Nikon D5100
Competitors

As well as being compared against other entry-level DSLRs, the Nikon D5100 is also often compared to pro DSLRs and super zooms. The Nikon D5100's top rivals come from Nikon (such as the D3200 and the D5200) and Canon (such as the Rebel T3i and the Rebel T4i)

Generally, some of the advantages of the Nikon D5100 compared to other entry-level DSLR competitors include: it is slightly less noisy at high ISO (1,183 ISO vs 919 ISO), has slightly better image quality (80.0 vs 67.0), records higher quality movies (1080p @ 30fps vs 720p @ 24fps), has slightly more color depth (23.5 bits vs 22.5 bits) and has slightly wider dynamic range (13 EV vs 11.5 EV).

However, on average it takes slightly lower resolution photos (16.1 MP vs 24 MP), has slightly fewer cross-type focus points (1 vs 9) and doesn't have a built-in focus motor.

Nikon D3200 1 year newer $547 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the D3200 (vs the D5100) Much higher true resolution: 24.1 MP vs 16.1 MP Significant disadvantages of the D3200 (vs the D5100) Lacks in-camera HDR Screen does not flip out Worse boost ISO: 12,800 ISO vs 25,600 ISO common strengths of the D3200 and D5100 Relatively low noise at high ISO: 1,131 ISO vs 1,183 ISO Good image quality: 81.0 vs 80.0 Minimal startup delay: 400 ms vs 500 ms
	Compare the D3200 vs the D5100
Canon Rebel T3i similar age $549 (body only) $599 - $649 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the T3i (vs the D5100) Has a built-in focus motor Significant disadvantages of the T3i (vs the D5100) Significantly more noise at high ISO: 793 ISO vs 1,183 ISO Significantly worse image quality: 65.0 vs 80.0 Less dynamic range: 11.5 EV vs 13 EV common strengths of the T3i and D5100 24p support Flip-out screens Many lenses available: 162 lenses vs 169 lenses
	Compare the Canon Rebel T3i vs the Nikon D5100
Nikon D5200 1 year newer $697 (body only) $797 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the D5200 (vs the D5100) Many more focus points: 39 vs 11 Much higher true resolution: 24 MP vs 16.1 MP Significantly more cross-type focus points: 9 vs 1 Significant disadvantages of the D5200 (vs the D5100) None found common strengths of the D5200 and D5100 Relatively low noise at high ISO: 1,284 ISO vs 1,183 ISO Good image quality: 84.0 vs 80.0 24p support
	Compare the D5200 vs the D5100
Nikon D3100 7 months older $447 - $740 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the D3100 (vs the D5100) Thinner: 2.9" vs 3.1" Significant disadvantages of the D3100 (vs the D5100) Significantly worse image quality: 67.0 vs 80.0 Much lower resolution screen: 230k dots vs 920k dots More noise at high ISO: 919 ISO vs 1,183 ISO common strengths of the D3100 and D5100 Minimal startup delay: 400 ms vs 500 ms 24p support Many lenses available: 169 lenses vs 169 lenses
	Compare the D3100 vs the D5100
Nikon D90 2 years older $675 - $899 (body only) $799 - $1,099 18-105mm lens	Significant advantages of the D90 (vs the D5100) Significantly larger viewfinder: 0.63x vs 0.51x Has a built-in focus motor Significant disadvantages of the D90 (vs the D5100) Lower resolution movies: 720p @ 24fps vs 1080p @ 30fps Lacks an external mic jack Lacks in-camera HDR common strengths of the D90 and D5100 Minimal startup delay: 300 ms vs 500 ms 24p support Many lenses available: 169 lenses vs 169 lenses
	Compare the D90 vs the D5100
Canon Rebel T4i 1 year newer $649 - $800 (body only) $719 - $749 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the T4i (vs the D5100) Has a touch screen Significantly more cross-type focus points: 9 vs 1 Faster video autofocus: Phase detection vs Contrast detection Significant disadvantages of the T4i (vs the D5100) Significantly more noise at high ISO: 722 ISO vs 1,183 ISO Much worse image quality: 62.0 vs 80.0 Worse color depth: 21.7 bits vs 23.5 bits common strengths of the T4i and D5100 24p support Flip-out screens Many lenses available: 162 lenses vs 169 lenses
	Compare the Canon 650D / T4i vs the Nikon D5100

Generally, some of the advantages of the Nikon D5100 compared to pro DSLR competitors include: it records higher quality movies (1080p @ 30fps vs none), has slightly wider dynamic range (13 EV vs 11.9 EV), has a screen which flips out, has in-camera HDR and can focus continuously while recording movies.

However, on average it significantly smaller viewfinder (0.51x vs 0.70x), it's body is not weather sealed, doesn't shoot as fast continuously (4 fps vs 6 fps), has a slightly smaller sensor (APS-C 23.6x15.6mm vs full frame 35.9x24.0mm) and has a lower quality type of viewfinder (pentamirror vs pentaprism).

Canon EOS 60D 7 months older $699 - $899 (body only) $999 - $1,279 18-135mm lens	Significant advantages of the 60D (vs the D5100) Weather sealed Has a built-in focus motor Much faster max shutter speed: 1/8000 of a second vs 1/4000 of a second Significant disadvantages of the 60D (vs the D5100) Significantly worse image quality: 66.0 vs 80.0 Less dynamic range: 11.5 EV vs 13 EV Worse color depth: 22.2 bits vs 23.5 bits common strengths of the 60D and D5100 Flip-out screens Many lenses available: 162 lenses vs 169 lenses Fairly small: Professional size 145x106x79 mm vs Prosumer size 127x96x78 mm
	Compare the Canon EOS 60D vs the Nikon D5100
Canon EOS 7D 1 year older $1,499 (body only) $1,699 28-135mm lens	Significant advantages of the 7D (vs the D5100) Weather sealed Significantly less shutter lag: 131 ms vs 273 ms Larger viewfinder: 0.62x vs 0.51x Significant disadvantages of the 7D (vs the D5100) Significantly worse image quality: 66.0 vs 80.0 Less dynamic range: 11.7 EV vs 13 EV Worse color depth: 22 bits vs 23.5 bits common strengths of the 7D and D5100 Many lenses available: 162 lenses vs 169 lenses Fairly small: Professional size 148x111x74 mm vs Prosumer size 127x96x78 mm Inexpensive: $1,499.00 vs $496.95
	Compare the Canon EOS 7D vs the Nikon D5100
Nikon D600 1 year newer $1,997 (body only) $2,397 24-85mm lens	Significant advantages of the D600 (vs the D5100) Much lower noise at high ISO: 2,980 ISO vs 1,183 ISO Significantly better image quality: 94.0 vs 80.0 Significantly larger viewfinder: 0.70x vs 0.51x Significant disadvantages of the D600 (vs the D5100) Screen does not flip out Significantly fewer lenses available: 121 lenses vs 169 lenses Heavier: 850 g vs 560 g common strengths of the D600 and D5100 Focus continuously recording movies Fairly small: Professional size 141x113x82 mm vs Prosumer size 127x96x78 mm Inexpensive: $1,996.95 vs $496.95
	Compare the D600 vs the D5100
Nikon D300 3 years older $1,764 (body only)	Significant advantages of the D300 (vs the D5100) Weather sealed Significantly more focus points: 51 vs 11 Larger viewfinder: 0.62x vs 0.51x Significant disadvantages of the D300 (vs the D5100) Significantly worse image quality: 67.0 vs 80.0 Does not take movies: None vs 1080p @ 30fps Worse color depth: 22.1 bits vs 23.5 bits common strengths of the D300 and D5100 Many lenses available: 169 lenses vs 169 lenses Fairly small: Professional size 147x114x74 mm vs Prosumer size 127x96x78 mm Inexpensive: $1,763.99 vs $496.95
	Compare the D300 vs the D5100
Nikon D700 2 years older $3,400 (body only)	Significant advantages of the D700 (vs the D5100) Significantly lower noise at high ISO: 2,303 ISO vs 1,183 ISO Much larger viewfinder: 0.72x vs 0.51x Weather sealed Significant disadvantages of the D700 (vs the D5100) Does not take movies: None vs 1080p @ 30fps Lacks in-camera HDR Screen does not flip out common strengths of the D700 and D5100 Each has a built-in flash
	Compare the D700 vs the D5100
Canon EOS 5D Mark II 2 years older $2,479 (body only) $2,699 - $3,000 24-105mm lens	Significant advantages of the 5D Mark II (vs the D5100) Much larger viewfinder: 0.71x vs 0.51x Weather sealed Much larger sensor: Full frame 36.0x24.0mm vs APS-C 23.6x15.6mm Significant disadvantages of the 5D Mark II (vs the D5100) Lacks in-camera HDR Screen does not flip out Lacks video autofocus: None vs Contrast detection common strengths of the 5D Mark II and D5100 Fairly small: Professional size 152x114x75 mm vs Prosumer size 127x96x78 mm Inexpensive: $2,069.95 vs $496.95 Popularity: 26,599,987 vs 81,119,650
	Compare the Canon EOS 5D Mark II vs the Nikon D5100

Generally, some of the advantages of the Nikon D5100 compared to super zoom competitors include: it has much better image quality (80.0 vs 47.0), has a slightly higher resolution screen (920k dots vs 461k dots), takes much higher resolution photos (16.1 MP vs 9.7 MP), records movies in 24p and has much more color depth (23.5 bits vs 20.3 bits).

However, on average it doesn't record high-speed movies (none vs 240 fps), doesn't have image stabilization (none vs lens), doesn't shoot as fast continuously (4 fps vs 13 fps), lacks a built in panoramas and doesn't take 3D photos.

Canon PowerShot SX50 HS 1 year newer $429 - $450	Significant advantages of the PowerShot SX50 HS (vs the D5100) Image stabilization: Lens vs None Records high-speed movies: 240 fps vs None Shoots significantly faster: 13 fps vs 4 fps Significant disadvantages of the PowerShot SX50 HS (vs the D5100) Much smaller sensor: 1/2.3" 6.2x4.6mm vs APS-C 23.6x15.6mm Much more noise at high ISO: 179 ISO vs 1,183 ISO Much worse image quality: 47.0 vs 80.0 common strengths of the PowerShot SX50 HS and D5100 Good image quality: 47.0 vs 80.0 Relatively low noise at high ISO: 179 ISO vs 1,183 ISO Both support 24p, which is uncommon in cameras similar to these
	Compare the Canon PowerShot SX50 HS vs the Nikon D5100
Nikon Coolpix P510 10 months newer $339 - $350	Significant advantages of the P510 (vs the D5100) Image stabilization: Lens vs None Can create panoramas in-camera Takes 3D photos Significant disadvantages of the P510 (vs the D5100) Much smaller sensor: 1/2.3" 6.2x4.6mm vs APS-C 23.6x15.6mm Slower autofocus: Contrast detection vs Phase detection Much lower true resolution: 9.7 MP vs 16.1 MP common strengths of the P510 and D5100 Very high resolution screens: 921k dots vs 920k dots Flip-out screens In-camera HDR
	Compare the Coolpix P510 vs the D5100