Main
Model
Price
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launch
Announced
Body type
Camera subcategory
Sensor
Effective pixels
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Optics & Focus
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Weight (inc. batteries)
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Orientation sensor
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GPS notes
Samples
Videos
Main
Model
Price
Advantages
PHOTOGRAPHY FEATURES Flash range: 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
PHOTOGRAPHY FEATURES External flash: Yes (via hot shoe or wireless)
PHYSICAL Battery Life (CIPA): 700
OTHER FEATURES GPS: Optional
Main
Model
Price
Advantages
PHOTOGRAPHY FEATURES Continuous drive: 6.0 fps
PHOTOGRAPHY FEATURES WB Bracketing: Yes (3 frames, high/low settings)
SCREEN / VIEWFINDER Articulated LCD: Tilting
SCREEN / VIEWFINDER Screen dots: 921,600
SCREEN / VIEWFINDER Touch screen: Yes
VIDEOGRAPHY FEATURES Microphone: Stereo
OPTICS & FOCUS Digital zoom: Yes (2X (Clear Image Zoom), 4X (digital zoom))
OPTICS & FOCUS Number of focus points: 179
PHYSICAL Weight (inc. batteries): 283 g (0.62 lb / 9.98 oz)
CONNECTIVITY Wireless: Built-In
OTHER FEATURES Timelapse recording: Yes (via optional app)
Summary
The Sony Alpha a5100 offers more focus points in compare with the Nikon D3300: 179 vs 11. More number of focus points means less risk of losing focus lock while tracking a moving object.
The Alpha a5100 has tilting display which will let the camera owner to capture photos from any interesting perspective. The Sony Alpha a5100 screen is better as it offers more screen dots 921,600 in comparison to 921,000 dots of the Nikon D3300 display. The higher dot count screen is better for reviewing images on your camera. The Alpha a5100 has a touch screen.
The Nikon D3300 supports external flash. It provides superior control over the exposure and lighting of the object in dim light and in bright light conditions when the photographer needs to fill-flash. The Alpha a5100 is equipped with built-in Wi-Fi which will help the photographer to transfer photos wirelessly from a camera to a laptop. The Nikon D3300 battery life is better in compare to the Sony Alpha a5100 battery life. In accordance with CIPA standards the camera owner will be able to produce 700 photos with the D3300 and only 400 with the Alpha a5100. The Alpha a5100 weighs 283g that is 147g lighter in comparison with the weight of the Nikon D3300. The Nikon D3300 can utilize optional accessory GPS devices. This feature can be useful if the camera owner is a traveller, to be able to check the photo metadata and see exactly where a picture was shot.
Considering the above differences the Sony Alpha a5100 will be the best buy. Get the lowest price on Amazon