Canon Rebel
T3i
 vs
Nikon
D5100

Nikon D5100

76
Winner

Nikon 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 D5100'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 D5100's feel

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
Color depth
 Great color depth
23.5 bits
Dynamic range
 Wide dynamic range
13.6 EV
Startup delay
 Almost no delay when powering up
500 ms startup delay
Screen flips out
 Flip-out screen
Great for movies
Canon Rebel T3i

57
Runner-up

Canon Rebel T3i
"The Rebel T3i / 600D is exactly the camera that we'd expect it to be - it's feature-rich, reasonably priced, enjoyable to use and, most importantly, takes great pictures."
dpreview.com | talking about the T3i's overall-performance
"Good quality 1080/720p video output with a range of frame rates and control over exposure"
dpreview.com | talking about the T3i's video-quality

Reasons to buy the Canon Rebel T3i

Screen resolution
 High resolution screen
1,040k dots
True resolution
 High true resolution
17.9 MP
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 T3i
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
Screen resolution Higher resolution screen 1,040k dots vs 920k dots
Help
 More than 10% higher resolution screen
Viewfinder size Slightly larger viewfinder 0.53x vs 0.51x
Help
 Around 10% larger viewfinder
Canon Rebel T3i Learn more about
the Canon T3i

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 Much better image quality 80.0 vs 65.0
Help
 More than 20% better image quality
Dynamic range More dynamic range 13.6 EV vs 11.5 EV
Help
 2.1 f-stops more dynamic range
Startup delay Much 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
HDR Has in-camera HDR Yes vs No
Help
 Combines multiple exposures to capture high dynamic range
Autofocus Video autofocus Contrast detection vs None
Help
 Automatically focuses shooting video
Sensor size Larger sensor APS-C 23.6x15.6mm vs APS-C 22.3x14.9mm
Help
 More than 10% larger sensor
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
Focus points More focus points 11 vs 9
Help
 Set focus accurately within the frame
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
Shutter lag Slightly less shutter lag 273 ms vs 283 ms
Help
 Almost the same
Continuous shooting Shoots slightly faster 4 fps vs 3.7 fps
Help
 Around 10% faster continuous shooting
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 Rebel T3i Canon Rebel T3i
57 vs 76
Explain scores
Nikon D5100 Nikon D5100
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Nikon D5100.

performance Which camera has better performance? Cast your vote!

CanonRebel T3i
 Canon Rebel T3i vs Nikon D5100
NikonD5100
Uses Travel score Travel
On holiday or vacation
158
367
Vote Vote
Sports score Sports
Fast action, sometimes indoors
140
352
Vote Vote
Features Color accuracy Color accuracy
White balance in varied lighting
146
342
Vote Vote
Autofocus peformance Still image focusing
Speed and accuracy
142
344
Vote Vote
Autofocus performance Video focusing
Speed and accuracy
149
341
Vote Vote
Manual controls Manual settings
How quickly and easily you can change settings
169
323
Vote Vote
Build quality Build quality
Is it sturdy, well made, plastic or metal
156
331
Vote Vote
Green arrow Join in the discussion below!

similarities

Compared to recent entry-level DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Movie format Both shoot high resolution HD movies Help
1080p @ 30fps
Screen resolution High resolution screens Help
T3i:1,040k dots
D5100:920k dots
Lens availability Many lenses available Help
T3i:162 lenses
D5100:169 lenses
Screen size Larger than average screens Help
3.0"
Supports 24p 24p support Help
For that film look
Screen flips out Flip-out screens Help
Great for movies
External mic jack Have external mic jacks Help
Record higher quality audio with a microphone
Fastest shutter speed Slow max shutter speed Help
1/4000 of a second
Storage slots Fewer storage slots Help
1
Viewfinder coverage Below average viewfinder coverage Help
95%
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur
Cross type focus points Few cross-type focus points Help
1
Shutter lag Significant shutter lag Help
T3i:283 ms
D5100:273 ms
Panorama Neither camera stitches together panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
3D Neither camera can take 3D photos Help
No 3d support
Continuous shooting Slow continuous shooting Help
T3i:3.7 fps
D5100:4 fps
Light sensitivity Poor maximum light sensitivity Help
6,400 ISO

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Canon EOS Rebel T2i

Canon Rebel T2i

Entry-level DSLR

$499 - $949 body only

$579 - $867 with 18-55mm lens
Size Is slightly smaller
Thickness Is thinner
Screen flips out Doesn't have a screen which flips out
Compare the Rebel T2i vs the Rebel T3i
Compare the Rebel T2i vs the D5100
Canon EOS 60D

Canon EOS 60D

Pro DSLR

$897 - $1,304 body only

$1,130 - $1,342 with 18-135mm lens
Viewfinder size Slightly larger viewfinder
Continuous shooting Shoots faster continuously
Weight Is significantly heavier
Size Is significantly larger
Compare the EOS 60D vs the Rebel T3i
Compare the EOS 60D vs the D5100
Nikon D90

Nikon D90

Entry-level DSLR

$869 - $897 body only

$1,099 - $1,200 with 18-105mm lens
Viewfinder size Significantly larger viewfinder
Startup delay Has slightly less startup delay
Weight Is significantly heavier
External mic jack Lacks and external mic jack
Compare the D90 vs the Rebel T3i
Compare the D90 vs the D5100
Nikon D3100

Nikon D3100

Entry-level DSLR

$834 body only

$500 - $984 with 18-55mm lens
Thickness Is thinner
Weight Is slightly lighter
External mic jack Lacks and external mic jack
Screen flips out Doesn't have a screen which flips out
Compare the D3100 vs the Rebel T3i
Compare the D3100 vs the D5100
Nikon D7000

Nikon D7000

Entry-level DSLR

$1,097 - $1,199 body only

$1,227 with 55-200mm lens
Viewfinder size Significantly larger viewfinder
Weather sealed Has a weather sealed body
Weight Is significantly heavier
Size Is slightly larger
Compare the D7000 vs the Rebel T3i
Compare the D7000 vs the D5100
Canon Rebel T3

Canon Rebel T3

Entry-level DSLR

$379 body only

$479 - $554 with 18-55mm lens
Battery life Has a slightly longer battery life
Weight Is slightly lighter
Sensor cleaning Lacks a self cleaning sensor
External mic jack Lacks and external mic jack
Compare the Rebel T3 vs the Rebel T3i
Compare the Rebel T3 vs the D5100
Canon EOS 7D

Canon EOS 7D

Pro DSLR

$1,339 - $1,821 body only

$1,498 - $1,800 with 28-135mm lens
Viewfinder size Significantly larger viewfinder
Weather sealed Has a weather sealed body
Weight Is much heavier
Size Is significantly larger
Compare the EOS 7D vs the Rebel T3i
Compare the EOS 7D vs the D5100

Canon Rebel T3i Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Canon Rebel T3i.

Nikon D5100 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

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

appearance

Canon Rebel T3i Nikon D5100
Canon Rebel T3i Nikon D5100
Canon Rebel T3i Nikon D5100

Find similar cameras

Here are some links to help you find other cameras with similar features to both of these:

discussion Which do you think is better?

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

Showing 25 comments

Jerrywielo (0:05 PM, February 20, 2012)
Numbers numbers... Here is 77 to 58 for Nikon when you go to http://www.dpreview.com/ there is 77 to 76 for Canon :| I think I'm going to wait for iPhone 5
 
rs21 (6:49 PM, January 30, 2012)
After going through extensive reviews on different places (dpreview, Amazon, NewEgg, BH etc...), I come below conclusion:
Nikon D5100 has slightly better ImageQuality, LoWLightPerformance, LowNoise on high ISO compared to T3i.

Canon T3i has less failure (came died) rate, Better Video Quality & better Customer support compared to D5100.
 
Rfgthyujhygtfr (5:04 AM, January 30, 2012)
does t3i have the auto display sensor like the t1i and t2i where u put eye on viewfinder display auto off?
 
Asdfghj (3:27 AM, January 26, 2012)
im probably gonna get the t3i i mean cmon, d5100 seems really entry level look at the menu and keys, much more basic canon, if not im probably going to get the t4i since it will come out this year before fall and might buy it for black friday.
 
Alex (3:30 AM, January 12, 2012)
Nah, the D5100 video is still very nice.
 
Alex (3:20 AM, January 12, 2012)
I own the T3i and the D5100. My main purpose for both is video. I agree
with those who say Canon is superior for
video. It doesn't totally blow the D5100 out of the water, but the
advantages are there. The Nikon has a little more noise with the exact
same ISO, shutter and F settings. Maybe for photos this isn't the case, I
don't know... Also, as others have mentioned, the control
on the Canon can be completely manual.



One big difference is the full
HD digital zoom. That is awesome!! And I really like the
60fps option at 720 the Canon offers. If I need to get more frames for
slow motion, this is nice. I wish it were at full HD, but at least it's
there at all!





That's my two cents. Good Luck!
 
whichone (1:30 AM, January 10, 2012)
snapsort, d5100 or t3i? the d5100 video isn't that bad right? 
 
RobBnTX (10:58 PM, December 31, 2011)
Canon puts all their focus motors in the lens not the camera, no matter the model.  Smaller is not better for most of us, and the T3i is the largest of the Rebel models. Canon markets a grip for the T3i, Nikon does not for the D5100.  The T3i features a built-in pop-up master flash to control wireless flash.  Image wise, comparisons I have seen I would give the nod to the Canon. 

Now having said all that, I covet higher end Nikon models so I am thinking of getting a refurbished or used D90 just to get my foot in the Nikon door, but would probably be happy with a D5100.
 
AQuick (3:35 PM, December 30, 2011)
Also one more thing I forgot to mention. If you are a first time DSLR Owner and are beginning in the DSLR Camera field the Canon T3i has a Full Auto Shooting Mode and also a Guide to help explain what each function does,... Like- ISO,Aperture, Shutter Speed,...ect. It will walk you through a quick explanation so you better understand what each feature does on the camera. I don't think the Nikon D5100 does. It may have a Auto Mode but I don't think it helps explain on camera what each function does. Correct me if im wrong though. So very helpful for a Beginner starting out with a DSLR Camera.
 
AQuick (2:11 PM, December 30, 2011)
I Recently purchased the Canon EOS T3i over the Nikon D5100. I did ALOT of research before doing so. And every forum I went to and every you tube video review I watched said that image quality between the two is near identical yes the D5100 has a slight advantage in image quality but the Canon is just as comparable. Now in Video is were the Canon really outshines the D5100. The Canon has FULL Manuel Control in video mode were as the Nikon does not. And any Videotographer would know you want FULL manual control. The Nikon has auto focus in video but that not always good because (1) its slow and constantly changing focus looking for a focal point. And (2) Its Loud and you will hear it in your video. All the reviews I researched specified those problems with the nikons movie capability and that was the turn off for me. I would much rather have a camera that would take quality pictures in comparison to Nikon But able to take much better high def videos since I will be owning this camera for a long period of time and don't plan on upgrading any time soon the Canon EOS T3i was the wise choose for me.
 
Steve (7:34 AM, December 30, 2011)
Doesn't limit you because Nikon re-leased all the popular lenses with AF-S.
 
Suretybrad (6:27 AM, December 29, 2011)
Smaller s NOT better. Edge to Canon.
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (4:06 PM, December 27, 2011)
Hey Drew
Snapsort strives to be non biased, the D5100 is your best bet if you are looking for better image quality, you can see how well it ranks on our score page. Hope that helps.
 
Dreww04 (4:29 AM, December 27, 2011)
I would really appreciate it if someone would reply in a non-biased way! All i really care about it the photo quality. I do not shoot a specific type of photos so all i really want to know is which camera has better photo quality and really brings out the colours. If they are the same, then overall, taking into account all the details that make a photo good, which camera would you suggest. Any help please?
 
Nicdem25 (8:04 PM, November 05, 2011)
If you make movies, the T3i. If you don't, it doesn't matter. But technically the T2i has better color and higher res.
 
Avatar for Amol Kolhe Amol Kolhe (8:10 PM, October 12, 2011)
T3i is much lighter than D5100. You can hold it in your hand steady for a few minutes more, than the D5100. 
 
Guest (2:36 AM, October 12, 2011)
Suck it up Canon users & fanboys
 
Avatar for Philip Jaderic Philip Jaderic (2:41 PM, September 26, 2011)
Very comprehensive review indeed... cheers!
 
PhotoProBert (5:29 PM, August 14, 2011)
Have to say that this one is actually more useful--> http://www.lightandmatter.org/2011/equipment-reviews/nikon-d5100-vs-canon-t3i/
 Most of the nonsense here doesn't make any actual difference when shooting in real-life situations.
 
Avatar for Chayan Mazumder Chayan Mazumder (1:22 PM, August 10, 2011)
I prefer d5100. Coz loaded wid features and quality... Go for it as save money and buy lenses... Also chk this site before buying..
http://www.digitalreview.ca/content/Canon-Rebel-T3i-EOS-600D-Compared-to-Nikon-D5100.shtml
 
Jkl (6:18 AM, July 21, 2011)
deosn't make a camera better just because it has higher MP
 
Jkl (6:15 AM, July 21, 2011)
Significant disadvantages of the D5100 (vs the T3i)
Doesn't have a built-in focus motor
 
Jkl (6:12 AM, July 21, 2011)
Significant disadvantages of the T3i (vs the D5100)
Significantly more noise at high ISO: 793 ISO vs 1,183 ISOSignificantly worse image quality: 65.0 vs 80.0Much worse color depth: 22.1 bits vs 23.5 bits
 
onlysurrender (0:33 AM, July 11, 2011)
In the end, Nikon was the first to release HD Video Recording, so of course Canon had some time to improve on it. Also, these are just technical specifications. You should choose what is suitable for your needs; there are some who prefer autofocus, while others want manual focus. Nikon and Canon are the best brands of DSLRs. You won't go wrong with either choice.
 
jitendra India (Delhi) (0:11 PM, July 08, 2011)
i also recommend nikon D5100 cenon is far in comparison