54.5/5 Jan 2015 899ebay.com
6.
 
Nikon Df4/5....81/1004/54/5 Nov 2013 2,749ebay.com
7.
 
Nikon D53004/5+ +..79/1004.5/54.5/5 Oct 2013 799ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon D32005/5+ +..73/1004.5/54.5/5 Apr 2012 599ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon D52004/5+ +..79/1004.5/54.5/5 Nov 2012 749ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon D70004/5....80/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2010 1,499ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon D31005/5+ +..72/1004.5/54.5/5 Aug 2010 599ebay.com
12.
 
Nikon D5000..+ +..75/1004/54.5/5 Apr 2009 749ebay.com
13.
 
Sony ZV-E1..+4/5....4.5/5 Mar 2023 2,199 amazon.com
14.
 
Sony A7S II5/5+....4.5/55/5 Sep 2015 2,999ebay.com
15.
 
Sony A75/5+ +..80/1005/55/5 Oct 2013 1,699ebay.com
16.
 
Sony A7R5/5+ +..82/1004.5/55/5 Oct 2013 2,299ebay.com
17.
 
Sony NEX-5N3/5+ +..79/1004.5/54.5/5 Aug 2011 699ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just use the search menu below. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

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    Specifications: Nikon D5100 vs Sony A7S

    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 A7S
    Camera Type Digital single lens reflex Mirrorless system camera
    Camera Lens Nikon F mount lenses Sony E mount lenses
    Launch Date April 2011 April 2014
    Launch Price USD 749 USD 2,499
    Sensor Specs Nikon D5100 Sony A7S
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format APS-C Sensor Full Frame Sensor
    Sensor Size 23.6 x 15.7 mm 35.8 x 23.9 mm
    Sensor Area 370.52 mm2 855.62 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 28.3 mm 43 mm
    Crop Factor 1.5x 1.0x
    Sensor Resolution 16.1 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4928 x 3264 pixels 4240 x 2832 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 4.80 μm 8.45 μm
    Pixel Density 4.34 MP/cm2 1.40 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 1080/30p Video 1080/60p Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 6,400 ISO 100 - 102,400 ISO
    ISO Boost 100 - 25,600 ISO 50 - 409,600 ISO
    Image Processor EXPEED 2 BIONZ X
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 80 87
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 23.5 23.9
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 13.6 13.2
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 1183 3702
    Screen Specs Nikon D5100 Sony A7S
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder Electronic viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 95% 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.51x 0.71x
    Viewfinder Resolution 2400k dots
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 921k dots 921k dots
    LCD Attachment Swivel screen Tilting screen
    Shooting Specs Nikon D5100 Sony A7S
    Focus System Phase-detect AF Contrast-detect AF
    Manual Focusing Aidno Peaking FeatureFocus Peaking
    Max Shutter Speed (mechanical) 1/4000s 1/8000s
    Continuous Shooting 4 shutter flaps/s 5 shutter flaps/s
    Electronic Shutterno E-ShutterYES
    Time-Lapse PhotographyIntervalometer built-inno Intervalometer
    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-I
    Connectivity Specs Nikon D5100 Sony A7S
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    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
    Near-Field Communication no NFC NFC built-in
    Body Specs Nikon D5100 Sony A7S
    Environmental Sealingnot weather sealedWeathersealed body
    Battery Type Nikon EN-EL14 Sony NP-FW50
    Battery Life (CIPA)660 shots per charge380 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)
    127 x 94 x 48 mm
    (5.0 x 3.7 x 1.9 in)
    Camera Weight 560 g (19.8 oz) 489 g (17.2 oz)
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