Canon EOS
600D
 vs
Nikon
D5100

Updated (October, 2012): Compare the Canon EOS 650D vs Nikon D5200 Hands-on P

Nikon D5100

77

  
Canon EOS 600D

59

  
Winner

Nikon D5100

Reasons to buy the Nikon D5100

Low light performance
 Low noise at high ISO
1,183 ISO
Overall image quality
 Great image quality
80.0
Movie format
 Full HD
1080p @ 30fps
Dynamic range
 Wide dynamic range
13 EV
Screen flips out
 Flip-out screen
Great for movies
Sensor size
 Large sensor
APS-C 23.6x15.6mm
 
Runner-up

Canon EOS 600D

Reasons to buy the Canon EOS 600D

Movie format
 Full HD
1080p @ 30fps
Screen resolution
 High resolution screen
1,040k dots
Screen flips out
 Flip-out screen
Great for movies
External mic jack
 External mic jack
Record higher quality audio with a microphone
Badge
 Built-in focus motor
Autofocuses with more lenses
 

differences

Advantages of the Canon 600D
Screen resolution Higher resolution screen 1,040k dots vs 920k dots
Help
 More than 10% higher resolution screen
Lens focus motor Has a built-in focus motor Yes vs No
Help
 Autofocuses with all autofocus lenses
True resolution Higher true resolution 17.9 MP vs 16.1 MP
Help
 Capture more than 10% more detail in your photos
Viewfinder size Slightly larger viewfinder 0.53x vs 0.51x
Help
 Around 10% larger viewfinder
Lowest price Slightly cheaper $469.99 vs $496.95
Help
 The best price we've seen is $27 cheaper (around 10% less)
Canon EOS 600D Learn more about
the Canon 600D

Advantages of the Nikon D5100
Low light performance Significantly lower noise at high ISO 1,183 ISO vs 793 ISO
Help
 The D5100 has a slight edge (0.6 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
Overall image quality Significantly better image quality 80.0 vs 65.0
Help
 More than 20% better image quality
Dynamic range More dynamic range 13 EV vs 11.5 EV
Help
 1.5 f-stops more dynamic range
HDR Has in-camera HDR Yes vs No
Help
 Combines multiple exposures to capture high dynamic range
Sensor size Much larger sensor APS-C 23.6x15.6mm vs APS-C 22.3x14.9mm
Help
 More than 10% larger sensor
Autofocus Video autofocus Contrast detection vs None
Help
 Automatically focuses shooting video
Startup delay Significantly less startup delay 500 ms vs 1500 ms
Help
 3x less delay when turning on
Color depth Better color depth 23.5 bits vs 22.1 bits
Help
 Distinguishes 1.4 more bits of color
Battery life Longer battery life 660 shots vs 440 shots
Help
 50% more shots per battery charge
Light sensitivity (boost) Better boost ISO 25,600 ISO vs 12,800 ISO
Help
 The D5100's boost ISO is 1 f-stop better
Size Smaller 127x96x78 mm vs 133x99x79 mm
Help
 Around 10% smaller
Lens availability Slightly more lenses available 169 lenses vs 162 lenses
Help
 Almost the same
Focus points Slightly more focus points 11 vs 9
Help
 Set focus accurately within the frame
Continuous shooting Shoots slightly faster 4 fps vs 3.7 fps
Help
 Around 10% faster continuous shooting
Shutter lag Slightly less shutter lag 273 ms vs 283 ms
Help
 Almost the same
Thickness Slightly thinner 3.1" vs 3.1"
Help
 Almost the same
Nikon D5100 Learn more about
the Nikon D5100
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent entry-level DSLRs, and ignoring price

Canon EOS 600D Canon EOS 600D
59 vs 77
Explain scores
Nikon D5100 Nikon D5100
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Nikon D5100.

similarities

Compared to recent entry-level DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Screen flips out Flip-out screens Help
Great for movies
Lens availability Many lenses available Help
600D:162 lenses
D5100:169 lenses
Supports 24p 24p support Help
For that film look
Lowest price Inexpensive Help
600D:$469.99
D5100:$496.95
Fastest shutter speed Slow max shutter speed Help
1/4000 of a second
Viewfinder coverage Below average viewfinder coverage Help
95%
Cross type focus points Few cross-type focus points Help
1
Light sensitivity Poor maximum light sensitivity Help
6,400 ISO
Continuous shooting Slow continuous shooting Help
600D:3.7 fps
D5100:4 fps
Panorama Neither camera stitches together panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
Shutter lag Significant shutter lag Help
600D:283 ms
D5100:273 ms
Autofocus Lacks video autofocus Help
600D:None
D5100:Contrast detection
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur
3D Neither camera can take 3D photos Help
No 3d support
Viewfinder size Below average viewfinder size Help
600D:0.53x
D5100:0.51x
Weather sealed Neither is weather sealed Help
Need to shelter it from weather

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon D3200

Nikon D3200

Entry-level DSLR

$547 with 18-55mm lens
True resolution Takes significantly higher resolution photos
Size Is slightly smaller
Screen flips out Doesn't have a screen which flips out
Compare the D3200 vs the EOS 600D
Compare the D3200 vs the D5100
Nikon D3100

Nikon D3100

Entry-level DSLR

$447 - $740 with 18-55mm lens
Size Is slightly smaller
Thickness Is thinner
External mic jack Lacks and external mic jack
Screen flips out Doesn't have a screen which flips out
Compare the D3100 vs the EOS 600D
Compare the D3100 vs the D5100
Canon EOS 60D

Canon EOS 60D

Pro DSLR

$699 - $899 body only

$999 - $1,279 with 18-135mm lens
Viewfinder size Slightly larger viewfinder
Weather sealed Has a weather sealed body
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Weight Is significantly heavier
Compare the EOS 60D vs the EOS 600D
Compare the EOS 60D vs the D5100
Canon EOS 650D

Canon EOS 650D

Entry-level DSLR

$580 - $797 body only

$639 - $1,144 with 18-55mm lens
Light sensitivity Slightly higher maximum light sensitivity
Touch screen Has a touch screen
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Size Is slightly larger
Compare the EOS 650D vs the EOS 600D
Compare the EOS 650D vs the D5100
Canon EOS 1100D

Canon EOS 1100D

Entry-level DSLR

$436 - $445 body only

$448 - $818 with 18-55mm lens
Shutter lag Has much less shutter lag
Battery life Has a slightly longer battery life
Sensor cleaning Lacks a self cleaning sensor
Size Is slightly larger
Compare the EOS 1100D vs the EOS 600D
Compare the EOS 1100D vs the D5100
Canon EOS 550D

Canon EOS 550D

Entry-level DSLR

$613 body only

$705 with 18-55mm lens
Size Is much smaller
Thickness Is thinner
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Screen flips out Doesn't have a screen which flips out
Compare the EOS 550D vs the EOS 600D
Compare the EOS 550D vs the D5100
Nikon D90

Nikon D90

Entry-level DSLR

$675 - $899 body only

$799 - $1,099 with 18-105mm lens
Viewfinder size Significantly larger viewfinder
Viewfinder Has higher quality type of viewfinder
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Weight Is significantly heavier
Compare the D90 vs the EOS 600D
Compare the D90 vs the D5100

Canon EOS 600D Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Canon EOS 600D.

Nikon D5100 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Nikon D5100.

appearance

Canon EOS 600D Nikon D5100
Canon EOS 600D Nikon D5100
Canon EOS 600D Nikon D5100

discussion

Showing 25 comments

Dinosaursaur (7:56 AM, April 04, 2013)
I personally chose the D5100. But before I bough it of course I checked some reviews and the very best thing I considered it are the lenses. I found better lenses from Nikon than Canon that for me a very big thing to consider. Since you won't buy only the camera but also it's system. But true I also like the 600D because it's bigger (looks more professional XD) and it has autofocus motor and larger camera strap. :P
 
Sickcunt (10:08 AM, February 13, 2013)
I agree,where are the 60fps of the canon vs the 30fps of the nikon in video?
 
Beast (2:09 PM, January 30, 2013)
If he is color blind he can't even be a photographer. Hahaha
 
Hi (2:08 PM, January 30, 2013)
Are you kidding me D7000 and D300s is a dx camera and they are able to use fx lens. And to be hornets with you I am using a D7000 and have 2fx lens and 1dx lens. Read more on photography before coming out and give your opinion.
 
Beast (2:04 PM, January 30, 2013)
The comparison is black and white cant you see? Are you color blind??? Hahahaha !!!!
 
Avatar for Cathrine Cathrine (5:55 PM, January 29, 2013)
The conclusion is canon 600D better or Nikon D5100 for the overall :) thanks
 
Avatar for Melanie Melanie (7:17 AM, January 29, 2013)
I have read all your comments but still confused which one to buy!! Actually i'm a beginner and i can't take my decision!! Please help! Which one should i choose as a beginner??
 
BAGUS (11:06 AM, November 28, 2012)
i love photograpy than vodeograpy ,, so, I choose Nikon d5100 for my first beginner camera ^.^
 
Avatar for Him Rekhi Him Rekhi (11:43 AM, September 05, 2012)
Sayed Mohamed is right ... there is no use for Nikon vs Canon wars. One should weigh all the pros & cons but at the end of day it is your personal preference that matters. I researched quite a bit & although 60% reviewers including snapsort put Nikon D5100 ahead of Canon 600D but when I tested them in store, to me Canon outperformed Nikon. (& fact of matter is that I went to store more inclined towards Nikon.)


Factors which made me consider Canon over Nikon:


1. Better Grip & feel. Believe it or not this is a big factor. If you don't like the grip or feel then chances are that you will not enjoy your DSLR no matter good it is. I personally found that Canon 600D had a better grip. Due to Nikon being smaller & uncomfortable to my hands I had a difficult time producing good shots from Nikon. But maybe to others Nikon might have better grip.


2. The colors & contrast produced by Canon, IMHO, seemed better to my eyes till ISO 3200. I know what DP review & DXO marks says but I rather like to go by what my senses tell me. Nikon will have edge over Canon in handling chromatic aberrations, white balance but this something I don't care much about as I am not going professional, secondly quite a bit of things get sorted by better lens & better technique which I am yet to learn.


3. I personally found its menu options more intuitive & easy to go around.


You will see I never even mentioned videography because to be honest, I actually loved Nikon D5100 video features more & its a shame that Canon doesn't have them especially selective coloring applied in videos.


So, my advice to all the would be DSLR purchasers is that go to the store & feel the product, have a demo, shoot some pics & videos & then make up your mind. You will not go wrong with either Canon 600D or Nikon D5100 because honestly quality difference is not as much as snapsort or DXO are making out to be.
 
Sayed Mohamed (4:45 PM, September 03, 2012)
Please do stop your nikon - canon war and note that not the equipment takes the photo, but the man behind it. Framing, Composition, Angle of view, Creativity
and of course the knowledge in post processing makes a photo 'WOW'. Nowadays, differences among dslrs are minimal. So stop the brand war and try to snap good photo. However, I've one question to snapsort, that you mentioned Canon EOS 600D has built-in focus motor in your comparison. I think no Canon camera has built-in focus motor, but all their lenses have it. Please verify this.
 
Allukaz (9:41 AM, July 03, 2012)
Maybe this site could provide us one real life sample of each camera instead of mentioning score from the another site such as Dxo.
I wonder where do those number came from because I've seen many result out of these two cameras, and they are near identical and USABLE even in high iso.
So, when you give the recommendation for one camera to another, please proof your recommendation by real life sample NOT NUMBER.
because in this case you give the nikon D5100 a significant margin, I REALLY WISH YOU COULD PROOF A SIGNIFICANT BENEFITS OF NIKON D5100 IN REAL LIFE PICTURE (WHICH SHOWS US THE DIFFERENT DEPTH OF COLOR, NOISE, IMAGE QUALITY ETC FROM NIKON D5100 AND CANON EOS 600D) THX :)
 
Allukaz (9:27 AM, July 03, 2012)
So, you never test the camera itself and just copy another from Dxo or something else?
 
Vivienne Gould (6:26 PM, June 15, 2012)
I am sick of reading that the canon eos 600d has an in body af motor - it doesn't!  I rang Canon this morning and was told that none of the newer models has an af motor in the body - if you want autofocus you have to have a lens with a motor.
 
Tariqsaon (4:46 AM, June 13, 2012)
NO one talked about noise in the picture... Definitely Canon has a Stronger Noise cancellation algorithm then Nikon... Its true.. Also better Movie... in the Day light.. For Out door Shoot in Daylight Canon is BEst... But for Indoor shoot in Low light, Nikon can be a good option..
 
Paul (4:17 PM, June 02, 2012)
If you're into movies, Canon is the winner by far , permitting full manual operation, shutter speed, aperture, all as you're filming. Plus the Canon has the advantage of additional software ( MagicLantern) which gives you lots of cool features. In regards to image quality nikon has the advantage but there's not a big difference in real life practice. For me, the fact than Nikon lacked the movie control was a deal breaker. 
Best regards!
 
Theredrider78 (0:36 PM, May 23, 2012)
Actually, I'd imagine I could tell the difference.  I've owned both 550D and D5100 and from personal experience the Nikon is far and away superior!  As I said, Canon is almost unusable at anything over 400 iso.
 
Davidchung (11:38 AM, May 20, 2012)
Nikon d5100 is a good camera
 
Avatar for Luyefar Luyefar (10:42 AM, May 06, 2012)
Canon has no build in motor for auto focus. Don't be so stupid.
 
treesare_green (11:29 AM, April 29, 2012)
sorry if this is a stupid question ... but is 'zoom' based on the camera or the lens? 

i'm a newbie to photography, so would be really nice if you could help me out with your experience ..-thank you! 
 
Ashan (6:19 AM, April 01, 2012)
Canon fan boys should have to face the reality though its bit painfull 
 
Avatar for RajBasu RajBasu (3:58 PM, March 23, 2012)
I researched both Nikon D5100 and Canon 600D. Finally bought Nikon because:
1) Nikon is 20% cheaper than Canon
2) Nikon used D7000 sensor from Sony, the best 
3) Nikon lenses are cheaper 
Finally I bought it from a Nikon DSLR Zone though on-line shopping was slightly cheaper.
Used Nikon D5100 with 18-55 Kit, 55-200 Zoom & 50 Prime with great results.
 
Avatar for Acolz Acolz (10:43 AM, March 17, 2012)
600D has it get your facts straight
 
Avatar for Acolz Acolz (10:42 AM, March 17, 2012)
What about DoF preview on Canon? Also better video mode, and better menu controls and accessibility.
 
Avatar for Acolz Acolz (10:32 AM, March 17, 2012)
The noise is fine up to 800 and sometimes even 1600 on 600D. And better IQ - you can't really tell the difference between the two, if I'd show you 2 same pics from these cams you wouldn't know which one is Nikon.
 
Avatar for Acolz Acolz (10:28 AM, March 17, 2012)
You probably mean continuous focusing in video with D5100 because you can obviously focus in video with both since it's a dslr. If you mean the continous af in video on Nikon, just to let you know it sucks, it's noisy and it doesn't focus properly, totally useless.