Entry-level DSLR Entry-level DSLR
April, 2011
Nikon D5100

NikonD5100

Summary Nikon D5100

Prices Price
Body only $749 With 18-55mm lens $600 - $747
all D5100 prices
Score Snapsort rank
Within its price range #1 of 8 Among similar cameras #4 of 17
details details
Specifications Key specs
Sensor size Help APS-C 23.6x15.6mm Screen resolution Help 920k dots
Megapixels Help 16.1 MP Movie format Help 1080p @ 30fps
Screen size Help 3.0" Light sensitivity Help 6,400 ISO
see all specifications
Lenses Lenses
Browse all Nikon D5100 lenses at LensHero
Nikon D5100Nikon D5100

reviewsWhat are people saying about the D5100

"On the whole the D5100's movies are look great, with smooth motion and impressively low noise in dim light."
dpreview.com | talking about the camera's video-quality
"Its body design is smaller and neater than its predecessor's and key controls fall easily to hand."
dpreview.com | talking about the camera's feel
"Unintimidating interface, but with plenty of manual control."
dpreview.com | talking about the camera's button-layout

Videos

Canon EOS 600D (T3i) vs Nikon ...

Nikon D5100 Hands-on Review

NIKON D5100 (English)
Canon EOS 600D (T3i) vs Nikon D5100 Review
  • Review
  • Pro
 Nikon D5100 Hands-on Review
  • Review
  • Preview
  • Ergonomics
  • Image quality
 NIKON D5100 (English)
  • Review
  • Promo

Browse all Nikon D5100 videos

Pros

The Nikon D5100 vs other recent entry-level DSLRs

Low light performance Very low noise at high ISO Help
1,183 ISO
Overall image quality Incredible overall image quality Help
80.0
Movie format Full HD Help
1080p @ 30fps
Dynamic range Wide dynamic range Help
13.6 EV
Screen size Above average sized screen Help
3.0"
Screen resolution High resolution screen Help
920k dots
Screen flips out Flip-out screen Help
Great for movies
Movie continuous focus Movie continuous focus Help
Makes it easy to get in-focus movies
Announced New Help
April, 2011
Color depth Good color depth Help
23.5 bits
Supports 24p 24p movies Help
For that film look
Startup delay Short startup delay Help
500 ms startup delay
Autofocus Autofocuses shooting video Help
Contrast detection
Lens availability More lenses available Help
169 lenses
External mic jack External mic jack Help
Record higher quality audio with a microphone
HDR In-camera HDR Help
Combines multiple exposures
Light sensitivity (boost) High boost light sensitivity Help
25,600 ISO
Popularity Very popular Help
Among snapsort users

Cons

The Nikon D5100 vs other recent entry-level DSLRs

Light sensitivity Poor maximum light sensitivity Help
6,400 ISO
Panorama Lacks in-camera panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
Cross type focus points Fewer cross-type focus points Help
1
3D Doesn't take 3D photos Help
No 3d support
Viewfinder coverage Below average viewfinder coverage Help
95%
Storage slots Fewer storage slots Help
1
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur
Viewfinder size Small viewfinder Help
0.51x
Continuous shooting Slow continuous shooting Help
4 fps
Shutter lag Longer shutter lag Help
273 ms shutter lag
Lens focus motor No focus motor Help
Won't autofocus with all lenses
Fastest shutter speed Slow shutter speed Help
1/4000 of a second

dxomark

DXOMark

Appearance

front photo of the Nikon D5100back photo of the Nikon D5100angle photo of the Nikon D5100

Discussion What do you think about the Nikon D5100?

Speech is free, but discussion at Snapsort is moderated! Please discuss your opinion of this camera here, and discuss feedback for Snapsort at our support community.

Showing 25 comments

Someone@Singapore (7:07 PM, February 14, 2012)
I brought a Nikon D5100 about 2 months back, and most of my initial research to narrow down the camera was done at snapsort.com - a big thank you to the website and their team. What I like is the level of detail and the simplicity of it's presentation, and the fact that they go ahead and rank stuff and explain as necessary - allowing visitors to get the detailed information quickly and make their own decisions. I am very happy with my purchase and agree with their recommendations (which were shown as of Feb 2012) on Nikon D5100. I brought the camera especially for indoor shooting for kids photos, and couple this DSLR with a 35mm f/2.8 fixed length lens when shooting at home.
 
Faisal Wassan (0:06 PM, February 12, 2012)
Can anyone recommend me the best dslr camera for shooting web videos. Videos will primarily be in front of a whitescreen with studio lights. Options are Nikon D5100 and Canon 7D (or anything else you recommend). Videos will be shot at 24p. I need something that's simple and easy to use without a steep learning. Thanks in advance.
 
Ata M3 (1:32 AM, February 11, 2012)
is it a good enought camera for action photos?
 
Guest (9:56 AM, February 08, 2012)
Confused 600D or D5100...? Tell me why should i go with D5100...?
 
Ata M3 (9:43 PM, February 07, 2012)
is this camera enought good to take sport pics?
 
Avatar for Joe Joe (3:52 AM, February 07, 2012)
I think that d5100 is better than.
 
Avatar for Mónica Matos Mónica Matos (1:08 AM, February 03, 2012)
My first DSLR Camera. I bought it in November 2011 and upgraded from an award-winning bridge (Lumix FZ38). I'm a perfectionist, and I love close-ups and low light photography. This was the very best value for the money I could possibly find. The sensor is beyond phenomenal, even better than some low-end FX cameras. I'm amazed at the almost nonexistent noise I get from higher ISOs. Seriously, I'm in love. :)
 
H.Y.O. (1:48 AM, January 30, 2012)
I have been going back and forth between the Canon T2i and the Nikon D5100 for months now and I can't seem to decide. Most people I speak to are biased towards either brand. Whichever one I buy will be my first DSLR. I have played with both cameras and each one has good qualities that I couldn't find in the other. I noticed that the D5100 takes more time to focus but the pictures look a lot clearer and the quality is much better. The Canon feels more comfortable but I feel the colors are a little flushed. I'll be using the camera mostly for stills/portraits...so, any recommendations? And please elaborate! :)
 
Avatar for Merx LC Merx LC (4:22 PM, January 14, 2012)
Just got mine yesterday! It's definitely amazing for a beginner like me <3 Thank you so much snapsort for helping me choose! 
 
Avatar for Nuala Nuala (9:27 AM, January 14, 2012)
Is this a good camera for shooting fashion images? Are the colors true? I've had issues in the past with some camera brands not shooting true-to-life purple. Would that be more to do with white balance than the actual camera?  Thanks!
 
Avatar for Seeta Kaur Seeta Kaur (7:46 AM, December 29, 2011)
I see most of people complaining about the auto focus, is it that bad?
i'm totally newbie and planning to buy camera soon, at first my choice fall to D7000 but seeing the comparison of 'TIE' with D5100 it made me think twice, the difference almost $400

What i concern about is the auto focus and continues shoot, can someone help me to decided? i will use this camera as my first stepping  stone to  more pro photographer

any comment will be very appreciated
 
Avatar for sinnersaintjohn sinnersaintjohn (6:29 PM, December 28, 2011)
@Jordan. Agreed. Please don't think I was talking trash about Sony, I apologize if that was how I came across. You have probably seen the side by side comparison here at Snapsort so you know that for all intents and purposes these cameras could have been marked with equal scores. It was very close overall. However, I gave Nikon the nod only after a ton of research, and I was an Olympus and Canon man. So I felt like I was cheating on both companies, but neither offered what I wanted and Sony was slightly (and only slightly) more expensive. That being said I have found Sony overall in their entire product line..tv, bluray, entry level point and shoots, to be quite expensive. So unfortunately I questioned whether I was paying for the name, which I think is realistic. Also, I will agree with you about the lense compatiblities, but Sony offers less of their own brand of lenses (about half as many) as Nikon. I have also had great experience with Nikon binoculars and scopes so I knew that Nikon's primary target market was in the 'field' of vision per se. At my level I am beginning to steer away from autofocus and trying my hand at manual shooting in the RAW. So either camera would have suited me fine. My hope is that one day we'll both be looking at our photos in a photography magazine or book, and maybe even getting a check for it now and then! Good luck and Happy shooting! 
 
SASQUATCH (4:03 PM, December 28, 2011)
Incredible camera, I returned my Sony NEX-5N for this camera, 18-55 & 55-300 lenses, way more camera than the NEX-5N, fits like a glove compared to the NEX.
 
Jordan (7:10 PM, December 27, 2011)
@sinnersaintjohn, I've been shooting for about 4 years now and am a Sony d-slr enthusiast. I chose to purchase Sony's a580 over the d5100 a half year ago and am just here to say that Sony deserves more credit. They actually acquired Konica Minolta, so the fantastic lenses from the reputable company are able to be used on my Sony, namely the sharp as hell Maxxum 50mm f1.7 that I've been using since day one. Don't forget the a580's sensor shift stabilization, built-in focus motor, HDR and Panoramic capabilities, incredible battery life, max ISO of 12800, and 7fps continuous shot.

But for the most part I agree. The D5100 AND a580 give you the most bang for your buck for cameras sitting right under pro level.
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (4:08 PM, December 27, 2011)
Glad we could help, happy shooting
 
Avatar for sinnersaintjohn sinnersaintjohn (4:01 PM, December 27, 2011)
Just got the Nikon D5100. I painstakingly searched everywhere I could think of to find the right camera for me. I am an intermediate hobbyist that would love to go pro. I have found SNAPSORT to be one of the most valuable resources on the internet. Thanks for a great site, which helped me decide on this great camera. This camera is PERFECT for the price. If you 'side by side' this camera with any in its price point it is a hands down winner. There is no pricepoint competition. I spoke with customer service for what I would consider the big 4 (Canon, Sony, Nikon, & Olympus) and this Nikon has some serious professional capabilities and interfaces. Canon and Sony could not compete at this price point. Olympus is very focused on their PEN series and although they have one of the best sites, are absent with a contender in this DSLR market. Fuji, Pentax, and Panasonic didn't seem interested in my questions and I find customer service to be extremely important so although Pentax had an offering in the price point their service scared me away. Also Pentax's  K-r and K-x weren't in the same league as the D5100. The Canon T3i only bests the D5100 in video, and not by much. If that is an extremely important feature, consider whether you want to sacrifice your photo quality to get it.  Sony makes great products, but you will pay for it, and then, you have to consider lens offerings in all these brands, so you're back to Nikon and Canon. The The D5100 has an excellent feel, a great interface with intuitive buttons and most of all, is taking great photos. Please do your homework before you buy, I think you'll wind up buying one. Good luck and Great Shooting!
 
Kgs_03 (3:13 PM, December 25, 2011)
I am newbie to DSLR. Have zeroed in on 3 DSLRs which I was able to compare in snapsort. I am unable to decide between Sony SLT-A35K, Sony SLT-A55VL & Nikon D5100.Can someone suggest me the best among the 3. My focus areas are user friendliness & great quality pictures. I would be using it for day-to-day shooting, outings, indoors and events etc.Sony A35 fits into my budget well. But I can stretch my budget a bit if other two are good ones.
 
Waltzinaminor (9:11 PM, December 22, 2011)
This DSLR has very little manual control in video mode. If you want to adjust to a dark there's nothing you can do. I recommend it for photos but definitively not for video.
 
Stewart Davies (8:35 AM, December 11, 2011)
Great site for advice. I will be buying the D5100 for my fianceé this week.
 
Avatar for Satyam Joshi Satyam Joshi (11:44 AM, November 22, 2011)
does VR or canon IS removes the blur from image.....can it save from camera shakes or object shakes(object in motion) ??
 
Avatar for Satyam Joshi Satyam Joshi (11:41 AM, November 22, 2011)
just opposite e-pal!
 
Avatar for Satyam Joshi Satyam Joshi (11:53 AM, November 21, 2011)
there's always No image stabilizer in NIKON dslr's but exists VR..what is that sense...! I think image stabilization is a MUST to any DSLR..so why is this negligence in NIKON...it shd be compulsory feature....! can u explain why NIKON doesn't provide with I.S. with every nikon dslrs..!!
 
MamaJumaPuma (9:34 AM, November 10, 2011)
D5100 OR D90..
PLs explain the disadvantages of this both SLR..:D
 
Mr002 (9:29 AM, November 10, 2011)
Yap..i have seen the comparison..but yet still CONFUSED..:D
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (2:39 PM, November 05, 2011)
Have you seen our comparison of the Nikon D5100 vs D90?