The Nikon D7100 and the Sony Alpha A6000 are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in February 2013 and February 2014. The D7100 is a DSLR, while the A6000 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. Both cameras are equipped with an APS-C sensor. Both cameras offer a resolution of 24 megapixels. Show Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.  Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Nikon D7100 and the Sony Alpha A6000? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers. Body comparisonThe physical size and weight of the Nikon D7100 and the Sony A6000 are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter. The A6000 can be obtained in three different colors (black, silver, white), while the D7100 is only available in black. If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Sony A6000 is considerably smaller (45 percent) than the Nikon D7100. Moreover, the A6000 is substantially lighter (55 percent) than the D7100. It is worth mentioning in this context that the D7100 is splash and dust resistant, while the A6000 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing. The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. Both cameras have similarly sized sensors, but DSLRs have a larger flange-to-focal plane distance than mirrorless cameras, which imposes contraints on the optical engineering process and generally leads to bigger and heavier lenses. You can compare the optics available for the two cameras in the Nikon Lens Catalog (D7100) and the Sony E-Mount Lens Catalog (A6000). Mirrorless cameras, such as the A6000, have moreover the advantage that they can use many lenses from other systems via adapters, as they have a relatively short flange to focal plane distance. Concerning battery life, the D7100 gets 950 shots out of its EN-EL15 battery, while the A6000 can take 360 images on a single charge of its NP-FW50 power pack. The power pack in the A6000 can be charged via the USB port, which can be very convenient when travelling. The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options. Body Specifications Camera Model Camera Width Camera Height Camera Depth Camera Weight Battery Life Weather Sealing Camera Launch Launch Price (USD) Street Price 1. Nikon D7100 136 mm 107 mm 76 mm 765 g 950 Y Feb 2013 1,199ebay.com2. Sony A6000 120 mm 67 mm 45 mm 344 g 360 n Feb 2014 599ebay.com3. Canon 80D 139 mm 105 mm 79 mm 730 g 960 Y Feb 2016 1,199ebay.com4. Canon 70D 139 mm 104 mm 79 mm 755 g 920 Y Jul 2013 1,199ebay.com5. Nikon D7500 136 mm 104 mm 73 mm 720 g 950 Y Apr 2017 1,299 amazon.com6. Nikon D500 147 mm 115 mm 81 mm 860 g 1240 Y Jan 2016 1,999 amazon.com7. Nikon D7200 136 mm 107 mm 76 mm 765 g 1110 Y Mar 2015 1,199ebay.com8. Nikon D750 141 mm 113 mm 78 mm 750 g 1230 Y Sep 2014 2,299ebay.com9. Nikon D610 141 mm 113 mm 82 mm 850 g 900 Y Oct 2013 1,999ebay.com10. Nikon D600 141 mm 113 mm 82 mm 850 g 900 Y Sep 2012 2,099ebay.com11. Nikon D7000 132 mm 105 mm 77 mm 780 g 1050 Y Sep 2010 1,499ebay.com12. Sony A6300 120 mm 67 mm 49 mm 404 g 400 Y Feb 2016 999ebay.com13. Sony RX100 IV 102 mm 58 mm 41 mm 298 g 280 n Jun 2015 999ebay.com14. Sony A5100 110 mm 63 mm 36 mm 283 g 400 n Aug 2014 549ebay.com15. Sony A3000 128 mm 91 mm 85 mm 411 g 470 n Aug 2013 329ebay.com16. Sony RX10 129 mm 88 mm 102 mm 813 g 420 Y Oct 2013 1,299ebay.com17. Sony NEX-6 120 mm 67 mm 43 mm 345 g 360 n Sep 2012 999ebay.com Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The A6000 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 50 percent) than the D7100, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Sensor comparisonThe size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider , and richer than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses. Both cameras under consideration feature an APS-C sensor and have a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 1.5. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the review cameras among the medium-sized sensor cameras that aim to strike a balance between image quality and portability. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2. The two cameras under review do not only share the same sensor size, but also offer an identical resolution of 24 megapixels. This similarity in sensor specs implies that both the D7100 and the A6000 have the same pixel density, as well as the same pixel size. It should, however, be noted that the A6000 is a somewhat more recent model (by 11 months) than the D7100, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the D7100 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves. The A6000 has on-sensor phase detect pixels, which results in fast and reliable autofocus acquisition even during live view operation. The Nikon D7100 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 6400, which can be extended to ISO 50-25600. The corresponding ISO settings for the Sony Alpha A6000 are ISO 100 to ISO 25600, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-51200. Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras. Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The Overall DXO ratings for the two cameras under consideration are close, suggesting that they provide similar imaging performance. The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras. Sensor Characteristics Camera Model Sensor Class Resolution (MP) Horiz. Pixels Vert. Pixels Video Format DXO Portrait DXO Landscape DXO Sports DXO Overall 1. Nikon D7100 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.213.71256832. Sony A6000 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.113.11347823. Canon 80D APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.613.21135794. Canon 70D APS-C 20.0 5472 36481080/30p22.511.6926685. Nikon D7500 APS-C 20.7 5568 37124K/30p24.314.01483866. Nikon D500 APS-C 20.7 5568 37124K/30p24.014.01324837. Nikon D7200 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.514.61333878. Nikon D750 Full Frame 24.2 6016 40161080/60p24.814.52956939. Nikon D610 Full Frame 24.2 6016 40161080/30p25.114.429259410. Nikon D600 Full Frame 24.2 6016 40161080/30p25.114.229809411. Nikon D7000 APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/24p23.513.911678012. Sony A6300 APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/30p24.413.714378513. Sony RX100 IV 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.812.65917014. Sony A5100 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.812.713478015. Sony A3000 APS-C 19.8 5456 36321080/60i23.712.810687816. Sony RX10 1-inch 20.0 5472 36481080/60p22.912.64746917. Sony NEX-6 APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i23.713.1101878
Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, and both provide the same movie specifications (1080/60p). Feature comparisonBeyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the A6000 has an electronic viewfinder (1440k dots), while the D7100 has an optical one. Both systems have their advantages, with the electronic viewfinder making it possible to project supplementary shooting information into the framing view, whereas the optical viewfinder offers lag-free viewing and a very clear framing image. The viewfinders of both cameras offer the same field of view (100%), but the viewfinder of the A6000 has a higher magnification than the one of the D7100 (0.70x vs 0.63x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Nikon D7100 and Sony A6000 along with similar information for a selection of comparators. Core Features Camera Model Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots) Control Panel (yes/no) LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots) LCD Attach- ment Touch Screen (yes/no) Max Shutter Speed * Max Shutter Flaps * Built-in Flash (yes/no) Built-in Image Stab 1. Nikon D7100optical Y3.2 / 1229 fixed n 1/8000s 6.0/s Y n 2. Sony A60001440 n3.0 / 922 tilting n 1/4000s 11.0/s Y n 3. Canon 80Doptical Y3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/8000s 7.0/s Y n 4. Canon 70Doptical Y3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/8000s 7.0/s Y n 5. Nikon D7500optical Y3.2 / 922 tilting Y 1/8000s 8.0/s Y n 6. Nikon D500optical Y3.2 / 2359 tilting Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n n 7. Nikon D7200optical Y3.2 / 1229 fixed n 1/8000s 6.0/s Y n 8. Nikon D750optical Y3.2 / 1229 tilting n 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n 9. Nikon D610optical Y3.2 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n 10. Nikon D600optical Y3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 5.5/s Y n 11. Nikon D7000optical Y3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/8000s 6.0/s Y n 12. Sony A63002359 n3.0 / 922 tilting n 1/4000s 11.0/s Y n 13. Sony RX100 IV2359 n3.0 / 1228 tilting n 1/2000s 16.0/s Y Y 14. Sony A5100none n3.0 / 922 tilting Y 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n 15. Sony A3000202 n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 2.5/s Y n 16. Sony RX101440 Y3.0 / 1229 tilting n 1/3200s 10.0/s Y Y 17. Sony NEX-62359 n3.0 / 921 tilting n 1/4000s 10.0/s Y n Notes: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
One feature that is present on the D7100, but is missing on the A6000 is a top-level LCD. While being, of course, smaller than the rear screen, the control panel conveys some of the essential shooting information and can be convenient for quick and easy settings verification. The Nikon D7100 has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software. The D7100 writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the A6000 uses SDXC or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards. The D7100 features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the A6000 only has one slot. Both cameras can use UHS-I cards, which provide for Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s. Connectivity comparisonFor some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Nikon D7100 and Sony Alpha A6000 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer. Input-Output Connections Camera Model Hotshoe Port Internal Mic / Speaker Microphone Port Headphone Port HDMI Port USB Port WiFi Support NFC Support Bluetooth Support 1. Nikon D7100Ystereo / monoYYmini2.0- 2. Sony A6000Ystereo / mono--micro2.0YY- 3. Canon 80DYstereo / monoYYmini2.0YY- 4. Canon 70DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0Y 5. Nikon D7500Ystereo / monoYYmini2.0Y-Y 6. Nikon D500Ystereo / monoYYmini3.0YYY 7. Nikon D7200Ystereo / monoYYmini2.0YY- 8. Nikon D750Ystereo / monoYYmini2.0Y-- 9. Nikon D610Ymono / monoYYmini2.0- 10. Nikon D600Ymono / monoYYmini2.0- 11. Nikon D7000Ymono / monoY-mini2.0- 12. Sony A6300Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0YY- 13. Sony RX100 IV-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY- 14. Sony A5100-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY- 15. Sony A3000Ystereo / mono--mini2.0- 16. Sony RX10Ystereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY- 17. Sony NEX-6Ystereo / mono--mini2.0Y--
It is notable that the D7100 has a microphone port, which is missing on the A6000. Such an external microphone input can help to substantially improve the quality of audio recordings when a good external microphone is used. Both the D7100 and the A6000 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The D7100 was replaced by the Nikon D7200, while the A6000 was followed by the Sony A6300. Further information on the features and operation of the D7100 and A6000 can be found, respectively, in the Nikon D7100 Manual (free pdf) or the online Sony A6000 Manual. Review summarySo what conclusions can be drawn? Is the Nikon D7100 better than the Sony A6000 or vice versa? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below. Advantages of the Nikon D7100:
Arguments in favor of the Sony Alpha A6000:
If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the match-up finishes in a tie (14 points each). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one. D7100 14:14 A6000 How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Nikon D7100 and the Sony A6000 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera and Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop. In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the D7100 or the A6000 perform in practice. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased. Expert reviewsThis is why expert reviews are important. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice. Expert Camera Reviews Camera Model AP score CL score DCW score DPR score EPZ score PB score Camera Launch Launch Price (USD) Street Price 1. Nikon D71005/5+ +..85/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2013 1,199ebay.com 2. Sony A60005/5+4.5/580/1004.5/55/5 Feb 2014 599ebay.com 3. Canon 80D4/5+ +4.5/584/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2016 1,199ebay.com 4. Canon 70D5/5+ +..83/1004.5/55/5 Jul 2013 1,199ebay.com 5. Nikon D75004.5/5+ +4.5/586/1005/54.5/5 Apr 2017 1,299 amazon.com 6. Nikon D5005/5+ +4.7/591/1004.5/55/5 Jan 2016 1,999 amazon.com 7. Nikon D72004/5+ +..84/1004.5/54.5/5 Mar 2015 1,199ebay.com 8. Nikon D7505/5+ +4/590/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2014 2,299ebay.com 9. Nikon D6104/5+ +..87/1004.5/54.5/5 Oct 2013 1,999ebay.com 10. Nikon D6004/5+ +..87/1005/54.5/5 Sep 2012 2,099ebay.com 11. Nikon D70004/5....80/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2010 1,499ebay.com 12. Sony A63004.5/5+..85/1005/55/5 Feb 2016 999ebay.com 13. Sony RX100 IV4.5/5+ +..85/1004/54.5/5 Jun 2015 999ebay.com 14. Sony A51004.5/5+....4.5/55/5 Aug 2014 549ebay.com 15. Sony A30003/5+....4/54/5 Aug 2013 329ebay.com 16. Sony RX105/5+..80/1004.5/54.5/5 Oct 2013 1,299ebay.com 17. Sony NEX-65/5+ +..78/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2012 999ebay.com Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts. Other camera comparisonsDid this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just make your choice using the following search menu. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.
Specifications: Nikon D7100 vs Sony A6000Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features. |
