- Conclusion Get the lowdown
- Features How it compares
- Performance Real world benchmarks
- Differences Technical showdown
- Reviews Word on the street
- Competition Others to consider
- Discussion Answers and opinions
Nikon D5100
- 16.1 MP
- APS-C CMOS
- 3" LCD
Rated 80% by by TrustedReviews (Mar, 2012)Significantly smaller and lighter, it’s also easy to use, offers good performance and is capable of delivering consistently good results, both in stills and movie mode.
Conclusion Check out the Nikon D5100
Features Key features of the Nikon D5100
16.1 MP
APS-C
Rated 76% by by DPReview (Apr, 2011)However, it gains 1080p video capability (at 30, 25 or 24fps), saved using the efficient H.264/AVC codec, and a 920,000 dot fully articulated LCD panel to help shoot it.
megapixels
| 0 MP | 24.1 MP    | 30 MP |
D5100 by Photography Blog (Apr, 2011)The Nikon D5100 is a new 16.2 megapixel DSLR camera that can record Full HD movies at 1920x1280 pixels / 25fps with stereo sound.
D5100 by Plantasphilia (Mar, 2012)If you can afford, of course get the D7000 with more buttons to play with and a heavier body to carry around, though the picture quality is about the same as D5100 (same sensor and pixel count) in most shooting conditions.
sensor size
D5100 by Rob-LaRosa (Apr, 2011)I had purchased one of the Micro Four Thirds cameras because it was light and small, but I found the quality lacking when compared to APS-C cameras.
D5100 by William-J.-Stainbrook (Jun, 2011)My only wish is that it had a full frame sensor rather than the DX format, but for my use, I will probably never see the difference.
viewfinder size
D5100 by dojokloViewfinder: The D5100 has a pentamirror viewfinder with approximately 95% coverage of the actual resulting image, the same as the D3100.
D5100 by Mr.-Dynes (Dec, 2011)The combination of quicker access to common shooting parameters, more useful info in the viewfinder, and a better placed spin dial mean that you're more easily able to change settings without ever taking your eye away from the viewfinder.
body size
127 x 97 x 79 mm
145 x 106 x 79 mm
132 x 105 x 77 mm
focus points
| 0 | 39 | 40 |
D5100 by Photography Blog (Apr, 2011)Ultimately the Nikon D5100 easily overcomes its few real weak points, offering a compelling mix of great image and movie quality, precise and quick auto-focusing, accurate metering and a fantastic LCD screen, all in a format that most users will find intutive and enjoyable to use.
D5100 by SeeYouToo--Craig (Apr, 2012)11 focusing points on this camera makes a huge difference for me.
Performance Real world tests of Nikon D5100
DxOMark image quality
D5100 by Kmimi00 (Feb, 2013)Was very excited to get his camera in the mail and it was everything it said it was, the picture quality is great and I was VERY happy with this purchase.
D5100 by El-Guapo (May, 2011)Pictures are of course phenomenal, and in particular I've enjoyed using the "Night Vision" effect setting to capture some excellent black.
DxOMark low light performance
D5100 by Cebuano (May, 2011)D5100 superior low light excellent image quality and loving it more, I have returned my D3100 and keeping Nikon D5100 instead,using Nikon 35mm 1.8G AF-S ( same 1600 ISO and shutter, Aperture etc., clearly less noise under indoor night low light condition worth every penny IMHO).
D5100 by CYNICALifornia (May, 2011)After reading countless reviews I cam to the conclusion that either camera was a good choice, but the Nikon has better image quality and low light performance.
shutter lag
| 0 ms | 238 ms  | 300 ms |
D5100 by Peter (May, 2012)Its shutter delay is minimal and it takes multiple pictures fast enough to catch the moment almost every time.
D5100 by Seth-WandersmanUnfortunately the shutter lag when using Live View is so slow that I could never use it for anything involving people.
continuous shooting
D5100 by dojokloContinuous Shooting Speed: As you work your way up the Nikon dSLR line-up the cameras' continuous shooting speed and maximum shots at that rate increases.
D5100 by TrustedReviews (May, 2011)Continuous shooting is a claimed 4fps, although we weren't able to verify this during our time with the camera.
battery life
660 photos
1,100 photos
1,050 photos
Our analysis How does it stack up against its top 10 competitors
pros
-
Contrast detection focusing system -
HD video -
Generic -
APS-C -
Gives you more flexibility when framing your shot -
80.0 -
1,183 ISO -
Opaque -
Great for recording movies -
500 ms
cons
-
4 fps -
1 -
Apr, 2011 -
None -
95% -
HD video -
16.1 MP -
0.51x -
Use buttons to access features and menus -
You'll have to protect your camera from the elements -
No automatic 3D -
273 ms -
No automatic stitching -
82.69% -
1/4000 s
Reviews Word on the street
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 | Rated by 648 users at amazon.com Rated 100% by by Thomas-F.-Harrison (Feb, 2012) Rated 100% by by James-Lee (Jun, 2011) |
Lens
Nikon D5100 | Rated 100% by by Jes (Mar, 2013)One of the rings for the additional lenses fit the regular lense that I ordered with the camera perfectly.
Nikon D5100 | Rated 100% by by Rob-LaRosa (Apr, 2011)The exception is the Panasonic 20mm lens - that's a good lens.
Nikon D5100 | Rated 100% by by J.-SeethalerThe telephoto and wide angle lenses both come with a standard male threads to attach to your other lenses that are 58mm, but the camera lenses here are 52mm.
Sensor
Nikon D5100 | Rated 100% by by Mario (Sep, 2012)The quality of the lenses are extraordinary and even a professional photographer acquaintance of mine agreed that the ISO level it reaches, the color adjustment and other focus settings are good enough to make pro-level photography.
Nikon D5100 | Rated 76% by by DPReview (Apr, 2011)Having said that, even at the HI1.0 (ISO 12,800) setting high contrast detail is still acceptable and, despite the visible luminance noise, images are perfectly usable at smaller print sizes.
Nikon D5100 | Rated 80% by by Blah (May, 2012)the video mode is mostly just for fun as the aperture is selectable but not the exposure or iso setting.
Video
Nikon D5100 | Rated 100% by by FineArtVideo.com--Rick-BennetteThe Nikon wins out in sharpness, which may not make it look as pretty for films, but it is a more natural looking image for general video use.
Nikon D5100 | Rated 100% by by Christopher-M.-Blount (Apr, 2011)1080p video is just as good (if not better) than any dedicated HD camcorder.
Focus
Nikon D5100 | Rated 100% by by Ricardo-Bustamante (Dec, 2011)Great bed I think is the best investment and made ''the camera takes great pictures and automatic or manual focus is very happy with this team.
Nikon D5100 | Rated 80% by by TrustedReviews (Mar, 2012)We found the D5100’s 11-point phase-detect system to be generally fast enough when shooting through the viewfinder, although it is worth reiterating that because the D5100 lacks an internal AF motor, AF performance is very much determined by the choice of lens attached – in this case the supplied 18-55mm VR kit lens.
Nikon D5100 | Rated 100% by by libbylab (Aug, 2011)We got a f/4-5.6G, IF-ED, AF-S, DX 55-200mm VR lens with the D40 (because I knew I wanted it) so I have that to use with my D5100 for nature shots in Florida.
Screen
Nikon D5100 | Rated 80% by by Pinak-Lonkar--PiLo (Jan, 2013)The body's construction, neck strap, the eye piece, the screen, and the 18-55 VR lens supplied seem to be of pretty high quality for $500.
Nikon D5100 | Rated 100% by by Karthik (Jan, 2012)The layout is pretty user friendly and flip LCD screen works pretty good.
Competition What else you should consider
 | 1 | Nikon D7000 OK benchmarked shot to shot times D7000 vs D5100 |
 | 2 | Sony SLT A57 Most detailed video recording mode Sony SLT A57 vs Nikon D5100 |
 | 3 | Nikon D90 Largest sensor D90 vs D5100 |
 | 4 | Canon EOS 60D Most shots per battery charge Canon EOS 60D vs Nikon D5100 |
 | 5 | Nikon D3200 High resolution D3200 vs D5100 |
 | 6 | Nikon D5200 Best image quality as rated by DXOMark D5200 vs D5100 |
 | 7 | Canon EOS 600D 3-way tie: Highest resolution screen Canon EOS 600D vs Nikon D5100 |
 | 8 | Canon Rebel T4i Has a touch screen Canon Rebel T4i vs Nikon D5100 |
New duel?
Let the battle continue or dare to compare.
Popular Questions
Nikon D5100 vs Canon Rebel T3i Vs Sony SLT-A57
Please can any unbiased expert tell me which is better : Canon T3i, Sony Slt A57 or Nikon D5100.. I want the best picture and Video.. Thanks
My 4th grade friends and I are looking for a good film camera.
I have been acting in videos for years, but I want to direct in this. I consider my self a definite beginner.I was thinking about the canon Rebel T2i, but if possible, we don't have any money our...
Which camera i have to choose as i am Beginner?
I am going to buy my first ever DSLR camera but after reading lots of entries i am totally confused to select the right one. mainly i would like to take portriat (faces), nature things. and after...
Latest Questions
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I'm conducting a series of lengthy one-on-one interviews, and am looking for the best camera to film these interviews with. Things like a flipout lcd screen and auto-focus are probably not to...
Always on the go, soccer, travel, school concerts, playing at the beach
I am a beginner that will never be an expert. My life is busy as a single mom and we are always on the run. I want to be able to always have the camera for picutes and movies, yet I also want I...
I will use it for Child playing.
I am going to start photography school and I will going to use on my children too. I like the canon 60D idea of having semi pro so I dont have to upgrade right away but most of my friend I to...
Unanswered Questions
- 151 discussions
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Best camera for sport shots?
I'm intrested in taking a lot of sport shots, specifically shots of swimmers and during water polo games, what camera is better for these types of shots? Also I am going to need a high zoom...
Cinematic look videos, short films
I will make short films, prefer video mostly vacation trip and house hold functions
Low light.
I like my Canon SX110 IS, but indoors with flash the colors seem a little washed out. Without flash, for example a Christmas tree, just about impossible. My smartphone takes a better picture.
Community Find out what the Sortable community is saying about the Nikon D5100
283
people have recommended the
Nikon D5100Top Nikon D5100 experts at Sortable
- 16.1 MP
- APS-C CMOS
- 3" LCD
If you can score a gently used/refurbished D7000 for little more than D5100, go for it. Not sure where you live, but most reputable vendors have D7000 priced nearly twice as much as D7000 is in...
- 2 comments
- May 12, 2012
- Reply to: Maximum flexibility
You should get this straight first. what you need to think about when you choose your first set of gear is "WHAT YOU CAN EXPERIENCE WITH YOUR BUDGET" if your budget is the amount that you can a...
- 0 comments
- August 17, 2012
- Reply to: D5100 or d7000
D7000 for a serious photography business; d5100 if u do not have old lenses and do not require cls as image quality for both of these are v close
- 1 comment
- May 18, 2012
- Reply to: Quality of pictures and equipment as well as flexibility for future
- 16 MP
- APS-C CMOS
- 3" LCD
The best price, ease of use, great pictures, good high iso performance, relatively small as for dslr, i was considering t3i and d5100 (it took me almost 3 months to choose ) and i picked d5100....
- 0 comments
- August 21, 2012
- Reply to: Nikon D5100 vs Canon Rebel T3i Vs Sony SLT-A57
Most cameras in this class have the same size sensor and about the same number of pixels, resulting in similar pixel density. There are factors that will have an effect on the amount of noise in...
- 0 comments
- June 1, 2012
- Reply to: Individual pixel size.
If you are not going to use video o lot, I'd recommend Nikon D5100, cause of it's awesome low light performance. If you are intending to buy lenses they will become actually cheaper then Sony's,...
- 0 comments
- June 12, 2012
- Reply to: Digital Photography Class, Digital Storytelling, film making, and casual use
- 17.9 MP
- APS-C CMOS
- 3" LCD
The best price, ease of use, great pictures, good high iso performance, relatively small as for dslr, i was considering t3i and d5100 (it took me almost 3 months to choose ) and i picked d5100....
- 0 comments
- August 21, 2012
- Reply to: Nikon D5100 vs Canon Rebel T3i Vs Sony SLT-A57
When getting a DSLR, you'll be getting into picking a "system", not just a camera. That means not just one but possibly more lenses depending on your shooting needs, flashes and other Both Canon...
- 0 comments
- June 2, 2012
- Reply to: Photos of a new baby as well as food photography
When getting a DSLR, you'll be getting into picking a "system", not just a camera. That means not just one but possibly more lenses depending on your shooting needs, flashes and other Both Canon...
- 0 comments
- June 2, 2012
- Reply to: Most important criteria to me.
