Nikon D5100 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3

      Nikon D5100

      Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3
      67
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      52
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      Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Nikon D5100 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

      Nikon D5100 was introduced in April 2011 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 was introduced in January 2009. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Nikon D5100 Highlights

      • 16.2 MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
      • 100 - 6,400 Native ISO
      • 11 Focus Points (11 Cross-type)
      • 3.0" 921k dot Fully Articulated Screen
      • Optical (pentamirror) Viewfinder
      • 4.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
      • Built-in Flash

      Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 Highlights

      • 10 MP 1/2.3-inch CCD Sensor
      • 80 - 3,200 Native ISO
      • 9 Focus Points
      • Image Stabilization
      • 3.50" 921k dot Fixed Screen
      • 1.6 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 640 x 480 Video Shooting
      • Built-in Flash
      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Nikon D5100
      4. Advantage of Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3
      5. Common Strengths and Weaknesses
      6. Screen and Viewfinder
      7. Sensor
      8. Photography Features
      9. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
      10. Other Features
      11. Physical Parameters
      12. For Different Types of Photography
      13. Evaluations
      14. Specifications  

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Nikon D5100 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3.

      PROS

      Nikon D5100

      Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3

      •   Video Capture
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Orientation Sensor
      •   Video Capture
      •   80 Lowest Native ISO
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Touch Screen
      •   Large Screen - 3.50"
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   Light - 185 g (0.41 lb / 6.53 oz)
      •   Internal Storage
      •   Orientation Sensor

      CONS

      Nikon D5100

      Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3

      •   11 Focus Points
      •   1 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 10 Megapixel
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/1000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.6 fps
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      •   Low Video Resolution - 640 x 480
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Nikon D5100

      Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3

      •   Sensor Resolution - 16.2 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   -1 EV Min AF Detection
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 4.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec
      •   DxO Overall Score - 80
      •   Weight - 560 g (1.23 lb / 19.75 oz)
      •   Battery Life - 660 shots
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot

      Advantage of Nikon D5100

      Nikon D5100
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon D5100 over Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3.

      Nikon D5100 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3
      Larger Sensor APS-C vs 1/2.3-inch
      Higher Sensor Resolution 16.2 Megapixel vs 10 Megapixel
      Max Image Resolution 4928 x 3264 vs 3648 x 2736
      RAW Support vs
      Timelapse Recording vs
      More Focus Points 11 vs 9
      Center Autofocus vs
      Selective Autofocus vs
      Tracking Autofocus vs
      Continuous Autofocus vs
      Face Detection vs
      Phase Detection for Autofocus vs
      Screen Type Fully Articulated vs Fixed
      Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) vs
      Lower Min Shutter Speed 30 sec vs 1 sec
      Higher Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) 1/4000 sec vs 1/1000 sec
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 4.0 fps vs 1.6 fps
      External Flash Connectivity vs
      Manual Exposure Mode vs
      Aperture Priority vs
      Shutter Priority vs
      Higher Video Resolution 1920 x 1080 vs 640 x 480
      Microphone Input vs

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Nikon D5100.

      Nikon D5200
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      APS-C

      24.1 MP

      Nikon D5600
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      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Nikon D5500
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Nikon D5000
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      12.3 MP

      Nikon D5300
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Sony a7S
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      Full Frame

      12.2 MP

      Fujifilm X-T5
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      APS-C

      40.2 MP

      Sony a6700
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      APS-C

      26.0 MP

      Canon 7D II
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      APS-C

      20.2 MP

      Nikon L24
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      1/2.3-inch

      14 MP

      Nikon D600
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      Full Frame

      24.3 MP

      Canon 1D X
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      Full Frame

      18.1 MP

      Advantage of Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3

      Sony G3
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 over Nikon D5100.

      Nikon D5100 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3
      Lower Native ISO 100 vs 80
      Higher Native ISO 6,400 vs 3,200
      Image Stabilization vs
      Touch Screen vs
      Larger Screen 3.0" vs 3.50"
      Lighter 560 g (1.23 lb / 19.75 oz) vs 185 g (0.41 lb / 6.53 oz)
      Internal Storage vs 4 GB

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3.

      Canon R7
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      APS-C

      32.5 MP

      Nikon D70s
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      APS-C

      6.1 MP

      Olympus OM-D E-M1 III
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      Micro Four Thirds

      20.4 MP

      Canon R50
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      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Nikon Z8
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      Full Frame

      45.7 MP

      Olympus PEN-F
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      Micro Four Thirds

      20 MP

      Nikon Z30
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      APS-C

      20.9 MP

      Fujifilm S5 Pro
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      APS-C

      6 MP

      Canon 7D II
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      APS-C

      20.2 MP

      Canon R100
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      APS-C

      24.1 MP

      Fujifilm X-M1
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      APS-C

      16.3 MP

      Nikon P340
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      1/1.7-inch

      12.2 MP

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Nikon D5100 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3
        Video Capture
        Live View Autofocus
        Built-in Flash
        Orientation Sensor
      WEAKNESSES Nikon D5100 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3
        Few Focus Points119
        Low Video Resolution1920 x 1080640 x 480
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi via Eye-Fi
        No Built-In Bluetooth
        No Environmental Sealing

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Nikon D5100 has a 3.0" Fully Articulated screen with 921k dot resolution and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 has a 3.50" Fixed screen with 921k dot resolution. Fully articulated screen makes Nikon D5100 selfie and vlogger friendly and generally very useful for video shooting. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 also features touchscreen which has advantages such as easy menu navigation, intuitive controls, quick setting adjustment

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      Nikon D5100 with Fully Articulated screen


      Optical (pentamirror) Viewfinder on Nikon D5100

      Nikon D5100 has a built-in Optical (pentamirror) viewfinder. It has a 95% coverage and 0.78x (0.52x 35mm equivalent) magnification. There is no built-in or optional viewfinder available on Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3.

      Sensor

      Nikon D5100 features a 16.2 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 23.6 x 15.6 mm and a total area of 368.2 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 6,400 and expands to 100 - 25,600 in boosted mode. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 features a 10 megapixel 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor with dimensions of 6.17 x 4.55 mm and a total area of 20.7 mm2. Its native ISO range is 80 - 3,200.

      Photography Features

      Nikon D5100 is equipped with EXPEED 2 processor and can take pictures up to 4928 x 3264 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3696 x 2448, 2464 x 1632 with 3:2 aspect ratios. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 can take pictures up to 3648 x 2736 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3648 x 2432, 3648 x 2056, 2592 x 1944, 2048 x 1536, 1920 x 1080, 640 x 480 with 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios.

      Image Stabilization on Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3

      Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 has an image stabilization.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

      Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. connector for video signal output.


      Battery

      Nikon D5100 comes with EN-EL14 battery pack with battery life of 660 shots and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 comes with NP-BD1 battery pack.


      External Storage Slots

      Nikon D5100 has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 has a single Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Nikon D5100 has Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Nikon D5100, and up to 1/1000 sec on Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3. Nikon D5100 can shoot continuously up to 4.0 fps. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 can shoot continuously up to 1.6 fps.


      Focusing

      Nikon D5100 has 11 (1 cross-type) focusing points and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 has 9 focusing points. Nikon D5100 has detection range from -1 to +19 EV.


      Exposure

      Exposure meterings of Nikon D5100 ranges from 0 to +20 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±5 EV range on Nikon D5100 and ±2 range on Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3. You can also do exposure lock and exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Nikon D5100 and exposure bracketing on Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3.


      Flash

      Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 12.00 m at ISO 100 on Nikon D5100 and 4.30 m Auto ISO on Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3. Nikon D5100 also accepts external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/200 sec on Nikon D5100.

      Physical Parameters

      Nikon D5100 body has dimensions of 128 x 97 x 79 mm (5.04 x 3.82 x 3.11") and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 body has dimensions of 97 x 59 x 22 mm (3.82 x 2.32 x 0.87"). Nikon D5100 weighs 560 g (1.23 lb / 19.75 oz) and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 weighs 185 g (0.41 lb / 6.53 oz).

      Nikon D5100

      Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3

      128 mm

      97 mm

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      97 mm

      59 mm

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      97 mm

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      59 mm

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      79 mm

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      22 mm

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      Size comparisons of Nikon D5100 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3

      Nikon D5100 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Nikon D5100

      Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3

      GOOD
      71
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      AVERAGE
      56
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Touch Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Nikon D5100

      Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3

      AVERAGE
      67
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   1 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 4.0 fps
      •   Battery Life - 660 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      60
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Touch Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.6 fps
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Wildlife Photography

      Nikon D5100

      Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3

      AVERAGE
      59
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   1 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 4.0 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Battery Life - 660 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      64
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Touch Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.6 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Portrait Photography

      Nikon D5100

      Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3

      GOOD
      78
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   1 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      65
      •   Small Sensor
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Touch Screen
      •   Large Screen - 3.50"
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Street Photography

      Nikon D5100

      Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3

      GOOD
      81
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   1 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 560 g (1.23 lb / 19.75 oz)
      GOOD
      84
      •   Small Sensor
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Touch Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 185 g (0.41 lb / 6.53 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Nikon D5100

      Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3

      GOOD
      79
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 560 g (1.23 lb / 19.75 oz)
      •   Battery Life - 660 shots
      EXCELLENT
      88
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Touch Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 640 x 480
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 185 g (0.41 lb / 6.53 oz)

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Nikon D5100 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 and give them scores of 67 and 52 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


      Nikon D5100

      Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3

      OVERALL
      67
      OVERALL
      52

      Sensor

      Nikon D5100

      Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3

      AVERAGE
      69
      •   Sensor Resolution - 16.2 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   DxO Overall Score - 80
      POOR
      45
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 10 Megapixel
      •   80 Lowest Native ISO
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO

      Photo

      Nikon D5100

      Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3

      AVERAGE
      68
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 4.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec
      AVERAGE
      57
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/1000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.6 fps
      •   No External Flash Connectivity

      Video

      Nikon D5100

      Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3

      BAD
      14
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      POOR
      41
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 640 x 480

      Focusing

      Nikon D5100

      Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3

      GOOD
      83
      •   -1 EV Min AF Detection
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   1 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      AVERAGE
      58
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Nikon D5100

      Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3

      GOOD
      80
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      GOOD
      75
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Touch Screen
      •   Large Screen - 3.50"
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   No Viewfinder

      Connectivity

      Nikon D5100

      Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3

      GOOD
      75
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      BAD
      38
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Nikon D5100

      Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3

      POOR
      43
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 560 g (1.23 lb / 19.75 oz)
      •   Battery Life - 660 shots
      POOR
      49
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 185 g (0.41 lb / 6.53 oz)
      •   Internal Storage


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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