Welcome to this Sony a5100 Vs Nikon D5500 comparison. Both cameras have numerous capabilities and features, but which should you choose?
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Don’t worry. In this article, we’ll covering all the facts about both of these cameras, in order to help you decide which best meets your requirements.
So, without further ado, let’s begin.
Sony a5100 Vs Nikon D5500 – Comparison overview
The Sony a5100 is an Entry-Level mirrorless camera, while the Nikon D5500 is an Entry-Level DSLR. Despite being different in type, both cameras have a number of features in common.
For instance, both cameras have tilting screens. This gives you more flexibility when shooting. They also have touchscreens, which make which make them easier to use.
Both cameras also have high sensor resolutions. This means that you will have a lot of detail in your photos. Furthermore, they have face detection focus.
This scans the frame for a face and then focuses on it. This is very useful when doing portraits.
The Sony a5100 and the Nikon D5500 also have their unique features. The Sony a5100 has NFC, which makes connecting to other compatible devices a lot easier.
It also has a higher frame rate, and more focus points than the D5500.
The Nikon D5500 on the other hand, has better battery life than the a5100. This isn’t surprising, since it’s a DSLR. The D5500 also has a viewfinder, which improve framing and control.
Both cameras share a couple of downsides. For instance, they have no image stabilization and no weather sealing.
When it comes to the price/value ratio, both cameras are well priced. However, if you are looking for a more affordable beginner camera, the Sony a5100 is the better pick.
Sony a5100 Vs Nikon D5500 – Comparison table
Sony a5100 | Nikon D5500 | |
| Date released | August 17, 2014 | January 6, 2015 |
| Type | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level DSLR |
| Screen type | 3-inch tilting screen | 3.2-inch fully articulating screen |
| Continuous shooting screen | 6fps | 5fps |
| Weight | 283g | 420g |
| Dimensions | 110 x 63 x 36 mm | 124 x 97 x 70 mm |
| Viewfinder | None | Optical |
| Battery life | 400 shots | 800 shots |
| Microphone port | No | Yes |
| Focus points | 179 | 39 |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Face detection focus | Yes | Yes |
| Sensor resolution | 24 megapixels | 24 megapixels |
| Image stabilization | No | No |
| Weather sealing | No | No |
Sony a5100 Vs Nikon D5500 – What situation each best for?
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Sony a5100 | Nikon D5500 |
Sports photographyWhen doing sports photography, there are a couple of things which your camera must have. First of all, it needs to have a high frame rate. The Sony a5100 has a frame rate of 6fps. Now this isn’t much, but you will still be able to capture a decent amount of action. Next, your camera needs to have weather sealing. As we all know, sports are held in all types of weather. However, not all cameras work in them. With weather sealing you can shoot in unfavorable weather conditions without dust and moisture damaging your camera. Unfortunately, the Sony a5100 has no weather sealing. As a result, you need to be careful where you use this camera.
| Sports photographySame as the a5100 |
Portrait photographyThe Sony a5100 can be used for sports photography. However, this would not be possible without certain features. The first feature which makes the Sony a5100 good for portrait photography is the high sensor resolution. The Sony a5100 has a 24 megapixel sensor, which brings out a lot of detail in your portrait shots. You can crop your photos without removing much detail. You can also get beautiful enlargements. Another feature which plays an important part in getting good portrait shots is the large sensor. The Sony a5100 has a 23.5 x 15.6 mm sensor. With a sensor this large, you will have shallower field depth, and a blurry background in your portrait shots. | Portrait photographySame as the a5100. |
Sony a5100 Vs Nikon D5500 – Common features
Articulating screen
If you are a vlogger, or you just want more flexibility when shooting, you’re in luck. The Sony a5100 and the Nikon D5500 have tiltable screens, which you can use to shoot at more angles.
Touchscreen
Touchscreens are becoming more and more common in today’s electrical appliances. With a touchscreen, you can control the camera easy and efficiently.
Face detection focus
Face detection focus scans the frame for a face, and then locks focus on it. This feature is particularly useful for portraits. With face detection, your portrait shots will always be in focus
High sensor resolution
Both the Sony a5100 and the Nikon D5500 have a sensor resolution of 24 megapixels. With a resolution this high, your images will have a lot of detail in them.
You can crop your photos without losing much detail, and get beautiful enlargements.
Sony a5100 Vs Nikon D5500 – Unique features
Sony a5100
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179 focus points
With this many focus points, you will have wider frame coverage when focusing with the Sony a5100. This improves the camera’s tracking performance.
Frame rate of 6fps
This isn’t much, but it’s still higher than that of the Nikon D5500. This means that you will be able to capture more points in your subject’s movement with the Sony a5100.
NFC
With NFC you can connect wirelessly to nearby compatible devices. All you need to do is to touch the two devices against each other.
Nikon D5500
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Viewfinder
The Nikon D5500 has an optical viewfinder. With a viewfinder you have better framing, and control over the camera’s movement.
Battery life of 800 shots
Being a DSLR, the good battery life isn’t a surprise. With the Nikon D5500, you can get up to 800 shots on a single charge. As a result, you can shoot for a much longer length of time.
Sony a5100 Vs Nikon D5500 – Unique pros
Sony a5100
Higher frame rate.
Wider area coverage when focusing.
Easier connectivity.
Nikon D5500
Longer battery life.
Better framing and control.
Sony a5100 Vs Nikon D5500 – Unique cons
Sony a5100
Shorter battery life.
No viewfinder.
Nikon D5500
Fewer focus points.
Smaller frame coverage when focusing.
No NFC.
Sony a5100 Vs Nikon D5500 – Common pros
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Flexibility when shooting.
Sharper photos and more detail.
Easier control.
Sony a5100 Vs Nikon D5500 – Common cons
No weather sealing.
No image stabilization.
Sony a5100 Vs Nikon D5500 – How users feel about both
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Sony a5100
Many users were impressed with the Sony a5100 . Vloggers in particular. The a5100 tilting screen made it an ideal camera for vlogging. The lightness and compactness of the a5100 made it easier to hold the camera for a longer length of time without your arms getting tired.
Another feature of the a5100 which users loved was, the battery life. For a mirrorless camera, the Sony a5100 has good battery life. Users also found the a5100 easy to use and control.
There were also a couple of things which users didn’t like about the a51000. First was, the lack of a viewfinder. A viewfinder improves framing and control of the camera. The lack of a microphone port was a disappointment for some. However, the internal mic was satisfactory.
Overall, users think that the Sony a5100 is an amazing camera, which is definitely worth the money.
Nikon D5500
Users were very impressed with this camera. It had amazing features and high functionality, despite being an Entry-Level DSLR.
It’s simple design and controls made an ideal camera for beginners. The touchscreen was a nice touch (no pun intended). This made accessing the functions and features a lot easier.
However, there were also a couple of things which they didn’t like. As a result of its small body, the buttons and dials have also been reduced. Some people also complained that the optical viewfinder was a bit too small.
Overall, despite the few issues they had with this camera, users feel that the Nikon D5500 is an amazing camera which both pros and beginners can use.
Final note
That brings us to the end of this comparison. Let’s just do a quick recap to wrap it up. The Sony a5100 is an Entry-Level mirrorless camera, while the Nikon D5500 is an Entry-Level DSLR.
Both cameras have high sensor resolutions, and tiltable screens. The Sony a5100 and the Nikon D5500 also have touchscreens, and face detection focus.
The Sony a5100’s unique features include NFC, a higher frame rate, and more focus points. If you want the lighter camera of the two, go for the a5100.
The Nikon D5500 on the other hand has much better battery life, and a viewfinder.
Overall, the Sony a5100 and the Nikon D5500 are amazing cameras, suitable for photographers of all levels.
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