Canon EOS
60D
 vs
Nikon
D5100

Updated (March, 2013): Compare the Canon EOS 70D vs Nikon D5200

Nikon D5100

57

  
Canon EOS 60D

55

  
Winner

Nikon D5100

Reasons to buy the Nikon D5100

Overall image quality
 Great image quality
80.0
Dynamic range
 Wide dynamic range
13 EV
Screen flips out
 Flip-out screen
Great for movies
HDR
 In-camera HDR
Combines multiple exposures
Movie continuous focus
 Movie continuous focus
Makes it easy to get in-focus movies
External mic jack
 External mic jack
Record higher quality audio with a microphone
 
Runner-up

Canon EOS 60D

Reasons to buy the Canon EOS 60D

Screen resolution
 High resolution screen
1,040k dots
Weather sealed
 Weather sealed
Shoot in extreme weather
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
Fastest shutter speed
 Fast shutter speed
1/8000 of a second
 

differences

Advantages of the Canon 60D
Weather sealed Weather sealed Yes vs No
Help
 Sealed to shoot in the rain
Viewfinder size Larger viewfinder 0.59x vs 0.51x
Help
 More than 30% larger viewfinder
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
Cross type focus points More cross-type focus points 9 vs 1
Help
 Grab focus in difficult situations
Viewfinder Has a pentaprism viewfinder Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
Help
 Pentaprism viewfinders are typically brighter
Continuous shooting Shoots faster 5.3 fps vs 4 fps
Help
 More than 30% faster continuous shooting
True resolution Higher true resolution 17.9 MP vs 16.1 MP
Help
 Capture more than 10% more detail in your photos
Shutter lag Slightly less shutter lag 253 ms vs 273 ms
Help
 Around 10% less delay when taking photos
Viewfinder coverage Better viewfinder coverage 96% vs 95%
Help
 Almost the same
Fastest shutter speed Significantly faster max shutter speed 1/8000s vs 1/4000s
Help
 2x faster max shutter speed
Startup delay Slightly less startup delay 400 ms vs 500 ms
Help
 20% less delay when turning on
Canon EOS 60D Learn more about
the Canon 60D

Advantages of the Nikon D5100
Overall image quality Significantly better image quality 80.0 vs 66.0
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
Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO 1,183 ISO vs 813 ISO
Help
 The D5100 has a slight edge (0.5 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
Autofocus Video autofocus Contrast detection vs None
Help
 Automatically focuses shooting video
Battery life Significantly longer battery life 660 shots vs 1 shots
Help
 660x more shots per battery charge
Color depth Better color depth 23.5 bits vs 22.2 bits
Help
 Distinguishes 1.3 more bits of color
Size Smaller 127x96x78 mm vs 145x106x79 mm
Help
 More than 20% smaller
Lens availability Slightly more lenses available 169 lenses vs 162 lenses
Help
 Almost the same
Sensor size Slightly larger sensor APS-C 23.6x15.6mm vs APS-C 22.3x14.9mm
Help
 More than 10% larger sensor
Weight Lighter 560 g vs 755 g
Help
 Around 30% lighter
Light sensitivity (boost) Better boost ISO 25,600 ISO vs 12,800 ISO
Help
 The D5100's boost ISO is 1 f-stop better
Nikon D5100 Learn more about
the Nikon D5100
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent DSLRs, and ignoring price

Canon EOS 60D Canon EOS 60D
55 vs 57
Explain scores
Nikon D5100 Nikon D5100
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Nikon D5100. This recommendation, however, should be taken with a grain of salt since it doesn't always make sense to compare a pro DSLR with a entry-level DSLR.

similarities

Compared to recent DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Screen flips out Flip-out screens Help
Great for movies
Lens availability Many lenses available Help
60D:162 lenses
D5100:169 lenses
Built-in flash Each has a built-in flash Help
External flash not needed
Storage slots Fewer storage slots Help
1
Viewfinder coverage Below average viewfinder coverage Help
60D:96%
D5100:95%
Shutter lag Significant shutter lag Help
60D:253 ms
D5100:273 ms
Focus points Few focus points Help
60D:9
D5100:11
Light sensitivity Poor maximum light sensitivity Help
6,400 ISO
Panorama Neither camera stitches together panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur
Autofocus Lacks video autofocus Help
60D:None
D5100:Contrast detection
Sensor size Very small sensors Help
60D:APS-C 22.3x14.9mm
D5100:APS-C 23.6x15.6mm
3D Neither camera can take 3D photos Help
No 3d support
Continuous shooting Slow continuous shooting Help
60D:5.3 fps
D5100:4 fps

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Canon Rebel T3i

Canon Rebel T3i

Entry-level DSLR

$549 body only

$599 - $649 with 18-55mm lens
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Startup delay Has significantly more startup delay
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the EOS 60D
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the D5100
Nikon D3200

Nikon D3200

Entry-level DSLR

$547 with 18-55mm lens
True resolution Takes significantly higher resolution photos
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Screen flips out Doesn't have a screen which flips out
Compare the D3200 vs the EOS 60D
Compare the D3200 vs the D5100
Canon Rebel T4i

Canon Rebel T4i

Entry-level DSLR

$669 - $800 body only

$699 - $749 with 18-55mm lens
Light sensitivity Slightly higher maximum light sensitivity
Touch screen Has a touch screen
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Color depth Has slightly less color depth
Compare the Rebel T4i vs the EOS 60D
Compare the Rebel T4i vs the D5100
Nikon D5200

Nikon D5200

Entry-level DSLR

$697 body only

$797 with 18-55mm lens
True resolution Takes significantly higher resolution photos
Focus points Has significantly more focus points
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Compare the D5200 vs the EOS 60D
Compare the D5200 vs the D5100
Nikon D7000

Nikon D7000

Entry-level DSLR

$897 body only

$997 with 18-105mm lens
Focus points Has significantly more focus points
Viewfinder coverage Significantly better viewfinder coverage
Weight Is slightly heavier
Screen flips out Doesn't have a screen which flips out
Compare the D7000 vs the EOS 60D
Compare the D7000 vs the D5100
Canon EOS 7D

Canon EOS 7D

Pro DSLR

$1,499 body only

$1,699 with 28-135mm lens
Continuous shooting Shoots faster continuously
Shutter lag Has significantly less shutter lag
Weight Is slightly heavier
Size Is slightly larger
Compare the EOS 7D vs the EOS 60D
Compare the EOS 7D vs the D5100
Nikon D90

Nikon D90

Entry-level DSLR

$599 - $899 body only

$799 - $1,099 with 18-105mm lens
Shutter lag Has slightly less shutter lag
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Weight Is slightly heavier
Compare the D90 vs the EOS 60D
Compare the D90 vs the D5100

Canon EOS 60D Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Canon EOS 60D.

Nikon D5100 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

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

appearance

Canon EOS 60D Nikon D5100
Canon EOS 60D Nikon D5100
Canon EOS 60D Nikon D5100

discussion

Showing 25 comments

Faizan (8:25 PM, June 05, 2012)
You cant just give your verdict interms of score - There is always difference between theory and practice. There should be an Disclaimer at top of every comparison that snapsort is just an engine - it gives you the score based on certain known factors about a camera and it can be incorrect.

Some example here. 

70D vs 60D - There is tie
http://snapsort.com/compare/Canon_EOS_60D-vs-Canon_EOS_7D

60D vs D5100 - D5100 is winning 
http://snapsort.com/compare/Canon_EOS_60D-vs-Nikon-D5100

70D vs D5100 - 7D is winning 
http://snapsort.com/compare/Canon_EOS_7D-vs-Nikon-D5100
 
Theredrider78 (0:23 AM, May 21, 2012)
To all the Canon fanboys below sourgraping the Nikons' win; this might be the reason.  Better image quality, lower ISO noise, better colour depth and more dynamic range.  You see, most people buy SLR cameras to take really good photos.  And to get good photos, you need.....  Good image quality, low noise, good colour depth and great dynamic range.  Is it becoming clear yet, Canon fanboys?  Has the penny dropped?  The Nikon has a larger image sensor with less megapixels, therefore, bigger photosites on the image sensor.  This means better image quality and less noise.  And that makes a better camera!
 
Jerrywielo (5:12 PM, February 21, 2012)


Uff... is any review service out there which compere and
scores particular reviews? This score here is 81 to 78 for Nikon on
dpreview.com are 76% to 79% for Canon. Which should I buy? I want to buy my
first DSLR. I am not a beginner I might be beginner in Digital SLR but 20 years
ago I used Minolta 7000 SLR with 35mm film and some Pentax, played even with
medium format film (now most people probably don't know what it is anyway...)
so principle of making a picture isn't new for me, in fact I think it is much
easier now, because you see the result simultaneously… In past I had to wait a week
on results what I did... Anyway, I am not old doddering man. I use new i7 core
computers, have iPhone 4S and Ipad2 so I am looking for the best camera for the
money (can’t decide shall I go with Canon 7D, 60D, T3i or Nikon D7000 and
D5100) any help?
 
McAnally (10:01 PM, February 16, 2012)
 I'm majoring in photography at school so I need to make a decision already. I want something that I have plenty of years to grow into. I don't want to pay a lot of money now just to spend more to replace it in 5-10 years. Is it true that a decent body and good lenses can be just as good as a very high-tech body? I'm looking at the Canon 60D because it is considered semi-pro and hopefully I could have a lot of time to grow into it. I want to take pictures like National Geographic with a budget under $2000 body + lens.
tmcanall@student.westgatech.edu
 
Decks80 (5:46 PM, January 21, 2012)
It looks to me like the breakdown really comes to use.
Someone who wants to have an affordable camera to take quality snapshots and hobby level artistic shots, the D5100 is about the most bang for your buck on the market.
For someone looking for a professional grade camera, the D60 is a better choice, but perhaps not the BEST choice. For pros who want a Cannon why not go with a 7D for action/photo journalist type stuff, or a 5D for studio?  The price jump is pretty nominal for a pro, and the quality is quite significant.My vote goes to the D5100 for the gear geek dad who wants to take the best photos at the family reunion/little league practice, and to neither for the photography student/pro on a budget.
 
www.Astudio.ge (7:11 PM, January 15, 2012)
I`ts very silly comparing on this web-site, im photo jurnalist from Europe,Georgia,Tbilisi  and I had snapt alot of photos with different Cameras including this two models Canon is Better way to take better Quality photos in all Aspects. I love NIkon cameras but here is very silly comparing. Shame Shameeeeeeeeeeeee Administration of this site ! 
 
Lanson Chua (3:07 AM, December 28, 2011)
As a non professional but an avid fan of photography & cameras, I am not bias at all toward a few big camera brands. I knew no camera to this day is perfect but I look for my top priorities. I always have great headache when choosing a camera. For this particular comparison of the two, I can make up my mind easily for D5100 advantages are more pronounce in terms of every aspect influencing image quality. That's sufficiently enough of the first priority. I love to capture simple short videos too when situation permits and therefore to lug another view cam is not practical. So a flip-out screen & a continuous focus serve this mode right. 660 shots per charge is more than enough if we are using it for a day of outing & recharge it for the next day.

As we learn more and more about photography and the interesting features therein offered in a camera, there is this tendency we ask, for perfection. Let's face it, there is no necessity to pay more for features we don't need. Sony NEX 7 is almost perfect  but I cant afford it so NEX 5N is the closest I can get. The fact is I realise I don't need such high specs. 

I was just like so many others when starting out in choosing a camera. The more I know, the more confuse I get. Now, I have only these words to share. Go for what serves you well will be the order of the day but bad image quality is a pissed off. Even if you can afford the best it is gonna be a white elephant if you are not the one made to ride on it. My point of view is D5100 is definitely slightly better but without a comparison difference 60D stands out and is highly recommended too. Go for that serves what we want and need is more important than anything else. Happy searching and comparing.
 
koolaidrinker (11:18 PM, December 27, 2011)
Just looking at the score breakdown is enough to destroy credibility of this comparison. The two highest scoring categories are popularity and movie format? 

The D5100 got 47.5 points just for being popular, I know bragging rights are my #1 priority.

For the record I have no bias between the 2, I'm just looking for credible info so I can decide between the 2 systems. guess it's back to dpreview
 
jack (8:39 AM, December 21, 2011)
I must agree. The 60D is a better camera for advanced consumers.
 
Avatar for Hammad Hammad (0:11 AM, December 04, 2011)
This is of course a joke :) I am D5100 user and was blown away by D60 in 30 seconds.

Edit: Looking at the pictue of the two, I would say Nikon is the winner :)
 
Avatar for Hammad Hammad (0:09 AM, December 04, 2011)
Just checked the 60D at Best buty, and I was AMAZED. Here is my quick review and comparison with D5100
Feel in Hand = 100%    vs 60%
Fast Menu   = 100% vs 70%
Shutter speed = 100%  vs 50%
Friendly Menu = 90% vs 60 %  (I have not played much with menu though)
Good looking? = 100% vs 70%

I am a Nikon D5100 user and I love my picture quality. Actually I just case across 60D and was impressed! If you are considering 5100, give this one a look. When I bought it I only compared it with repel series, didn't know even this one exist. Happy shopping
 
Raaghum2222 (6:04 AM, November 26, 2011)
Is this comparison biased? How could D5100 which is compared to rebel T3i, a lower end model of 60D can defeat 60D ? 
This this comparison is to promote D5100. All the best supporters :) 
 
Guest (2:40 AM, October 12, 2011)
If I wanna shoot video, I'll buy a video camera.  Your just pissed 'cos you invested in an inferior stills camera.
 
Bryan (5:34 PM, September 08, 2011)
Honestly I went out and bought a 5100....gave it an honest try out for about a week. I liked the image quality, fun filter effects and color depth, wonderful Camera overall... however if you ever gotten used to a more pro model you'll find the menu digging quite obnoxious. The controls and menus aren't that intuitive as many claim...perhaps i'm too used to Canon (EOS 3D). I also wasn't very impressed with the live view. The exposure simulation simply doesn't exist on Manual mode which really irked me. I just found it was difficult to quickly adjust setting and modes with limited external controls and programable functions for time sensitive shots. The viewfinder was small and dark. Other than that i had no problems getting great shots out of it. After a week i went and returned the 5100 and bought the 60D. The image quality is slighter better on 5100 but really not that noticeable unless at high ISO under low light. Plus for the average prosumer/advanced beginner (who I'm assuming would be in the market for either of these camera's) i highly doubt you'll be pushing the bounds of either of these camera's sensors. If your working with an ISO of 3200  i doubt either shot from each camera is going to be a prize winner. I like the larger viewfinder, quick and programable and external controls, live view, better lcd, resolution, battery life, AF focus motor, less plasticky,more useful functions, and faster shutter speeds of the 60d over the 5100. 

If your a hobbyist or advanced beginner get the 5100. If your Nikon user and are familiar with control layout get the 5100. If all you care about is a slightly better image without editing...5100.

Being a Canon guy already i couldn't hang with 5100 not because of the images it produced but the overall feel, functionality, and the 60D being a little more geared towards the prosumer side of things it was an obvious choice. Really both great cameras just try them out and see what feels best in your hands and be honest about what you really intend to use them for. 

......JUST MY TWO CENTS :) 
 
Squash (3:34 PM, September 05, 2011)
Wow a lot of people getting bent up over this comparison. The 16.2MP sensor used in the newest APS-C Nikons and the older Sony crops is *the* best APS-C sensor out there, and frankly the largest step up since the 20D. On purely IQ grounds, the D5100 kicks the 60D's butt.

But, look at the bodies and features. The 60D has much better battery life, AF, viewfinder, max shutter speed/max sync speed, wireless flash control, FPS, and arguably much superior video in terms of bitrate/compression, vintage lens adaptability (manual aperture and focus are a must for serious video), and the Magic Lantern hack.

It's pretty clear for me -- Canon is being forced to overequip the 60D in order to compensate for being behind in sensor tech. Pick what's important to you based on your shooting and get one. Frankly I think the price difference between either of these cams and the D7000 (~+300 for the best APS-C on the market) or a used 1D Mark II (best sports/action value) makes them both pretty poor choices.
 
Lanson Chua (8:23 AM, August 22, 2011)
By the comparison, very obviously it should be D5100 because it juz point, shoot & gives everything at its best. But, can someone point out to me if those good features in D5100 hidden in the menu is easy for novice to pick & use. I understand that 60D has those easy to reach buttons. Am I right? Is the problem I have highlighted hard for beginners?
 
Xiph (5:50 PM, August 11, 2011)
it is.. lol ..
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (3:31 PM, August 07, 2011)
Hi Mean Drake, we did list the pentaprism VF as an advantage of the 60D, thanks for pointing out about the remote wireless flash.
 
Mean Drake (8:47 AM, August 06, 2011)
Snapsport reviews are amazing. D5100 seems better than even 7D and 5D MkII. It's the best thing since sliced bread.
 
Mean Drake (8:46 AM, August 06, 2011)
Is this comparison some sort of a joke? The pentaprism VF and the remote wireless flash itself make the 60D miles ahead. 
 
Alexander_barcenas (1:53 AM, August 01, 2011)
D5100... if you look at the advantages of the D5100 over the 60D what you get is an overall better image and video quality camera, and for a far cheaper price. 60D only wins in gimmicky features such as display screen and longer battery life.. there's no real triumph on the 60D's end with picture quality. check out the commparing tables for both models again and you'll see that the D5100 is a far better camera for image and video quality
 
Avatar for wmac wmac (9:45 AM, July 31, 2011)
The sensor is the same as D7000.

The image quality is better (bigger sensor, higher color definition etc., better high iso performance). But the body , battery etc. are not taken into account.

If you want a pro body (more controls etc.) 60D has edge, but if you just look for image quality, why not?
 
Nick1983 (6:23 PM, July 27, 2011)
canon is superior in vids and in hands of pro photographers; for amateurs and semi pro guys - nikon deals better with almost situations even in auto mode
 
Texav8b (8:12 PM, June 26, 2011)
I recently purchased the D5100 after reading reviews of both the Nikon D5100 and Canon D60. I was mostly a point and shoot type of person using a Sony Cyber-shot for the last several years. With my children being more involved in activities I want to move to a DSLR to document and enjoy their actives even more. The first day after purchasing the D5100 I was taking amazing photos of my 9 yr old son playing baseball, crystal clear action shots and the next day taking equally as good photos of my 10 yr old daughter playing soccer. The camera was very easy to use. I had another parent taking pictures for me at the soccer game after only a quick lesson on how to use it, they mentioned how impressed they were with its ease of use and they need to get one also. I think going from a point and shoot to a DSLR, I would have been equally impressed with either camera however, since the only camera I have used is the D5100, I’m happy to report that I am extremely happy with it and would recommend it to anyone who is taking a step up as I have. It is the perfect camera that I needed for my family photos with lots of room to grow. Note: I bought the camera with an additional lens (55-200mm AF zoom lens) I would consider this a must to zoom in close for excellent action shots of your children’s sporting events and activities. Extremely satisfied!
 
ec (0:47 PM, June 24, 2011)
DSLR...