Nikon D5100

APS-C, 16.1 MP, 3.0"
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        Summary Nikon D5100

        Prices Price
        Body only
        $334
        With 18-55mm lens
        $847
        all D5100 prices
        Score Snapsort rank
        Within its price range
        #n/a of 1
        Among similar cameras
        #n/a of 13
        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 Nikon D5100 lenses at LensHero
        Nikon D5100Nikon D5100

        Replacement

        Nikon has replaced the D5100 with the D5200.

        Nikon D5200
        Nikon D5200 announced October, 2012
        Movie format Lower frame rate movies
        True resolution Much higher true resolution
        Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO

        Compare the new Nikon D5200 vs the D5100

        reviewsWhat are people saying about the D5100

        "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
        "Judged on its own merits the D5100 is a great camera, but we're concerned that an enthusiastic beginner might outgrow it faster than some of the competition."
        dpreview.com | talking about the camera's overall-performance
        "Unintimidating interface, but with plenty of manual control."
        dpreview.com | talking about the camera's button-layout

        Videos

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

        Canon EOS 600D (T3i) vs Nikon D5100 Review
        • Review
        • Pro

        Nikon D5100 Basic Guide

        Nikon D5100 Basic Guide
        • Tutorial
        • Photography

        Nikon D5100 Hands-on Review

        Nikon D5100 Hands-on Review
        • Review
        • Preview
        • Ergonomics
        • Image quality

        Pros

        Report a correction

        The Nikon D5100 vs other recent entry-level DSLRs

        Screen flips out Flip-out screen Help
        Great for movies
        Lens availability More lenses available Help
        205 lenses
        Lowest price Inexpensive Help
        $334.09
        Movie continuous focus Movie continuous focus Help
        Makes it easy to get in-focus movies
        External mic jack External mic jack Help
        Record higher quality audio with a microphone

        Cons

        Report a correction

        The Nikon D5100 vs other recent entry-level DSLRs

        Viewfinder size Small viewfinder Help
        0.51x
        Light sensitivity Poor maximum light sensitivity Help
        6,400 ISO
        Touch screen No touch screen Help
        More buttons
        Focus points Fewer focus points Help
        11
        Announced Old Help
        April, 2011
        Viewfinder coverage Below average viewfinder coverage Help
        95%
        GPS No GPS Help
        Missing geo-tagging
        Thickness Thick Help
        3.1"
        Movie format Full HD Help
        1080p @ 30fps
        Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
        Risk of blur
        True resolution Lower true resolution Help
        16.1 MP
        Weather sealed No weather sealing Help
        Need to shelter it from weather
        Continuous shooting Slow continuous shooting Help
        4 fps
        Shutter lag Longer shutter lag Help
        273 ms shutter lag
        Cross type focus points Fewer cross-type focus points Help
        1
        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

        Nikon D5100
        D5100
        Nikon

        Report a correction

        Showing 25 comments

        mithu (10:17 AM, February 06, 2015)
        I would like to buy DSLR.which one better Nikon D3200 or D5100 or canon 600D? and why?
         
        mithu (10:13 AM, February 06, 2015)
        I would like to buy DSLR . which one better Nikon D3200 or D5100 Or Canon 600d?
         
        Avatar for wavesummit wavesummit (10:47 PM, July 18, 2014)
        I just just assisted a wedding on the weekend. I've had the d5100 for two years now and with my sigma 30mm 1.4 I had well over 1000 shots (raw), no battery grip either.
         
        Avatar for Khaled Hassan Khaled Hassan (3:19 PM, May 02, 2014)
        Youtube contains lot of videos for D5100 :)
         
        Avatar for VK VK (1:28 PM, March 07, 2014)
        Hi,

        I am using Nikon P500 since last 3 years and planning to upgrade to a DSLR. This will be my first ever DSLR.

        My Questions are :-

        1. Which is the best entry level DSLR with Budget below 30K ?

        2. Preferably Made in Japan (not sure if it makes sense) ? Where can I get it in India (preferably in Pune)

        3. Nikon or Canon ?

        4. What kind of lens?

        5. I will use it for atleast next 10 years. So please suggest which will be the best one in my budget

        6. I am an amateur photographer. But have keen interest in photography. I want to grow and learn better photography, so upgrading to dslr. Also planning to join some professional photography school once I get a new camera.

        Thanks in advance!
        Best Regards
         
        Avatar for M.Ismail Mohamed M.Ismail Mohamed (9:51 PM, November 24, 2013)
        i cant take shots at night what i do ...i have nikon d5100
         
        Avatar for Himanshu Gupta Himanshu Gupta (5:35 AM, October 16, 2013)
        Hello everyone,
        What will be the best lens combination (within budget) with Nikon D5100 for wildlife photography?
         
        Avatar for Pepe Le Pew Pepe Le Pew (11:05 PM, September 26, 2013)
        Pentax K-30
         
        Dany (8:06 PM, July 28, 2013)
        I absolutely love this site but I have a question for you snapshot.

        I have a Nikon coolpix S3100 and I was looking at Nikon D5100 because I want to get into photography and I was wondering if this would the camera to start off with, since I already have my Nikon coolpix S3100.
         
        Jay (1:42 AM, July 22, 2013)
        I have a d5100 and I love it! but does anyone know any sources or websites that could help me figure out more techniques, tricks, ways to use the camera?
         
        Avatar for Alex Deschamps Alex Deschamps (1:39 AM, June 13, 2013)
        Should I take D3100 with one lens 50-200 mm OR(WHERE) D5100 with the basic lens???
         
        lilprince (0:46 PM, May 30, 2013)
        which is better canon 600d or nikon 5100 for beginner
         
        Avatar for Lagos Gradnja Lagos Gradnja (11:17 AM, March 01, 2013)
        D5100!
         
        Avatar for Gus Kalashnikov Gus Kalashnikov (8:48 AM, February 16, 2013)
        i have it
         
        Avatar for Pawan Sharma Pawan Sharma (1:15 AM, January 18, 2013)
        great camera, only missing dedicated buttons for frequently used settings
         
        Francisco (9:27 PM, November 22, 2012)
        Which ir better D5100 or T4i ?
         
        Avatar for Aaditya Kalia Aaditya Kalia (4:48 PM, June 17, 2012)
        whatz the price right now!! i think 550$??
         
        Avatar for Alaa AlSayed Alaa AlSayed (4:51 AM, June 03, 2012)
        I think one way around it is to use an external microphone. I also think it's possible to edit the video and trim out the frequencies of the audio the lens make, but I haven't given it a shot =).
         
        Avatar for Kamal Gaur Kamal Gaur (0:00 AM, June 03, 2012)
        The D5100, unfortunately, does make the autofocus sound which gets captured when you're shooting video. I wish there was a way around it, but I'm not aware of any.
         
        Avatar for Kamal Gaur Kamal Gaur (11:57 PM, June 02, 2012)
        I own a D5100 which came with the 18-55mm lens. I also purchased the 35mm f/1.8G and I must say, that it's become my go-to lens for almost everything I shoot. Admittedly, I don't shoot a lot of landscapes, but for everything else (parties, outings, portraits, low light, etc), the 35mm surpasses what you would expect from any normal camera or lens. I highly recommend it - it's an investment that will last you a lifetime.
         
        diabetologist (3:01 AM, May 24, 2012)

        i have been using point and shoot and now i am ready to upgrade.i have a number of questions.a. shud i go for dslr or try mirrorless. my photography expert friend said ......dslrb. i was disappointed to read that video shooting is not that good in dslr coz video continuous auto focus is a problem....and audio might catch the lens focusing noise.c. now amongst dslr, i have to decide between d3200 and d5100. both cost same. difference is d3200 is 20% lighter in weight, has expeed 3, 24 mpixels, wifi, guide mode and so on, while d5100 is time tested, it has auto bracketing, screen tilts and adjusts and so on. which one to go for.what am i looking for?well....i was looking for a device to shoot both video and pics.....but after reading that videos wont be that great.....nw i am looking for nice pics.....i have a research mind....and i tend to like the idea of bracketing. this gives me more chances of getting the perfect shot coz i wud be getting 3 shots. now right here i wish to clarify.....is it dire necessity to have a tripod to shoot those 3 pics....i am told ....all 3 shud be taken without shaking camera....i wont use tripod......but i can try to keep hand stable. like i said...i did like the idea of having one over and under exposed shot. now the software that comes with the nikon....will it be enough to do the editing for final pic on laptop or will i have to purchase another software.in real life...is bracketing done frequently...or no. 
        what i like in d3200 is light weight, guide mode and so on.....but i dont know.....if d5100 is technologically more advanced. 
        last thought.....d3200 is recently launched while d5100 is old and therefore d5200 is expected. but i guess it will be significantly more than d5200......may be it will be too costly for me. so lets stick to 700usd mark and decide between d3200 and d5100. 
        kindly guide.
        thx
        k
         
        Yusufbelen (0:36 PM, May 19, 2012)
        most significant reason if you are  still photographer is the sensor image quality. sensor quality rating on d5100 is 80 whereas it is 60 in 600d
         
        Yusufbelen (0:27 PM, May 19, 2012)
        IS not on the body but on the lens that you buy. so there is no problem if you buy a lens with IS. in nikon IS is called VR so make sure when you buy your camera, it has a VR kitlens withhin.
         
        Yusufbelen (0:23 PM, May 19, 2012)
        Not only consider how much fps , but also consider the "buffer". I mean that once buffer is filled after lets say taking 20 raw or (raw+fine jpeg) photos, buffer will be full therefore your speed will go 1 fps even.  if you compare d5100 and canon 550d, nikon has more buffer. see the video http://youtu.be/zsLsOjeRkAg . starting from 7:00 you can see the action photo performance as well as buffer performance.

        Regards,
        Yusuf 
         
        guest (9:01 AM, May 19, 2012)
        Hi thanks for the great site.  Based on your reviews I am interested in the Nikon D5100 as an entry level DSLR.  My only concern is that it only offers 4fps compared to 10fps or more offered by the sony models.  A major use for the camera will be taking surfing pictures and other sport related activities.  Be grateful for snapshort's views on whether the Nikon D5100 would still do a good job of taking those types photos or whether we would be better off with a camera that offers a higher frame per second feature.  Many thanks.