Canon EOS Digital
Rebel XTi
 vs
Nikon
D5100

Nikon D5100

76
Winner

Nikon D5100
"Sophisticated AF system for the price"
dpreview.com | talking about the D5100's auto-focus
"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

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
Color depth
 Great color depth
23.5 bits
Dynamic range
 Wide dynamic range
13 EV
Screen size
 Large screen
3.0"
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi

31

Reasons to buy the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi

Size
 Really small
Prosumer size 127x94x65 mm
Badge
 Built-in focus motor
Autofocuses with more lenses
Thickness
 Thin
2.6"

differences

Advantages of the Canon Rebel XTi
Lens focus motor Has a built-in focus motor Yes vs No
Help
 Autofocuses with all autofocus lenses
Size Significantly smaller 127x94x65 mm vs 127x96x78 mm
Help
 Around 20% smaller
Thickness Much thinner 2.6" vs 3.1"
Help
 Around 20% thinner
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi Learn more about
the Canon Rebel XTi

Advantages of the Nikon D5100
Low light performance Much lower noise at high ISO 1,183 ISO vs 664 ISO
Help
 The D5100 has a slight edge (0.8 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
Overall image quality Much better image quality 80.0 vs 62.0
Help
 Around 30% better image quality
Screen size Much larger screen 3.0" vs 2.5"
Help
 More than 20% larger screen
Movie format Shoots movies 1080p @ 30fps vs None
Help
 Shoots Full HD (1080p) video as well as still pictures
Dynamic range More dynamic range 13 EV vs 11 EV
Help
 2 f-stops more dynamic range
Autofocus Faster autofocus Phase detection vs Contrast detection
Help
 Catch candid moments easily
Screen resolution Much higher resolution screen 920k dots vs 230k dots
Help
 4x higher resolution screen
Live view Has live view Yes vs No
Help
 Preview your photos on the camera's screen before taking them
Color depth Better color depth 23.5 bits vs 22.1 bits
Help
 Distinguishes 1.4 more bits of color
True resolution Much higher true resolution 16.1 MP vs 10.1 MP
Help
 Capture around 60% more detail in your photos
Screen flips out Has a flip-out screen Yes vs No
Help
 Flip-out screens can be helpful when composing tricky shots or taking movies
HDR Has in-camera HDR Yes vs No
Help
 Combines multiple exposures to capture high dynamic range
Sensor size Significantly larger sensor APS-C 23.6x15.6mm vs APS-C 22.2x14.8mm
Help
 More than 10% larger sensor
Autofocus Video autofocus Contrast detection vs None
Help
 Automatically focuses shooting video
Light sensitivity (boost) Has boost ISO 25,600 ISO vs None
Help
 Allows taking photos in darker situations, often at the cost of additional noise in the image
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 6,400 ISO vs 1,600 ISO
Help
 The D5100's maximum light sensitivity is 2 f-stops better
Continuous shooting Shoots faster 4 fps vs 3 fps
Help
 More than 30% faster continuous shooting
Viewfinder size Slightly larger viewfinder 0.51x vs 0.49x
Help
 Around 10% larger viewfinder
Lens availability Slightly more lenses available 169 lenses vs 162 lenses
Help
 Almost the same
Lowest price Cheaper $499.99 vs $749.00
Help
 The best price we've seen is $249 cheaper (more than 30% less)
Nikon D5100 Learn more about
the Nikon D5100
vs

recommendations

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

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi
31 vs 76
Explain scores
Nikon D5100 Nikon D5100
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Nikon D5100.

advice

Need help deciding?

Ask the community!
I am considering either the Canon Rebel XTi or the Nikon D5100,
For example: Taking photos in low light or great family photos or ability to take great photos underwater

Select aspects that are most important to you: (max 3)

Popular tags:

Are you a camera expert? Share your knowledge!
1
votes
by Jyl-Smith-Murray last month
Canon Rebel XS vs Canon Rebel XTi

I found both cameras used. The xti is the body and 18-55 lens only for $280. The xs has been used ...

One person recommends the Canon Rebel XS:

"The XS and XTi are nearly identical. If you have found both for the same price but the XS comes wi..."
0
votes
by desy-boo last month
Nikon D5100 vs Sony SLT A65

Hello, I am having trouble figuring out if I want to stick with the Sony or if I want to go with...

4 people recommend the Sony SLT A65:

" A65 is much better than D5100 Has a OLED viewfinder (the best of viewfinders) More dinamic r..."

" The Sony has a much bigger view finder, which helps a lot when composing shots. Sure, the Nikon..."

"If i was you id when with nikon most there camera bodies how very little image noise at 1600 and 3..."
One person recommends the Nikon D5100:

" its all about ISO and better GLASS"
0
votes
by Frederik-Skj-dt 3 days ago
Nikon D5100 vs Sony SLT A65

Hello  I don't now if i should choose sony SLT a65 or nikon d5100.  I'm going to use it for ...
0
votes
by Chris-Brown last month
Nikon D5100 vs Sony SLT A65

This is my first purchase of a DSLR. I will be using the camera for photography of landscapes, ...
0
votes
by Aitvll this month
Nikon D5100 vs Nikon D3100

Primary goal is capture stills and movie of high school sporting events (football games, track r...

4 people recommend the Nikon D5100:

" Both cameras are "capable" of fast action, distant images but what's very much more relevant and..."

" Price is so close, d5100 has many advantages as listed by @Philip-Davis.  Good camera, great pri..."

" These cameras are very close in price (within $50 according to sortable), but the D5100 has cons..."

similarities

Compared to recent entry-level DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Lens availability Many lenses available Help
Rebel XTi:162 lenses
D5100:169 lenses
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
Panorama Neither camera stitches together panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
3D Neither camera can take 3D photos Help
No 3d support
Light sensitivity Poor maximum light sensitivity Help
Rebel XTi:1,600 ISO
D5100:6,400 ISO
Continuous shooting Slow continuous shooting Help
Rebel XTi:3 fps
D5100:4 fps
Viewfinder size Below average viewfinder size Help
Rebel XTi:0.49x
D5100:0.51x
Weather sealed Neither is weather sealed Help
Need to shelter it from weather

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Canon Rebel T3i

Canon Rebel T3i

Entry-level DSLR

$619 - $700 body only

$745 - $1,000 with 18-55mm lens
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Thickness Is thicker
Size Is much larger
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the EOS Digital Rebel XTi
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the D5100
Nikon D3100

Nikon D3100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $547 with 18-55mm lens
Thickness Is thicker
Size Is slightly larger
Compare the D3100 vs the EOS Digital Rebel XTi
Compare the D3100 vs the D5100
Nikon D90

Nikon D90

Entry-level DSLR

$897 body only

$1,047 with 55-200mm lens
Viewfinder size Significantly larger viewfinder
Viewfinder Has higher quality type of viewfinder
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the D90 vs the EOS Digital Rebel XTi
Compare the D90 vs the D5100
Canon EOS Rebel T2i

Canon Rebel T2i

Entry-level DSLR

$544 - $949 body only

$649 - $867 with 18-55mm lens
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Battery life Has a slightly shorter battery life
Compare the Rebel T2i vs the EOS Digital Rebel XTi
Compare the Rebel T2i vs the D5100
Canon EOS 60D

Canon EOS 60D

Pro DSLR

$848 - $1,304 body only

$1,177 - $1,342 with 18-135mm lens
Viewfinder size Slightly larger viewfinder
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the EOS 60D vs the EOS Digital Rebel XTi
Compare the EOS 60D vs the D5100
Nikon D5000

Nikon D5000

Entry-level DSLR

$880 with 18-55mm lens
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the D5000 vs the EOS Digital Rebel XTi
Compare the D5000 vs the D5100
Canon Rebel T3

Canon Rebel T3

Entry-level DSLR

$333 body only

$489 - $500 with 18-55mm lens
Battery life Has a slightly longer battery life
Weight Is slightly lighter
Thickness Is thicker
Sensor cleaning Lacks a self cleaning sensor
Compare the Rebel T3 vs the EOS Digital Rebel XTi
Compare the Rebel T3 vs the D5100

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS

Entry-level DSLR

$348 - $595 body only

$439 with 18-55mm lens
Live view Has live view
Low light performance Slightly lower noise at high ISO
Color depth Worse color depth
Dynamic range Less dynamic range
Compare the EOS Digital Rebel XS vs the EOS Digital Rebel XTi
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi

Entry-level DSLR

$468 body only

$600 with 18-55mm lens
Screen size Much larger screen
Autofocus Faster autofocus
Color depth Worse color depth
Dynamic range Less dynamic range
Compare the EOS Digital Rebel XSi vs the EOS Digital Rebel XTi
Nikon D3000

Nikon D3000

Entry-level DSLR

$481 with 18-55mm lens
Screen size Much larger screen
Autofocus Faster autofocus
Low light performance More noise at high ISO
Sensor type Has a CCD-family sensor
Compare the D3000 vs the EOS Digital Rebel XTi

Nikon D5100 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon D3200

Nikon D3200

Entry-level DSLR

$699 - $700 with 18-55mm lens
True resolution Much higher true resolution
Weight Lighter
Screen flips out Screen does not flip out
HDR Lacks in-camera HDR
Compare the D3200 vs the D5100
Nikon D7000

Nikon D7000

Entry-level DSLR

$1,000 - $1,197 body only

$1,100 with 55-200mm lens
Focus points Many more focus points
Weather sealed Weather sealed
Screen flips out Screen does not flip out
HDR Lacks in-camera HDR
Compare the D7000 vs the D5100

appearance

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi Nikon D5100
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi Nikon D5100
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi Nikon D5100

discussion

Showing 0 comments