Nikon D5100 vs Sony DSLR-A390

differences

Advantages of the Nikon D5100

Shoots movies

1080p @ 30fps

None

Shoots Full HD (1080p) video as well as still pictures

Much lower noise at high ISO

1,183 ISO

607 ISO

The D5100 has a slight edge (1 f-stop) in low noise, high ISO performance

Significantly better image quality

80.0

66.0

More than 20% better image quality

Much higher resolution screen

920k dots

230k dots

4x higher resolution screen

More dynamic range

13 EV

11.5 EV

1.5 f-stops more dynamic range

Much larger screen

3.0"

2.7"

More than 10% larger screen

Has in-camera HDR

Yes

Combines multiple exposures to capture high dynamic range

Much more lenses available

169 lenses

92 lenses

More than 80% more lenses available

Better color depth

23.5 bits

22.5 bits

Distinguishes 1 more bits of color

Video autofocus

Contrast detection

None

Automatically focuses shooting video

Has a CMOS-family sensor

CMOS

CCD

CMOS-family sensors often produce better quality images

Has boost ISO

25,600 ISO

None

Allows taking photos in darker situations, often at the cost of additional noise in the image

Longer battery life

660 shots

500 shots

More than 30% more shots per battery charge

Shoots faster

4 fps

2.5 fps

60% faster continuous shooting

Higher true resolution

16.1 MP

14 MP

Capture more than 10% more detail in your photos

Significantly smaller

127x96x78 mm

128x97x86 mm

Around 10% smaller

Larger viewfinder

0.51x

0.48x

More than 10% larger viewfinder

Better maximum light sensitivity

6,400 ISO

3,200 ISO

The D5100's maximum light sensitivity is 1 f-stop better

Significantly thinner

3.1"

3.4"

Around 10% thinner

Slightly more focus points

Set focus accurately within the frame

Learn more about
the Nikon D5100

Advantages of the Sony DSLR-A390

Image stabilization

Sensor shift

None

Helps eliminate blur caused by small camera movements

Less shutter lag

198 ms

273 ms

Around 30% less delay when taking photos

Has more storage slots

More slots allows storing more images without switching memory cards

Has a built-in focus motor

Yes

Autofocuses with all autofocus lenses

Slightly lighter

549 g

560 g

Almost the same

Learn more about
the Sony DSLR-A390

recommendations

Relative to the best recent entry-level DSLRs, and ignoring price

Nikon D5100

77	vs	42
Explain scores

Sony Alpha DSLR-A390

Snapsort recommends the Nikon D5100.

similarities

Compared to recent entry-level DSLRs

Common Strengths

Common Weaknesses

	Flip-out screens
	Great for movies

Large sensors

D5100:	APS-C 23.6x15.6mm
DSLR-A390:	APS-C 23.5x15.7mm

	Slow max shutter speed
	1/4000 of a second

	Below average viewfinder coverage
	95%

	Few cross-type focus points
	1

Slow continuous shooting

D5100:	4 fps
DSLR-A390:	2.5 fps

	Neither camera stitches together panoramas
	You could stitch photos in post

Lacks video autofocus

D5100:	Contrast detection
DSLR-A390:	None

Below average viewfinder size

D5100:	0.51x
DSLR-A390:	0.48x

	Neither camera can take 3D photos
	No 3d support

Poor maximum light sensitivity

D5100:	6,400 ISO
DSLR-A390:	3,200 ISO

Capture low resolution images

D5100:	16.1 MP
DSLR-A390:	14 MP

	Neither is weather sealed
	Need to shelter it from weather

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competitors

Nikon D3200

Entry-level DSLR

$547 with 18-55mm lens

Takes much higher resolution photos

Is slightly smaller

Has a marginally smaller sensor

Has slightly more shutter lag

Compare the D3200 vs the D5100

Compare the D3200 vs the Alpha DSLR-A390

Canon Rebel T3i

Entry-level DSLR

$549 body only

$595 - $599 with 18-55mm lens

Takes slightly higher resolution photos

Is slightly larger

Has a significantly smaller sensor

Compare the Rebel T3i vs the D5100

Compare the Rebel T3i vs the Alpha DSLR-A390

Nikon D5200

Entry-level DSLR

$697 body only

$797 with 18-55mm lens

Takes much higher resolution photos

Has much more focus points

Is slightly more expensive

Has significantly more shutter lag

Compare the D5200 vs the D5100

Compare the D5200 vs the Alpha DSLR-A390

Canon Rebel T4i

Entry-level DSLR

$580 - $799 body only

$731 - $899 with 18-55mm lens

Takes slightly higher resolution photos

Slightly higher maximum light sensitivity

Is slightly larger

Has a significantly smaller sensor

Compare the Rebel T4i vs the D5100

Compare the Rebel T4i vs the Alpha DSLR-A390

Nikon D3100

Entry-level DSLR

$447 - $740 with 18-55mm lens

Is slightly smaller

Is slightly less expensive

Has a marginally smaller sensor

Lacks and external mic jack

Compare the D3100 vs the D5100

Compare the D3100 vs the Alpha DSLR-A390

Nikon D90

Entry-level DSLR

$600 - $899 body only

$739 - $1,099 with 18-105mm lens

Significantly larger viewfinder

Has higher quality type of viewfinder

Is slightly more expensive

Is significantly heavier

Compare the D90 vs the D5100

Compare the D90 vs the Alpha DSLR-A390

Canon Rebel T2i

Entry-level DSLR

$540 body only

$609 with 18-55mm lens

Takes slightly higher resolution photos

Is much smaller

Has a significantly smaller sensor

Has slightly more shutter lag

Compare the Rebel T2i vs the D5100

Compare the Rebel T2i vs the Alpha DSLR-A390

Nikon D7000

Entry-level DSLR

$897 body only

$997 with 18-105mm lens

Many more focus points

Weather sealed

Lacks in-camera HDR

Screen does not flip out

Compare the D7000 vs the D5100

Sony Alpha DSLR-A350

Entry-level DSLR

Longer battery life

Smaller

Slower autofocus

Has fewer storage slots

Compare the Alpha DSLR-A350 vs the Alpha DSLR-A390

Nikon D3000

Entry-level DSLR

$436 - $456 with 18-55mm lens

Much larger screen

Much more lenses available

No live view

No image stabilization

Compare the D3000 vs the Alpha DSLR-A390

Sony Alpha DSLR-A380

Entry-level DSLR

More dynamic range

Much smaller

Slower autofocus

Screen does not flip out

Compare the Alpha DSLR-A380 vs the Alpha DSLR-A390

Sony Alpha DSLR-A300

Entry-level DSLR

Smaller

Much thinner

Slower autofocus

Slightly more noise at high ISO

Compare the Alpha DSLR-A300 vs the Alpha DSLR-A390

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Nikon D5100

vs

Sony Alpha DSLR-A390

Reasons to buy the Nikon D5100

Reasons to buy the Sony Alpha DSLR-A390

recommendations

Relative to the best recent entry-level DSLRs, and ignoring price

differences

Advantages of the Nikon D5100

Advantages of the Sony DSLR-A390

recommendations

Relative to the best recent entry-level DSLRs, and ignoring price

similarities

Compared to recent entry-level DSLRs

dxomark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Nikon D3200

Canon Rebel T3i

Nikon D5200

Canon Rebel T4i

Nikon D3100

Nikon D90

Canon Rebel T2i

Nikon D5100 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Nikon D7000

Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Sony Alpha DSLR-A350

Nikon D3000

Sony Alpha DSLR-A380

Sony Alpha DSLR-A300

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discussion

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