Sony a55 vs Nikon D7100

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a55 and Nikon D7100. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a55 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D7100 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony a55 were released 2010 and Nikon D7100 was released 2013. That is a 3 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a55 2010
Nikon D7100 2013

Type of camera

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a55 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D7100 has a "Nikon DX"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Sony a55 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Nikon D7100 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Sony)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Sony a55 has a 16 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D7100 has 24,1 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a55 16 MP
16032768 pixels
4912 x 3264
Nikon D7100 24,1 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000

Nikon D7100 has a 50 % larger resolution than Sony a55. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Sony a55 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D7100. Sony a55 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 12800 while Nikon D7100 has 100 to 6400.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a55 100-12800
Nikon D7100 100-6400

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a55
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D7100

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a55 can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds and Nikon D7100 can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a55 10
Nikon D7100 6

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

In this case, both Sony a55 and Nikon D7100 can shoot movies.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Nikon D7100 weighs 675 gr (equal to 1.49 lb) which is 35% heavier than Sony a55 and its 500 gr (or 1.1 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a55 500 gr
1.1 lb
Nikon D7100 675 gr
1.49 lb

Sony a55 vs Nikon D7100 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a55 and Nikon D7100, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Sony a55
Nikon D7100
Name Sony a55 Nikon D7100
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a55
Nikon D7100
Release Year 2010 2013
Release Date 2010-08-24 2013-02-21
MSRP 749 USD 1199 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a55
Nikon D7100
Camera Type SLT DSLR
Sensor
Sony a55
Nikon D7100
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4912 x 3264 pixels 6000 x 4000 pixels
Megapixels 16 MP 24,1 MP
Image Processor Bionz EXPEED 3
Image
Sony a55
Nikon D7100
ISO Range 100 - 12800 100 - 6400
White Balance Presets 6 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a55
Nikon D7100
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 15 51
Lens Mount Sony A

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-C Sensor (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
DX / APS-C (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Sony a55
Nikon D7100
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Fixed
Screen size 3” 3,2”
Screen dots 921000 1228800
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A Wide Viewing Angle TFT-LCD monitor
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 1.1× (0.73× 35mm equiv.) 0.94×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a55
Nikon D7100
Frames per second 10 fps 6 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range 10 meters 12 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Average
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a55
Nikon D7100
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
AVCHD
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers No Yes
Storage
Sony a55
Nikon D7100
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a55
Nikon D7100
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Yes
Wireless WR-1 and WR-R10
Remote Control Yes (Optional) Yes (Optional, wired MC-DC2 or wireless WR-1 and WR-R10 )
GPS Yes
Built-in
Yes
Optional
Body & Dimensions
Sony a55
Nikon D7100
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Rechargeable NP-FW50 battery & charger
Lithium-Ion EN-EL15 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 380 shots 950 shots
Width 124 mm 136 mm
Height 92 mm 107 mm
Depth 85 mm 76 mm
Weight 500 gram 675 gram