Nikon D3100 vs Sony Alpha 350 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Nikon · DSLR · 14.8 MP · APS-C
Nikon D3100
41
SCORE
|
Sony · DSLR · 14.2 MP · APS-C
Sony Alpha 350
44
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon D3100 and the Sony Alpha 350 are both DSLRs. The D3100 arrived in 2010 with the Nikon F DX mount, while the Alpha 350 came in 2008 on the Sony Alpha DT mount. Each body therefore draws on its own native lens system. The D3100 is the smaller and lighter body, 124 x 96 x 75 mm and 505 g against 131 x 99 x 75 mm and 674 g. That 169 g difference makes the Nikon the lighter camera for a day of walking. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2010 | 2008 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
October 1, 2010 | January 30, 2008 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 124 x 96 x 75 mm | 131 x 99 x 75 mm |
| Camera weight | 505 g | 674 g |
| Optics | 41/100 | 45/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Alpha 350 is the stronger choice for handheld work in dim light with unstabilised lenses, because it offers in-body stabilisation while the D3100 does not. That benefit applies to any Sony DT lens you mount, whereas Nikon shooters need stabilised lenses for the same help. Resolution is close, 14.8 MP on the D3100 against 14.2 MP on the Sony, so cropping room is similar. The D3100 reaches an expanded 12800 ISO against 3200 ISO on the Sony, an option for a shorter exposure in dark scenes. Its 11 autofocus points outnumber the Sony's 9, aiding off-centre compositions. Both share a 3200 ISO standard ceiling and 3 fps shooting. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
14.8 MP050 | 14.2 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4608 x 3072 | 4592 x 3056 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
15.4 x 23.1 | 15.8 x 23.6 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
3 fps045 | 3 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Nikon F DX | Sony Alpha DT |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Expeed 2 | Bionz |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
32003003280000 | 32003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
128003003280000 | 32003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
110300 | 90300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
No |  Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | ||
Read the Video ComparisonVideoNeither camera records video, and neither offers a built-in timelapse mode. Anyone who wants movie capture alongside stills needs a different body entirely, so video capability gives no reason to prefer one of these two over the other. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
N/A | N/A |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
N/A | N/A |
| Features | 36/100 | 34/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Alpha 350 is the better camera for waist-level and overhead framing, thanks to its tilting LCD, while the D3100 has a fixed screen. Both offer live view, so composing on the screen works either way, but only the Sony lets you angle the display for a low flower shot or a held-high crowd view. The D3100's screen is larger at 3 inches against 2.7 inches, with both showing 230000 dots. Neither camera has GPS, WiFi or Bluetooth, so photos cannot be tagged with a location or sent wirelessly. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 3" | 2.7" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
2300001150001500000 | 2300001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
No |  Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 53/100 | 65/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe Alpha 350 gives you dual card slots, taking Compact Flash Type I or II plus Memory Stick Duo or Pro Duo, so you can match whichever media you already have. The D3100 takes SD, SDHC and SDXC cards in a single slot, so any SD-family card you own fits. The D3100's battery is rated at 4500 shots per charge, against 730 shots for the Alpha 350, so the Nikon carries the far higher rating for long outings. Neither body supports USB charging, so both need their own charger. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | Compact Flash (Type I or II), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, UDMA Mode 5, Supports FAT12 / FAT16 / FAT32 |
| Dual memory card slots | No |  Yes |
| Battery type | EN-EL14 | NP-FM500H |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
4500 shots1505000 | 730 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
For most stills photographers, the D3100 is the more practical choice. It is 169 g lighter, records to SD cards, offers a far higher battery rating, and reaches an expanded 12800 ISO for dim interiors.
Choose the Alpha 350 instead when stabilisation matters more, because its in-body system steadies every lens you mount, and its tilting screen makes ground-level and overhead framing easier. It also suits anyone with a collection of Compact Flash or Memory Stick media. If you need video or GPS, look beyond both cameras.