Nikon D5100
Competitors

As well as being compared against other entry-level DSLRs, the Nikon D5100 is also often compared to pro DSLRs, mirrorless and super zooms. The Nikon D5100's top rivals come from Canon (such as the Rebel T3i and the Rebel T2i) and Nikon (such as the D3200 and the D3100)

Generally, some of the advantages of the Nikon D5100 compared to other entry-level DSLR competitors include: it is significantly less noisy at high ISO (1,183 ISO vs 919 ISO), has significantly better image quality (80.0 vs 67.0), has slightly more color depth (23.5 bits vs 22.5 bits), has slightly wider dynamic range (13 EV vs 11.5 EV) and has a screen which flips out.

However, on average it slightly smaller viewfinder (0.51x vs 0.62x), has slightly fewer focus points (11 vs 39), has slightly fewer cross-type focus points (1 vs 9), doesn't have a built-in focus motor and is thicker (3.1" vs 2.9").

Canon Rebel T3i similar age $619 - $700 (body only) $745 - $1,000 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 Much worse image quality: 65.0 vs 80.0 Less dynamic range: 11.5 EV vs 13 EV common strengths of the T3i and D5100 Both shoot high resolution HD movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs 1080p @ 30fps High resolution screens: 1,040k dots vs 920k dots Larger than average screens: 3.0" vs 3.0"
	Compare the Canon Rebel T3i vs the Nikon D5100
Nikon D3200 1 year newer $699 - $700 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) Screen does not flip out Lacks in-camera HDR Worse boost ISO: 12,800 ISO vs 25,600 ISO common strengths of the D3200 and D5100 Both shoot high resolution HD movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs 1080p @ 30fps High resolution screens: 921k dots vs 920k dots Larger than average screens: 3.0" vs 3.0"
	Compare the D3200 vs the D5100
Nikon D3100 7 months older $500 - $547 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the D3100 (vs the D5100) None found Significant disadvantages of the D3100 (vs the D5100) Significantly worse image quality: 67.0 vs 80.0 Significantly more noise at high ISO: 919 ISO vs 1,183 ISO Less dynamic range: 11.3 EV vs 13 EV common strengths of the D3100 and D5100 Full HD (1080p) video: 1080p @ 24fps vs 1080p @ 30fps Larger than average screens: 3.0" vs 3.0" 24p support
	Compare the D3100 vs the D5100
Nikon D90 2 years older $830 - $897 (body only) $1,047 55-200mm lens	Significant advantages of the D90 (vs the D5100) Significantly larger viewfinder: 0.63x vs 0.51x Less shutter lag: 208 ms vs 273 ms Has a built-in focus motor Significant disadvantages of the D90 (vs the D5100) More noise at high ISO: 977 ISO vs 1,183 ISO Worse image quality: 73.0 vs 80.0 Lower resolution movies: 720p @ 24fps vs 1080p @ 30fps common strengths of the D90 and D5100 Relatively low noise at high ISO: 977 ISO vs 1,183 ISO Good dynamic range: 12.5 EV vs 13 EV High resolution screens: 930k dots vs 920k dots
	Compare the D90 vs the D5100
Nikon D7000 6 months older $1,000 - $1,197 (body only) $1,100 55-200mm lens	Significant advantages of the D7000 (vs the D5100) Many more focus points: 39 vs 11 Weather sealed Many more cross-type focus points: 9 vs 1 Significant disadvantages of the D7000 (vs the D5100) Screen does not flip out Lacks in-camera HDR Significantly heavier: 780 g vs 560 g common strengths of the D7000 and D5100 Very low noise at high ISO: 1,167 ISO vs 1,183 ISO Good image quality: 80.0 vs 80.0 Good dynamic range: 13.9 EV vs 13 EV
	Compare the D7000 vs the D5100
Canon Rebel T2i 1 year older $544 - $949 (body only) $649 - $867 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the T2i (vs the D5100) Has a built-in focus motor Significantly smaller: Prosumer size 129x98x62 mm vs Prosumer size 127x96x78 mm Much thinner: 2.4" vs 3.1" Significant disadvantages of the T2i (vs the D5100) Significantly more noise at high ISO: 784 ISO vs 1,183 ISO Much worse image quality: 66.0 vs 80.0 Less dynamic range: 11.5 EV vs 13 EV common strengths of the T2i and D5100 Both shoot high resolution HD movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs 1080p @ 30fps High resolution screens: 1,040k dots vs 920k dots Larger than average screens: 3.0" vs 3.0"
	Compare the Canon EOS Rebel T2i vs the Nikon D5100

Generally, some of the advantages of the Nikon D5100 compared to pro DSLR competitors include: it has slightly better image quality (80.0 vs 67.0), has slightly more color depth (23.5 bits vs 22.2 bits), has slightly wider dynamic range (13 EV vs 11.9 EV), has a screen which flips out and has in-camera HDR.

However, on average it significantly smaller viewfinder (0.51x vs 0.71x), takes slightly lower resolution photos (16.1 MP vs 21 MP), it's body is not weather sealed, 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 $848 - $1,304 (body only) $1,177 - $1,342 18-135mm lens	Significant advantages of the 60D (vs the D5100) 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 $1,549 - $1,821 (body only) $1,590 - $1,849 18-135mm 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 Worse color depth: 22 bits vs 23.5 bits Less dynamic range: 11.7 EV vs 13 EV 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 Supports RAW
	Compare the Canon EOS 7D vs the Nikon D5100
Nikon D800 10 months newer $2,999 - $3,000 (body only)	Significant advantages of the D800 (vs the D5100) Much lower noise at high ISO: 2,853 ISO vs 1,183 ISO Significantly better image quality: 95.0 vs 80.0 Much higher true resolution: 36.2 MP vs 16.1 MP Significant disadvantages of the D800 (vs the D5100) Screen does not flip out Significantly fewer lenses available: 121 lenses vs 169 lenses Significantly larger: Large 146x123x82 mm vs Prosumer size 127x96x78 mm common strengths of the D800 and D5100 Good dynamic range: 14.4 EV vs 13 EV Focus continuously recording movies In-camera HDR
	Compare the D800 vs the D5100
Nikon D700 2 years older $2,949 (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 Much larger sensor: Full frame 36.0x24.0mm vs APS-C 23.6x15.6mm Significant disadvantages of the D700 (vs the D5100) Does not take movies: None vs 1080p @ 30fps Screen does not flip out Lacks in-camera HDR common strengths of the D700 and D5100 Fairly small: Large 147x123x77 mm vs Prosumer size 127x96x78 mm Supports RAW Inexpensive: $2,949.00 vs $499.99
	Compare the D700 vs the D5100
Nikon D300 3 years older $2,000 (body only)	Significant advantages of the D300 (vs the D5100) Weather sealed Many 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 Supports RAW
	Compare the D300 vs the D5100
Canon EOS 5D Mark II 2 years older $2,198 (body only) $2,898 - $2,999 24-105mm lens	Significant advantages of the 5D Mark II (vs the D5100) Much larger viewfinder: 0.71x vs 0.51x Much larger sensor: Full frame 36.0x24.0mm vs APS-C 23.6x15.6mm Weather sealed Significant disadvantages of the 5D Mark II (vs the D5100) Screen does not flip out Lacks in-camera HDR 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 Supports RAW Light weight: 850 g vs 560 g
	Compare the Canon EOS 5D Mark II vs the Nikon D5100

Generally, some of the advantages of the Nikon D5100 compared to mirrorless interchangeable-lens competitors include: it is significantly less noisy at high ISO (1,183 ISO vs 667 ISO), has slightly better image quality (80.0 vs 56.0), has a slightly higher resolution screen (920k dots vs 460k dots), has higher quality type of viewfinder (pentamirror vs none) and has slightly more color depth (23.5 bits vs 21.5 bits).

However, on average it doesn't record high-speed movies (none vs 1,200 fps), slightly lower maximum light sensitivity (6,400 ISO vs 12,800 ISO), doesn't have a touch screen, doesn't shoot as fast continuously (4 fps vs 60 fps) and lacks a built in panoramas.

Sony NEX-5N 4 months newer $598 - $600 (body only) $698 - $700 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the NEX-5N (vs the D5100) Has a built-in focus motor Better maximum light sensitivity: 25,600 ISO vs 6,400 ISO Much smaller: Compact 111x59x38 mm vs Prosumer size 127x96x78 mm Significant disadvantages of the NEX-5N (vs the D5100) Much fewer lenses available: 8 lenses vs 169 lenses Much more startup delay: 1900 ms vs 500 ms No viewfinder: None vs Pentamirror common strengths of the NEX-5N and D5100 Relatively low noise at high ISO: 1,079 ISO vs 1,183 ISO Good image quality: 77.0 vs 80.0 Full HD (1080p) video: 1080p @ 60fps vs 1080p @ 30fps
	Compare the Sony NEX-5N vs the Nikon D5100
Sony NEX-7 4 months newer $1,200 (body only) $1,350 - $1,499 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the NEX-7 (vs the D5100) Has a built-in focus motor Much higher true resolution: 24 MP vs 16.1 MP Much smaller: Compact 111x59x38 mm vs Prosumer size 127x96x78 mm Significant disadvantages of the NEX-7 (vs the D5100) Much fewer lenses available: 8 lenses vs 169 lenses Slower autofocus: Contrast detection vs Phase detection Much shorter battery life: 430 shots vs 660 shots common strengths of the NEX-7 and D5100 Relatively low noise at high ISO: 1,016 ISO vs 1,183 ISO Extremely good image quality: 81.0 vs 80.0 Full HD (1080p) video: 1080p @ 60fps vs 1080p @ 30fps
	Compare the Sony NEX-7 vs the Nikon D5100
Nikon 1 J1 5 months newer $547 10-30mm lens	Significant advantages of the J1 (vs the D5100) Records high-speed movies: 1,200 fps vs None Has a built-in focus motor Shoots much faster: 60 fps vs 4 fps Significant disadvantages of the J1 (vs the D5100) Much more noise at high ISO: 372 ISO vs 1,183 ISO Much fewer lenses available: 4 lenses vs 169 lenses Much shorter battery life: 230 shots vs 660 shots common strengths of the J1 and D5100 Both shoot high resolution HD movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs 1080p @ 30fps Both use faster phase detection autofocus which is uncommon: Phase detection vs Phase detection Focus continuously recording movies
	Compare the 1 J1 vs the D5100
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 similar age $500 (body only) $700 14-42mm lens	Significant advantages of the DMC-G3 (vs the D5100) Has a built-in focus motor Has a touch screen Takes 3D photos Significant disadvantages of the DMC-G3 (vs the D5100) Much fewer lenses available: 26 lenses vs 169 lenses Significantly more noise at high ISO: 667 ISO vs 1,183 ISO Much worse image quality: 56.0 vs 80.0 common strengths of the DMC-G3 and D5100 Both shoot high resolution HD movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs 1080p @ 30fps Viewfinders: Digital vs Pentamirror Flip-out screens
	Compare the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 vs the Nikon D5100
Sony Alpha NEX-5 10 months older $569 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the NEX-5 (vs the D5100) Has a built-in focus motor Much smaller: Compact 111x59x38 mm vs Prosumer size 127x96x78 mm Can create panoramas in-camera Significant disadvantages of the NEX-5 (vs the D5100) Much fewer lenses available: 8 lenses vs 169 lenses Many fewer cross-type focus points: 0 vs 1 No viewfinder: None vs Pentamirror common strengths of the NEX-5 and D5100 Good image quality: 69.0 vs 80.0 Both shoot high resolution HD movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs 1080p @ 30fps High resolution screens: 920k dots vs 920k dots
	Compare the Sony Alpha NEX-5 vs the Nikon D5100

Generally, some of the advantages of the Nikon D5100 compared to super zoom competitors include: it has a slightly larger screen (3.0" vs 2.7"), has a significantly higher resolution screen (920k dots vs 230k dots), is slightly smaller (prosumer size 127x96x78 mm vs professional size 123x92x108 mm), takes much higher resolution photos (16.1 MP vs 9.7 MP) and significantly higher maximum light sensitivity (6,400 ISO vs 3,200 ISO).

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 10.3 fps), lacks a built in panoramas and doesn't take 3D photos.

Nikon Coolpix P510 10 months newer $397 - $400	Significant advantages of the P510 (vs the D5100) Image stabilization: Lens vs None Records high-speed movies: 240 fps vs None 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 Much lower true resolution: 9.7 MP vs 16.1 MP Lacks an external mic jack common strengths of the P510 and D5100 Both shoot high resolution HD movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs 1080p @ 30fps Very high resolution screens: 921k dots vs 920k dots Flip-out screens
	Compare the Coolpix P510 vs the D5100
Canon Powershot SX40 5 months newer $347 - $380	Significant advantages of the SX40 (vs the D5100) Image stabilization: Lens vs None Records high-speed movies: 240 fps vs None Shoots significantly faster: 10.3 fps vs 4 fps Significant disadvantages of the SX40 (vs the D5100) Much smaller sensor: 1/2.3" 6.2x4.6mm vs APS-C 23.6x15.6mm Much lower true resolution: 9.7 MP vs 16.1 MP Lacks an external mic jack common strengths of the SX40 and D5100 Full HD (1080p) video: 1080p @ 24fps vs 1080p @ 30fps Both support 24p, which is uncommon in cameras similar to these Flip-out screens
	Compare the Canon Powershot SX40 vs the Nikon D5100