Nikon D3100 vs Sony Alpha 380 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Nikon · DSLR · 14.8 MP · APS-C
Nikon D3100
41
SCORE
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Sony · DSLR · 14.2 MP · APS-C
Sony Alpha 380
41
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon D3100 and the Sony Alpha 380 are both DSLRs, announced in 2010 and 2009 respectively. The Nikon is the newer body by a year. Their measurements are close: the D3100 is 124 x 96 x 75 mm and 505 g, while the Alpha 380 is 128 x 97 x 71 mm and 519 g. The Nikon is the lighter camera by 14 g. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2010 | 2009 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
October 1, 2010 | May 18, 2009 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 124 x 96 x 75 mm | 128 x 97 x 71 mm |
| Camera weight | 505 g | 519 g |
| Optics | 41/100 | 46/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsFor moving subjects the D3100 is the stronger pick, shooting at 3 fps against the Alpha 380's 2.5 fps and offering 11 autofocus points instead of 9. That extra speed helps with children, pets and casual sports, and the extra points give more room to place a subject off-centre. The Alpha 380 counters with in-body stabilisation, which the D3100 lacks. It steadies handheld shots at slower shutter speeds with any lens attached, whereas the Nikon needs a stabilised lens. Native ISO settings match from 100 to 3200 ISO, but the D3100's expanded range reaches 12800 ISO and the Sony's stops at 3200 ISO. Resolution is nearly matched, 14.8 MP against 14.2 MP, so neither gains a real cropping or large-print advantage. Each uses its own native lens system, Nikon F DX or Sony Alpha DT, so lenses cannot be swapped between the bodies. | ||
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 | 2.5 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 includes a built-in timelapse function. Anyone wanting motion capture beyond stills will need a different camera. | ||
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 380's tilting LCD makes it the better choice for waist-level and overhead shooting in live view, which suits macro work and candid shots. The D3100's screen is fixed but larger at 3 inches against 2.7. Dot counts sit only 400 apart at about 230,000, so neither display wins on resolution. Flash and live view are shared features: both cameras have a built-in flash, support an external flash, and offer live view. Neither includes Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, touch control or weather sealing. | ||
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 | 2304001150001500000 |
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 | 27/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryBattery rating is the largest practical difference here. The D3100's EN-EL14 battery is rated for 4500 shots per charge, while the Alpha 380's NP-FH50 is rated for 500. Neither camera charges over USB. Card formats differ in practice. The D3100 takes SD, SDHC and SDXC cards, including the larger-capacity SDXC format. The Alpha 380 accepts SD and SDHC plus Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo, useful mainly if you already own Memory Stick media. Both have a single card slot. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | EN-EL14 | NP-FH50 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
4500 shots1505000 | 500 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
The Nikon D3100 is the better all-round stills camera for most buyers. Its 3 fps burst and 11 autofocus points make it the stronger choice for children, pets and casual sports, and its expanded ISO range reaches 12800 ISO against the Sony's 3200 ISO. Its far higher battery rating, SDXC support and larger screen also count in its favour.
Choose the Sony Alpha 380 if you shoot handheld at slower shutter speeds with unstabilised lenses, because its in-body stabilisation steadies those shots. Its tilting screen also earns a place for low-angle and overhead framing. Neither serves video work, and each ties you to its own lens mount.