Nikon
D5100
 vs
Sony Alpha
DSLR-A580

Updated (October, 2012): Compare the Nikon D5200 vs Sony Alpha DSLR-A580

Sony Alpha DSLR-A580

79

  
Nikon D5100

78

  

Reasons to buy the Sony Alpha DSLR-A580

Overall image quality
 Great image quality
80.0
Color depth
 Great color depth
23.8 bits
Dynamic range
 Wide dynamic range
13.3 EV
Image stabilization
 Image stabilization
Sensor shift
Light sensitivity
 High ISO
12,800 ISO
Continuous shooting
 Rapid fire
7 fps
 

Reasons to buy the Nikon D5100

Low light performance
 Low noise at high ISO
1,183 ISO
Overall image quality
 Great image quality
80.0
Dynamic range
 Wide dynamic range
13 EV
Screen flips out
 Flip-out screen
Great for movies
Sensor size
 Large sensor
APS-C 23.6x15.6mm
HDR
 In-camera HDR
Combines multiple exposures
 

differences

Advantages of the Nikon D5100
Supports 24p Supports 24p Yes vs No
Help
 Get that real film feel
Lens availability Much more lenses available 169 lenses vs 92 lenses
Help
 More than 80% more lenses available
Size Much smaller 127x96x78 mm vs 137x104x84 mm
Help
 Around 20% smaller
Low light performance Slightly lower noise at high ISO 1,183 ISO vs 1,121 ISO
Help
 The D5100 has a slight edge (0.1 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
Startup delay Less startup delay 500 ms vs 800 ms
Help
 Around 40% less delay when turning on
Shutter lag Slightly less shutter lag 273 ms vs 295 ms
Help
 Around 10% less delay when taking photos
Thickness Thinner 3.1" vs 3.3"
Help
 Around 10% thinner
Lowest price Cheaper $496.95 vs $619.21
Help
 The best price we've seen is $122 cheaper (around 20% less)
Weight Lighter 560 g vs 599 g
Help
 Around 10% lighter
Nikon D5100 Learn more about
the Nikon D5100

Advantages of the Sony DSLR-A580
Image stabilization Image stabilization Sensor shift vs None
Help
 Helps eliminate blur caused by small camera movements
3D Takes 3D photos Yes vs No
Help
 Combines multiple photos into a 3D image
Panorama Can create panoramas in-camera Yes vs No
Help
 Stitches together multiple photos for a wide perspective
Battery life Significantly longer battery life 1050 shots vs 660 shots
Help
 Around 60% more shots per battery charge
Continuous shooting Shoots significantly faster 7 fps vs 4 fps
Help
 Around 80% faster continuous shooting
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 12,800 ISO vs 6,400 ISO
Help
 The DSLR-A580's maximum light sensitivity is 1 f-stop better
Lens focus motor Has a built-in focus motor Yes vs No
Help
 Autofocuses with all autofocus lenses
Cross type focus points More cross-type focus points 3 vs 1
Help
 Grab focus in difficult situations
Color depth Better color depth 23.8 bits vs 23.5 bits
Help
 Distinguishes 0.3 more bits of color
Focus points More focus points 15 vs 11
Help
 Set focus accurately within the frame
Dynamic range More dynamic range 13.3 EV vs 13 EV
Help
 0.3 f-stops more dynamic range
Viewfinder size Slightly larger viewfinder 0.52x vs 0.51x
Help
 Almost the same
Sony Alpha DSLR-A580 Learn more about
the Sony DSLR-A580
vs

recommendations

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

Nikon D5100 Nikon D5100
78 vs 79
Explain scores
Sony Alpha DSLR-A580 Sony Alpha DSLR-A580
Green arrow Too close to call! Snapsort considers these cameras too competitive to make a clear recommendation.

similarities

Compared to recent entry-level DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Low light performance Relatively low noise at high ISO Help
D5100:1,183 ISO
DSLR-A580:1,121 ISO
Overall image quality Good image quality Help
80.0
Screen flips out Flip-out screens Help
Great for movies
Sensor size Large sensors Help
D5100:APS-C 23.6x15.6mm
DSLR-A580:APS-C 23.5x15.6mm
Fastest shutter speed Slow max shutter speed Help
1/4000 of a second
Viewfinder coverage Below average viewfinder coverage Help
95%
Shutter lag Significant shutter lag Help
D5100:273 ms
DSLR-A580:295 ms
True resolution Capture low resolution images Help
D5100:16.1 MP
DSLR-A580:16 MP
Viewfinder size Below average viewfinder size Help
D5100:0.51x
DSLR-A580:0.52x
Weather sealed Neither is weather sealed Help
Need to shelter it from weather

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon D3200

Nikon D3200

Entry-level DSLR

$547 with 18-55mm lens
True resolution Takes much higher resolution photos
Size Is slightly smaller
Light sensitivity (boost) Slightly lower boost light sensitivity
Sensor size Has a marginally smaller sensor
Compare the D3200 vs the D5100
Compare the D3200 vs the Alpha DSLR-A580
Canon Rebel T3i

Canon Rebel T3i

Entry-level DSLR

$549 body only

$599 - $649 with 18-55mm lens
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Light sensitivity (boost) Slightly lower boost light sensitivity
Size Is slightly larger
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the D5100
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the Alpha DSLR-A580
Nikon D5200

Nikon D5200

Entry-level DSLR

$697 body only

$797 with 18-55mm lens
True resolution Takes much higher resolution photos
Focus points Has significantly more focus points
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Battery life Has a slightly shorter battery life
Compare the D5200 vs the D5100
Compare the D5200 vs the Alpha DSLR-A580
Nikon D3100

Nikon D3100

Entry-level DSLR

$447 - $740 with 18-55mm lens
Size Is slightly smaller
Thickness Is thinner
Light sensitivity (boost) Slightly lower boost light sensitivity
Sensor size Has a marginally smaller sensor
Compare the D3100 vs the D5100
Compare the D3100 vs the Alpha DSLR-A580
Nikon D90

Nikon D90

Entry-level DSLR

$675 - $899 body only

$799 - $1,099 with 18-105mm lens
Viewfinder size Significantly larger viewfinder
Viewfinder Has higher quality type of viewfinder
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Weight Is significantly heavier
Compare the D90 vs the D5100
Compare the D90 vs the Alpha DSLR-A580
Canon 650D / T4i

Canon Rebel T4i

Entry-level DSLR

$649 - $800 body only

$719 - $749 with 18-55mm lens
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Touch screen Has a touch screen
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Size Is slightly larger
Compare the Rebel T4i vs the D5100
Compare the Rebel T4i vs the Alpha DSLR-A580
Nikon D7000

Nikon D7000

Entry-level DSLR

$897 body only

$997 with 18-105mm lens
Viewfinder size Slightly larger viewfinder
Weather sealed Has a weather sealed body
Lowest price Is significantly more expensive
Weight Is significantly heavier
Compare the D7000 vs the D5100
Compare the D7000 vs the Alpha DSLR-A580

Nikon D5100 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Nikon D5100.

Sony Alpha DSLR-A580 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Sony SLT-A77

Sony SLT A77

Pro DSLR

$998 - $1,000 body only

$1,598 - $1,930 with 16-50mm lens
Viewfinder size Much larger viewfinder
Weather sealed Weather sealed
Low light performance Significantly more noise at high ISO
Startup delay Much more startup delay
Compare the SLT A77 vs the Alpha DSLR-A580

appearance

Nikon D5100 Sony Alpha DSLR-A580
Nikon D5100 Sony Alpha DSLR-A580
Nikon D5100 Sony Alpha DSLR-A580

discussion

Showing 20 comments

arun (2:32 AM, January 26, 2013)
D5100 does have in camera HDR. And iso 12800 is not a factor. High iso is not really good for photo quality. Both camera's usable iso is almost the same.
 
Rahuman (8:25 PM, January 19, 2012)
You had given 50 points for nikon and only 5 for sony for popularity, which makes a big difference, i think sony should be the winner. Just my suggestion
 
Muteboladao (10:41 AM, December 11, 2011)
LOGICAL reasons to prefer the A580



1. Optical SteadyShot - works with all lenses, because it's in-camera



2. 7 FPS vs 4 FPS - Pretty self-explanatory



3. Better autofocus, 15 points and 3 cross points vs 11 and 1 for the
D5100 - obviously superior autofocus is a very logical reason to prefer
one camera over another.



4. Phase detect autofocus in live view -



5. Sweep Panorama mode - D5100 doesn't have it



6. In-camera HDR and DRO - D5100 doesn't have it



7. ISO 12,800 - D5100 doesn't have it



8. Multi-stack ISO mode - D5100 doesn't have it, and therefore can make better high ISO JPEGs of still subjects than Nikon



9. 3D photos and panoramas - It's a gimmick for most people, but again,
the D5100 doesn't have it, and it's a more realistic use of the camera
than 24p



10. Over 1.5x longer battery life - mostly just s convenience, but no less of a convenience than the D5100's smaller size/weight



11. Two data storage slots - ditto #4.
 
Nevermess (0:13 PM, November 22, 2011)
Hi Lamboram I bought DSLR recently and I was choosing between Nikon D5100 and Sony A580. Please be aware that I am not Nikon or Sony fanatic. I tested both cameras and I found that Nikon's metering is much better for me as well as jpeg picture quality. I just can not see myself shooting only RAW and converting after that in jpeg using Photoshop etc. I just like the Nikon's jpegs more. So comparing two cameras based only on paper specifications is not good idea. 
 
noone (9:48 PM, October 21, 2011)
Regardless of price, SONY is slightly better because of more cross type focus point, auto shut-off LCD and faster shoot speed. But SONY is $100 more. You decide if worth it or not.
 
Meshoolord (6:53 AM, October 01, 2011)
Hi, would you advise which DSLR the best here to capture movies Sony or Nikon D5100????
 
Smart Kid !! (2:09 PM, September 26, 2011)
hehe.. which lens do you say?? Do not look for Carl Zeiss, Sony G lenses are good and cheap with Auto-focus.. and we don't need VR mate, the Sony has in camera image stabilization.. I think thats what Lamboram has stated.. please drop the idea that Nikon and Canon are the only DSLR manufacturer in the planet.. !!! I have a55 and i simply love it.. as Lamboram said, watch out for A77, its gonna kill Nikon 

P.S: Nikon's try on mirror less camera like Sony NEX is a colossal fail.. Go cry to your mommy :P :P :P No offense..
 
Cabral (4:19 PM, August 20, 2011)
I am in great doubt and wished someone could help me. I'm aware that Canon and Nikon are majors, but I found sony a580 very attractive. The most important things I consider in a camera are: long battery life, image stabilizer, and MAINLY low noise at high ISO, 'cos what I love the most is to take pictures in the dark, like moon and all... Sony seems better at these points, but I read once that what matters the most are the lenses not the camera, but I dont have the money to buy lots of lenses, I wish to have 2 or 3. I'm not a pro, but I'd like to take good pictures, this is something I enjoy, so I want quality. I'd like to know how is the sony 3D pictures, can I print the picture in a special paper, or is it specific to 3D television? I was between Canon T2i and Sony A580, but now I guess I'm between Nikon5100 and Sony A580. Any suggestions, please?
 
Smapboys (8:37 AM, August 08, 2011)
Why follow others when you know which is the best. I am the proud user of Sony A580. It make me special too when everyone is using Nikon and Canon.
We are different that what sets Sony apart from the rest. A great leader will not follow the crowd. Because leader will innovate......Because it's a Sony........
 
your mom (5:59 PM, July 06, 2011)
looks to me like sony lenses are more expensive than nikon lenses anyways, even without auto focus or vr
 
Lamboram (10:25 AM, June 25, 2011)
Hello @4857f404b42bf2332989b87d5f5fca91:disqus , I respect your view. But i have tried both these cameras. a camera without an internal image stabilization and focus motor means, you need to buy costlier lenses. and if you do the math, you will need one camera and more than one lens. So every lens you buy weighs your pocket more. You say you are Nikon fan. I am happy about that. But if you look inside Canon or Nikon, the sensors are from Sony. In fact the sensor which A580 uses is the same as D5100, D7000 and its better than Canon 7D[I am not saying this, but DXOmark does]. A camera is more of what you get for your money. 3D photos, panorama, more cross type focus lines, more focus points means, you can get tricky situations handled well. I ain't no pro, but i am an Engineer, so i think i can say this :) You will need the assistance of good auto-focus when you are handling speedy scenes, little birds etc. watch out for A77 from Sony this year, Nikon and Canon may be the giants, but not anymore. Sony has the money and technology to reach the very top spot, and i think i have made a wise decision on buying Sony. I ain't arguing here, but A580 is much better than its counterparts from Nikon or Canon in terms of value, worth, quality and speed :)
CheersLamboram
 
Linnhann (3:27 AM, June 02, 2011)
i also confuse, as many friends using nikon, so i can xchange the lens or buy the cheap 2nd lens. But thinking of technology i lean to sony.
 
Vio (11:23 AM, May 31, 2011)
also, i am not pro. but in my opionion sony will never beat nikon in digital photography, that's because nikon's greatest rival is canon, so nikon and canon is the mondial leaders in digital photo (also leica and another can be but nikon and canon are the most rated dslr). In my opinion for nice photography you don't need focus motor that because nikkor lensses already have that, also image stabiliser is includded in the most nikkor lensses, you don't need a dual slot because the 5100 support 64GB SDXC, you can get a grip to have more shots, just with panorama, 3d ability and some other functions that not means sony is better, just different, just test this 2 dslr's and you will see that each have nice functions for a nice creativity. me i am a nikon fan maybe for this i like the nikon.  
 
Hossein (9:27 PM, May 28, 2011)
I'm not a prof. photographer, but in my opinion SONY could beat NIKON because of panorama, focus motor, 3D ability, more shots for battery, faster continuous shooting, dual slot, image stabilizer, high sensivity & much more ! Am I right ?
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (2:56 PM, May 28, 2011)
Hi Jackal, the Sony A580 doesn't do auto focus while shooting video, the Nikon D5100 does, that is mentioned as one of the reasons to consider the D5100 above!
 
Jackal (11:46 AM, May 28, 2011)
im curious that the continuous focusing in video mode doesnt take account in the comparison. is it identical?
 
Aiswaran Dhevaraj (1:11 PM, May 21, 2011)
 Which is most better among these please suggest me SNAPSORT i a m in great confusion which one to my ...and also i nee to have a cheaper one ?
 
Avatar for nkalu nkalu (4:10 PM, May 19, 2011)
Thanks a lot. That was helpful.
 
lomo (2:19 PM, May 18, 2011)
 The spec sheets are nearly identical. However, there are certain key features which puts the sony ahead such as in body stabilisation, wireless flash control, way better battery life, dual slots and in body motor, which means there are more lenses that autofocuses with the sony compared to the nikon. its such a shame that nikon cripples their entry level bodies by removing so many professional features even though the overall quality of the camera is great.
 
Avatar for nkalu nkalu (4:20 PM, May 17, 2011)
 Which of these is a better buy: Nikkon D5100 and Sony DSLR-A580?