Which one is better SONY NEX 5 of Nikon D3100?

Not only as per features and on paper statistics bu also based on use on field ease of use, cost effectiveness and quality which one is better D3100 or NEX 5

Nikon D3100 is just awsome. I used it and it's give me good support…

Which camera system do you want to use for the next few decades?

Nikon has over 70 different lenses and three professional level cameras.

What does Sony have? How many lenses? How many pro cameras?

You are no longer using P&S cameras that you can change from brand to brand without any added cost. With cameras like the Nikon D3100 and NEX 5, if you change brands, you will have to replace all the lenses you have been accumulating over the years

D3100 if you are really into photography? More user friendly I think

That is hard to say. For this decision, you need to look at the camera from the perspective of a system - in that the camera system consists of the camera, lenses, speedlights, accessories, and upgrade path.

Ask yourself these questions:

1. What lenses are available for each, and do you see the need to have a huge lens selection or a limited lens selection. Do you need esoteric lenses, such as a fisheye? What are the longest telephoto lenses you can buy? Can you get a macro lens?

2.Is there 3rd party support; lenses, accessories, and similar.

3. What accessories and speedlights are available?

4. What is the upgrade path. If you decide to upgrade the body and keep your lenses, is this possible?

5. Where will the camera system be in 5 years? Especially with lenses, they tend to last for 10 or 20 years. In 10 years, will your lenses still be able to be used on a camera or will they be obsolete?

After answering those questions, you will have your answer.

In my view, the only real reason to go with a NEX is portability. But then once you begin to assemble lenses - if that is something you want to do - then the portability of the NEX becomes limited.

If it were me, I'd go with the D3100 and over the next few years, purchase lenses one-by-one. As an amateur, not many of us can buy a whole crop of high-end lenses at once.

Then after a few years, when I have the lenses I want; I'd upgrade the D3100 body to whatever is the next replacement for the D7000 or D300s.

You don't have that upgrade path with the NEX cameras.

The Nikon is a DSLR, the Sony's an EVIL - there's no comparison.

Any DSLR will blow any EVIL out of the water.

They are two different types of camera: the Nikon is a DSLR, the NEX is a non-SLR system camera. Both have physically similar sized large sensors, even if megapixel count is different. The true SLR (Nikon) will be easier to operate with very long tele lenses because of its built-in eye-level viewfinder; the NEX is lighter and more compact, but relies mainly on its rear screen as a viewfinder, maybe not so good on a bright day. Cost effectiveness depends on how many lenses you buy.