Nikon D3100 vs Sony Alpha 450 — 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 450
44
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon D3100 is the lighter, more compact carry of these two 2010 DSLRs, at 505 g against the Sony Alpha 450's 560 g. The Nikon measures 124 x 96 x 75 mm, while the Sony is a larger 137 x 104 x 81 mm body. Both use the classic DSLR layout with an optical viewfinder. The two cameras arrived the same year, with the Alpha 450 announced in May 2010 and the D3100 in October. Each is built around an APS-C sensor and an optical pentamirror viewfinder, so framing choices come down to the features and handling details rather than the body concept. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2010 | 2010 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
October 1, 2010 | January 5, 2010 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 124 x 96 x 75 mm | 137 x 104 x 81 mm |
| Camera weight | 505 g | 560 g |
| Optics | 41/100 | 48/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Alpha 450 is the better tool for action and handheld shooting. It shoots at 7 fps against the D3100's 3 fps, and its in-body stabilisation steadies handheld shots with any lens you mount, while the Nikon relies on the lens alone. The D3100 counters with slightly more pixels, 14.8 MP against 14.2 MP, and 11 autofocus points against 9 for placing focus off-centre. The Sony's standard ISO range reaches 12800, while the Nikon's stops at 3200, though both expand to 12800. Both also top out at a 1/4000 second shutter, but their native lens systems differ: Nikon F DX and Sony Alpha DT. | ||
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 | CMOS |
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 | 15.6 x 23.4 |
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 | 7 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 | 20030200 |
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 | 128003003280000 |
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 | 20030200 |
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 | 128003003280000 |
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 function. Both are stills-only DSLRs, so any clip work will need a separate camera or phone. | ||
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 450's rear screen tilts, which makes waist-level and overhead framing possible without guessing. The D3100's screen is fixed, but it is larger at 3 inches against the Sony's 2.7 inches, and both LCDs carry a similar resolution of around 230000 dots. The core controls are shared: both have a built-in flash, support an external flash and offer live view, while neither offers GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, a touchscreen 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 | 45/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe D3100's battery is rated for 4500 shots, against 1050 shots for the Alpha 450 under Sony's rating, a very large gap if you shoot long events or travel without a charger. Neither camera charges over USB. Both use a single card slot, but the formats differ. The Nikon accepts SD, SDHC and SDXC cards, so it supports the largest modern SD capacities, while the Sony takes SD and SDHC cards plus Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo media. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| 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 | 1050 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Sony Alpha 450 if you photograph moving subjects or shoot handheld. Its 7 fps burst and in-body stabilisation make it the stronger camera for sports, children at play and handheld frames, and its tilting screen helps with low-angle work. Its standard ISO range also reaches 12800, against 3200 on the Nikon, giving more settings in dim light.
Choose the Nikon D3100 if you prioritise a lighter bag, longer shooting sessions and larger cards. Its smaller, lighter body, 4500-shot battery rating, SDXC support and slightly higher resolution suit travel and all-day sightseeing, while its 11 autofocus points give a little more freedom in composition.