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Sony A7 II vs Nikon D3100

The Sony Alpha A7 II and the Nikon D3100 are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in November 2014 and August 2010. The A7 II is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, while the D3100 is a DSLR. The cameras are based on a full frame (A7 II) and an APS-C (D3100) sensor. The Sony has a resolution of 24 megapixels, whereas the Nikon provides 14.2 MP.

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

Headline Specifications
Sony A7 II
versus
Nikon D3100
Sony A7 II   Nikon D3100
Mirrorless system camera Digital single lens reflex
Sony E mount lenses Nikon F mount lenses
24 MP – Full Frame sensor 14.2 MP – APS-C sensor
1080/60p Video 1080/24p Video
ISO 100-25,600 (50 - 51,200) ISO 100-3,200 (100 - 12,800)
Electronic viewfinder (2400k dots) Optical viewfinder
3.0" LCD – 1230k dots 3.0" LCD – 230k dots
Tilting screen (no touchscreen) Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
5 shutter flaps per second 3 shutter flaps per second
In-body stabilizationLens stabilization only
Weathersealed bodynot weather sealed
350 shots per battery charge550 shots per battery charge
127 x 96 x 60 mm, 599 g 124 x 96 x 75 mm, 505 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Sony Alpha A7 II and the Nikon D3100? 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

The physical size and weight of the Sony A7 II and the Nikon D3100 are illustrated 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 D3100 can be obtained in two different colors (black, red), while the A7 II is only available in black.

Size Sony A7 II vs Nikon D3100
Compare A7 II versus D3100 top
Comparison A7 II or D3100 rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Nikon D3100 is somewhat smaller (2 percent) than the Sony A7 II. Moreover, the D3100 is markedly lighter (16 percent) than the A7 II. It is worth mentioning in this context that the A7 II is splash and dust resistant, while the D3100 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 Sony FE Lens Catalog (A7 II) and the Nikon Lens Catalog (D3100). Mirrorless cameras, such as the Sony A7 II, have moreover the advantage that they have a relatively short flange to focal plane distance and can thus use many lenses from other systems via adapters.

Concerning battery life, the A7 II gets 350 shots out of its Sony NP-FW50 battery, while the D3100 can take 550 images on a single charge of its Nikon EN-EL14 power pack. The power pack in the A7 II can be charged via the USB port, so that it is not always necessary to take the battery charger along when travelling.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras 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.
 
Sony A7 II 127 mm 96 mm 60 mm 599 g 350 Y Nov 2014 1,999ebay.com
2.
 
Nikon D3100 124 mm 96 mm 75 mm 505 g 550 n Aug 2010 599ebay.com
3.
 
Nikon D3200 125 mm 96 mm 77 mm 505 g 540 n Apr 2012 599ebay.com
4.
 
Nikon D5100 128 mm 97 mm 79 mm 560 g 660 n Apr 2011 749ebay.com
5.
 
Nikon D7000 132 mm 105 mm 77 mm 780 g 1050 Y Sep 2010 1,499ebay.com
6.
 
Nikon D3000 126 mm 97 mm 64 mm 536 g 500 n Jul 2009 599ebay.com
7.
 
Nikon D5000 127 mm 104 mm 80 mm 590 g 510 n Apr 2009 749ebay.com
8.
 
Sony A7C 124 mm 71 mm 60 mm 509 g 740 Y Sep 2020 1,799 amazon.com
9.
 
Sony A9 II 129 mm 96 mm 76 mm 678 g 690 Y Oct 2019 4,499 amazon.com
10.
 
Sony A7 III 127 mm 96 mm 74 mm 650 g 610 Y Feb 2018 1,999 amazon.com
11.
 
Sony A7R III 127 mm 96 mm 74 mm 650 g 650 Y Oct 2017 3,199ebay.com
12.
 
Sony A9 127 mm 96 mm 63 mm 673 g 650 Y Apr 2017 4,499ebay.com
13.
 
Sony A7R II 127 mm 96 mm 60 mm 625 g 290 Y Jun 2015 3,199ebay.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 A77 143 mm 104 mm 81 mm 732 g 470 Y Aug 2011 1,399ebay.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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Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. 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 D3100 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 70 percent) than the A7 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 imaging sensor is a crucial determinant 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. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Sony A7 II features a full frame sensor and the Nikon D3100 an APS-C sensor. The sensor area in the D3100 is 58 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.0 and 1.5. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Sony A7 II and Nikon D3100 sensor measures

With 24MP, the A7 II offers a higher resolution than the D3100 (14.2MP), but the A7 II nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 5.97μm versus 5.01μm for the D3100) due to its larger sensor. Moreover, the A7 II is a much more recent model (by 4 years and 3 months) than the D3100, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixels.

The resolution advantage of the Sony A7 II implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the A7 II for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 30 x 20 inches or 76.2 x 50.8 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 24 x 16 inches or 61 x 40.6 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 20 x 13.3 inches or 50.8 x 33.9 cm. The corresponding values for the Nikon D3100 are 23 x 15.4 inches or 58.5 x 39 cm for good quality, 18.4 x 12.3 inches or 46.8 x 31.2 cm for very good quality, and 15.4 x 10.2 inches or 39 x 26 cm for excellent quality prints.

The A7 II has on-sensor phase detect pixels, which results in fast and reliable autofocus acquisition even during live view operation.

The Sony Alpha A7 II has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 25600, which can be extended to ISO 50-51200. The corresponding ISO settings for the Nikon D3100 are ISO 100 to ISO 3200, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-12800.

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.

A7 II versus D3100 MP

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). Of the two cameras under review, the A7 II provides substantially higher image quality than the D3100, with an overall score that is 23 points higher. This advantage is based on 2.4 bits higher color depth, 2.3 EV in additional dynamic range, and 1.4 stops in additional low light sensitivity. The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar 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.
 
Sony A7 II Full Frame 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.913.6244990
2.
 
Nikon D3100 APS-C 14.2 4608 30721080/24p22.511.391967
3.
 
Nikon D3200 APS-C 24.1 6016 40001080/30p24.113.2113181
4.
 
Nikon D5100 APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/30p23.513.6118380
5.
 
Nikon D7000 APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/24p23.513.9116780
6.
 
Nikon D3000 APS-C 10.0 3872 2592none22.311.156362
7.
 
Nikon D5000 APS-C 12.2 4288 2848720/24p22.712.586872
8.
 
Sony A7C Full Frame 24.0 6000 40004K/30p25.014.7340795
9.
 
Sony A9 II Full Frame 24.0 6000 40004K/30p25.014.0343493
10.
 
Sony A7 III Full Frame 24.0 6000 40004K/30p25.014.7373096
11.
 
Sony A7R III Full Frame 42.2 7952 53044K/30p26.014.73523100
12.
 
Sony A9 Full Frame 24.0 6000 40004K/30p24.913.3351792
13.
 
Sony A7R II Full Frame 42.2 7952 53044K/30p26.013.9343498
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 A77 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.013.280178
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Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, but the A7 II provides a higher frame rate than the D3100. It can shoot video footage at 1080/60p, while the Nikon is limited to 1080/24p.

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Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the A7 II has an electronic viewfinder (2400k dots), while the D3100 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 A7 II offers a wider field of view (100%) than the one in the D3100 (95%), so that a larger proportion of the captured image is visible in the finder. In addition, the viewfinder of the A7 II has a higher magnification (0.71x vs 0.53x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Sony A7 II, the Nikon D3100, and comparable cameras.

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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.
 
Sony A7 II2400 n3.0 / 1230 tilting n 1/8000s 5.0/s n Y
2.
 
Nikon D3100optical n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
3.
 
Nikon D3200optical n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 4.0/s Y n
4.
 
Nikon D5100optical n3.0 / 921 swivel n 1/4000s 4.0/s Y n
5.
 
Nikon D7000optical Y3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/8000s 6.0/s Y n
6.
 
Nikon D3000optical n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
7.
 
Nikon D5000optical n2.7 / 230 full-flex n 1/4000s 4.0/s Y n
8.
 
Sony A7C2360 n3.0 / 922 swivel Y 1/4000s 10.0/s n Y
9.
 
Sony A9 II3686 n3.0 / 1440 tilting Y 1/8000s 20.0/s n Y
10.
 
Sony A7 III2359 n3.0 / 922 tilting Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n Y
11.
 
Sony A7R III3686 n3.0 / 1440 tilting Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n Y
12.
 
Sony A93686 n3.0 / 1440 tilting Y 1/8000s 20.0/s n Y
13.
 
Sony A7R II2400 n3.0 / 1229 tilting n 1/8000s 5.0/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 A772359 Y3.0 / 921 full-flex n 1/8000s 12.0/s Y Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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One feature that differentiates the A7 II and the D3100 is in-body image stabilization (IBIS). The A7 II reduces the risk of handshake-induced blur with all attached lenses, while the D3100 offers no blur reduction with lenses that themselves do not provide optical image stabilization.

The A7 II writes its imaging data to SDXC or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards, while the D3100 uses SDXC cards. The A7 II supports UHS-I cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s), while the D3100 cannot take advantage of Ultra High Speed SD cards.

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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 Sony Alpha A7 II and Nikon D3100 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.
 
Sony A7 IIYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
2.
 
Nikon D3100Ymono / mono--mini2.0---
3.
 
Nikon D3200Ymono / monoY-mini2.0---
4.
 
Nikon D5100Ymono / monoY-mini2.0---
5.
 
Nikon D7000Ymono / monoY-mini2.0---
6.
 
Nikon D3000Y- / ----2.0---
7.
 
Nikon D5000Ymono / mono--mini2.0---
8.
 
Sony A7CYstereo / monoYYmicro3.2YYY
9.
 
Sony A9 IIYstereo / monoYYmicro3.1YYY
10.
 
Sony A7 IIIYstereo / monoYYmicro3.1YYY
11.
 
Sony A7R IIIYstereo / monoYYmicro3.1YYY
12.
 
Sony A9Ystereo / monoYYmicro2.0YYY
13.
 
Sony A7R IIYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
14.
 
Sony A7S IIYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
15.
 
Sony A7Ystereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
16.
 
Sony A7RYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
17.
 
Sony A77Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0---
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It is notable that the A7 II has a microphone port, which is missing on the D3100. Such an external microphone input can help to substantially improve the quality of audio recordings when a good external microphone is used.

Both the A7 II and the D3100 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The D3100 was replaced by the Nikon D3200, while the A7 II was followed by the Sony A7 III. Further information on the features and operation of the A7 II and D3100 can be found, respectively, in the Sony A7 II Manual (free pdf) or the online Nikon D3100 Manual.

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Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Is the Sony A7 II better than the Nikon D3100 or vice versa? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

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Arguments in favor of the Sony Alpha A7 II:

  • More detail: Offers more megapixels (24 vs 14.2MP) with a 30% higher linear resolution.
  • Better image quality: Scores substantially higher (23 points) in the DXO overall assessment.
  • Richer colors: Generates images with noticeably better colors (2.4 bits more color depth).
  • More dynamic range: Captures a larger spectrum of light and dark details (2.3 EV of extra DR).
  • Better low-light sensitivity: Requires less light for good images (1.4 stops ISO advantage).
  • Better video: Provides higher movie framerates (1080/60p versus 1080/24p).
  • Better live-view autofocus: Features on-sensor phase-detection for more confident autofocus.
  • Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.
  • 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 0.53x).
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1230k vs 230k dots).
  • More flexible LCD: Has a tilting screen for odd-angle shots in landscape orientation.
  • Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (5 vs 3 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
  • Better sealing: Is weather sealed to enable shooting in dusty or wet environments.
  • Sharper images: Has hand-shake reducing image stabilization built-in.
  • More legacy lens friendly: Can take a broad range of 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.
  • Faster buffer clearing: Has an SD card interface that supports the UHS-I standard.
  • More modern: Reflects 4 years and 3 months of technical progress since the D3100 launch.

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Advantages of the Nikon D3100:

  • Brighter framing: Features an optical viewfinder for clear, lag-free composition.
  • Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 94g or 16 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
  • Longer lasting: Gets more shots (550 versus 350) out of a single battery charge.
  • Easier fill-in: Has a small integrated flash to brighten shadows of backlit subjects.
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (70 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in August 2010).

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the A7 II is the clear winner of the match-up (24 : 6 points). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

A7 II 24:06 D3100

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Sony A7 II and the Nikon D3100 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera and Best DSLR 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 partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the A7 II or the D3100. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable.

Expert reviews

This is why expert reviews 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.
 
Sony A7 II5/5+4/582/1004.5/55/5 Nov 2014 1,999ebay.com
2.
 
Nikon D31005/5+ +..72/1004.5/54.5/5 Aug 2010 599ebay.com
3.
 
Nikon D32005/5+ +..73/1004.5/54.5/5 Apr 2012 599ebay.com
4.
 
Nikon D51005/5+ +..76/1004.5/54.5/5 Apr 2011 749ebay.com
5.
 
Nikon D70004/5....80/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2010 1,499ebay.com
6.
 
Nikon D3000..+..72/1004/54.5/5 Jul 2009 599ebay.com
7.
 
Nikon D5000..+ +..75/1004/54.5/5 Apr 2009 749ebay.com
8.
 
Sony A7C3.5/5..3.5/586/1004/54/5 Sep 2020 1,799 amazon.com
9.
 
Sony A9 II....5/590/1005/55/5 Oct 2019 4,499 amazon.com
10.
 
Sony A7 III..+ +4.5/589/1005/55/5 Feb 2018 1,999 amazon.com
11.
 
Sony A7R III..+ +4/590/1004.5/55/5 Oct 2017 3,199ebay.com
12.
 
Sony A95/5+ +4.8/589/1005/55/5 Apr 2017 4,499ebay.com
13.
 
Sony A7R II5/5+ +5/590/1005/55/5 Jun 2015 3,199ebay.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 A775/591/100..81/100..5/5 Aug 2011 1,399ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. 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 are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes 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: Sony A7 II vs Nikon D3100

    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 Sony A7 II Nikon D3100
    Camera Type Mirrorless system camera Digital single lens reflex
    Camera Lens Sony E mount lenses Nikon F mount lenses
    Launch Date November 2014 August 2010
    Launch Price USD 1,999 USD 599
    Sensor Specs Sony A7 II Nikon D3100
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format Full Frame Sensor APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 35.8 x 23.9 mm 23.1 x 15.4 mm
    Sensor Area 855.62 mm2 355.74 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 43 mm 27.8 mm
    Crop Factor 1.0x 1.5x
    Sensor Resolution 24 Megapixels 14.2 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 6000 x 4000 pixels 4608 x 3072 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 5.97 μm 5.01 μm
    Pixel Density 2.80 MP/cm2 3.98 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 1080/60p Video 1080/24p Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 25,600 ISO 100 - 3,200 ISO
    ISO Boost 50 - 51,200 ISO 100 - 12,800 ISO
    Image Processor BIONZ X EXPEED 2
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 90 67
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 24.9 22.5
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 13.6 11.3
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 2449 919
    Screen Specs Sony A7 II Nikon D3100
    Viewfinder Type Electronic viewfinder Optical viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100% 95%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.71x 0.53x
    Viewfinder Resolution 2400k dots
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 1230k dots 230k dots
    LCD Attachment Tilting screen Fixed screen
    Shooting Specs Sony A7 II Nikon D3100
    Focus System On-Sensor Phase-detect Phase-detect AF
    Manual Focusing AidFocus Peakingno Peaking Feature
    Continuous Shooting 5 shutter flaps/s 3 shutter flaps/s
    Shutter Life Expectancy200 000 actuations100 000 actuations
    Image StabilizationIn-body stabilizationLens stabilization only
    Fill Flash no On-Board Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium MS or SDXC cards SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
    UHS card support UHS-I no
    Connectivity Specs Sony A7 II Nikon D3100
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port micro HDMI mini HDMI
    Microphone Port External MIC port no MIC socket
    Headphone Socket Headphone port no Headphone port
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in no Wifi
    Near-Field Communication NFC built-in no NFC
    Body Specs Sony A7 II Nikon D3100
    Environmental SealingWeathersealed bodynot weather sealed
    Battery Type Sony NP-FW50 Nikon EN-EL14
    Battery Life (CIPA)350 shots per charge550 shots per charge
    In-Camera Charging USB charging no USB charging
    Body Dimensions 127 x 96 x 60 mm
    (5.0 x 3.8 x 2.4 in)
    124 x 96 x 75 mm
    (4.9 x 3.8 x 3.0 in)
    Camera Weight 599 g (21.1 oz) 505 g (17.8 oz)
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    Check A7 II offers at
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    Check D3100 offers at
    ebay.com

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