Camera comparison: Nikon D5100 versus Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX200V

Here is an Ebony Langur at the Bronx Zoo, shot with the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX200V:

young Ebony langur head

young Ebony langur head

Under the same lighting conditions, the same animal, photographed today with the Nikon D5100:

Cropped and Enhance–>Unsharp-Mask applied (as the one above was):
DSC_0006-GIMPED

Not cropped and un-retouched:
DSC_0006

It’s important to note that the Sony cost about $350, while the Nikon (including an extra 55-300mm zoom lens) cost $850. So there is no expectation that the two photos would have comparable image quality. The most important difference is the sensor size. The Sony has a 1/2.3, about 30 sq. mm, while the Nikon has the APS-C, about 370 sq. mm.