Updated (October, 2012): Compare the Nikon D3200 vs Nikon D5200

Nikon D5100
Winner
Nikon D5100

77

vs
Nikon D3200

75

Nikon D3200
Runner-up
 
 
 
 

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
 

Reasons to buy the Nikon D3200

Low light performance
 Low noise at high ISO
1,131 ISO
Overall image quality
 Great image quality
81.0
Movie format
 Full HD
1080p @ 30fps
Color depth
 Great color depth
24.1 bits
 
Differences | Recommendations | Similarities | Competitors | Appearance | Discussion

differences

Advantages of the Nikon D3200
True resolution Much higher true resolution 24.1 MP vs 16.1 MP
Help
 Capture around 50% more detail in your photos
Color depth Better color depth 24.1 bits vs 23.5 bits
Help
 Distinguishes 0.6 more bits of color
Overall image quality Slightly better image quality 81.0 vs 80.0
Help
 Almost the same
Size Smaller 125x96x76 mm vs 127x96x78 mm
Help
 Almost the same
Startup delay Slightly less startup delay 400 ms vs 500 ms
Help
 20% less delay when turning on
Weight Lighter 505 g vs 560 g
Help
 Around 10% lighter
Thickness Thinner 3" vs 3.1"
Help
 Almost the same
Nikon D3200 Learn more about
the Nikon D3200

Advantages of the Nikon D5100
HDR Has in-camera HDR Yes vs No
Help
 Combines multiple exposures to capture high dynamic range
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
Low light performance Slightly lower noise at high ISO 1,183 ISO vs 1,131 ISO
Help
 The D5100 has a slight edge (0.1 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
Sensor size Larger sensor APS-C 23.6x15.6mm vs APS-C 23.2x15.4mm
Help
 Almost the same
Battery life Longer battery life 660 shots vs 540 shots
Help
 More than 20% 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
Lowest price Slightly cheaper $496.95 vs $546.95
Help
 The best price we've seen is $50 cheaper (around 10% less)
Nikon D5100 Learn more about
the Nikon D5100
vs

recommendations

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

Nikon D3200 Nikon D3200
75 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
Low light performance Relatively low noise at high ISO Help
D3200:1,131 ISO
D5100:1,183 ISO
Overall image quality Good image quality Help
D3200:81.0
D5100:80.0
Dynamic range Good dynamic range Help
D3200:13.2 EV
D5100:13 EV
Color depth Good color depth Help
D3200:24.1 bits
D5100:23.5 bits
Lens availability Many lenses available Help
169 lenses
Movie continuous focus Focus continuously recording movies Help
Makes it easy to get in-focus movies
Supports 24p 24p support Help
For that film look
Lens focus motor No focus motor Help
Won't autofocus with all lenses
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
Continuous shooting Slow continuous shooting Help
4 fps
Shutter lag Significant shutter lag Help
D3200:276 ms
D5100:273 ms
Panorama Neither camera stitches together panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
Autofocus Slower contrast detection video autofocus Help
slower focusing
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur
Viewfinder size Below average viewfinder size Help
D3200:0.50x
D5100:0.51x
3D Neither camera can take 3D photos Help
No 3d support
Light sensitivity Poor maximum light sensitivity Help
6,400 ISO
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

$549 body only

$595 - $599 with 18-55mm lens
Lens focus motor Has a built-in focus motor
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is slightly heavier
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the D3200
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the D5100
Nikon D5200

Nikon D5200

Entry-level DSLR

$697 body only

$797 with 18-55mm lens
Focus points Has much more focus points
Cross type focus points Has significantly more cross-type focus points
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Size Is slightly larger
Compare the D5200 vs the D3200
Compare the D5200 vs the D5100
Nikon D3100

Nikon D3100

Entry-level DSLR

$447 - $740 with 18-55mm lens
Lowest price Is slightly less expensive
Thickness Is thinner
External mic jack Lacks and external mic jack
True resolution Takes slightly lower resolution photos
Compare the D3100 vs the D3200
Compare the D3100 vs the D5100
Canon Rebel T4i

Canon Rebel T4i

Entry-level DSLR

$580 - $799 body only

$740 - $899 with 18-55mm lens
Light sensitivity Slightly higher maximum light sensitivity
Touch screen Has a touch screen
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is slightly heavier
Compare the Rebel T4i vs the D3200
Compare the Rebel T4i vs the D5100
Nikon D90

Nikon D90

Entry-level DSLR

$600 - $899 body only

$740 - $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 D3200
Compare the D90 vs the D5100
Nikon D7000

Nikon D7000

Entry-level DSLR

$897 body only

$997 with 18-105mm lens
Viewfinder size Significantly larger viewfinder
Weather sealed Has a weather sealed body
Lowest price Is significantly more expensive
Weight Is much heavier
Compare the D7000 vs the D3200
Compare the D7000 vs the D5100
Canon EOS 60D

Canon EOS 60D

Pro DSLR

$649 - $968 body only

$949 - $1,182 with 18-135mm lens
Viewfinder size Slightly larger viewfinder
Weather sealed Has a weather sealed body
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the EOS 60D vs the D3200
Compare the EOS 60D vs the D5100

Nikon D3200 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Nikon D3200.

Nikon D5100 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

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

appearance

Nikon D3200 Nikon D5100
Nikon D3200 Nikon D5100
Nikon D3200 Nikon D5100

discussion

Showing 25 comments

P.Sur (11:46 AM, June 17, 2013)
no.. D3200 has just better image resolution. Nothing more.. The overall quality is much better in D5100. I have a D5100 and One of my friend just bought D3200. I handled both. Doth are too good but D5100 got better performance.
 
Vik (3:22 PM, June 13, 2013)
d3200 is better then the d5100
 
Avatar for Mohamed Atef Mohamed Atef (10:56 AM, June 01, 2013)
yes i Agree with u only 16 MP and it is alegand
 
Avatar for Mohamed Atef Mohamed Atef (10:55 AM, June 01, 2013)
I'll say 1 thing

if the Megapixel is much important why the legend D7000 has only 16 MP
also the battery is much better on D5100
 
HITMAN (3:31 PM, May 13, 2013)
I am planning to buy a camera between 20 thousand and 35 thousand i am in a little bit of confusion which one to buy please help (i am considering the sony dsc hx 300 and the nikon d3200) if u have better options please tell
 
Avatar for ebookout ebookout (3:12 PM, April 28, 2013)
Just got d3200, Love it. Shutting Rodeo pictures last night and came out great, No blur! Easy to learn!
 
brochacho (4:08 PM, April 25, 2013)
Megapixels isn't everything.
 
Avatar for sandy sandy (2:39 AM, March 17, 2013)
n also d hdr.... will it allow the d5100 to capture realy better images than the d3200...again considering it has a lesser resolution of 8mp n just a point diff in d image quality...? what is d actual benifit of having d hdr facility...?
 
Shawn2571 (9:51 PM, March 11, 2013)
If you are are cropping your photos for extreme close ups that is where you need the extra megapixels!
 
nunomrsa (1:12 AM, March 07, 2013)
although d3200 has wider dynamic range (13,2 vs 13 on D5100), does it produce pictures as these??

http://www.hdrland.com/page/3

i'm only asking this because above, on the specs d5100 "Has in-camera HDR" and d3200 doesn't and i'm worried about being able or not to do this kind of pictures on d3200...
i know there are several software's that can merge 3 pictures taken on different EV's into one to make a picture that simulates "in-camera HDR" but, will i get the same result? this is the only thing that is stopping me from buying a 3200 tomorrow... lol...
 
Avatar for japastor japastor (5:21 AM, March 01, 2013)
I bought the D3200, and after looking at the D5200 I'd make the same choice again. Nothing in the D5200 spec looks substantially better -- the flip screen isn't worth even $100 to me -- and I believe that the D3200 does full HD video (not that I care about that anyway). The extra focus points and filter effects are trivial. The D3200 still rocks in my estimation, and I made use of the extra money I'd have spent on a D5200 by upgrading from a Canon Pixma Pro-10 printer to the Pro-1.
 
Avatar for japastor japastor (5:18 AM, March 01, 2013)
BTW, Adorama has the D3200 refurb for an insane $499 -- add a 3-year Mack Diamond warranty, and you have protection against defects AND accidental damage for less than $600.
 
Avatar for Bill Bill (4:39 AM, March 01, 2013)
If you want the 24 MP and a flipout screen, take a look at the D5200 camera. It is an awesome camera that has all the features you want. However, it is about $300 more in cost. The D3200 will provide the same quality product in the end, but you will not have the flip screen. I compared the two in a review between the D3200 vs the D5200 cameras. I think you will like to see the differences.
 
Avatar for Bill Bill (4:34 AM, March 01, 2013)
The movie mode on the D3200 is great because it has full time auto focus, true HD 1080 video and stereo sound. I think you will love it.
 
Avatar for Bill Bill (4:30 AM, March 01, 2013)
I loved the D3100 and have moved to the D3200. I did a review of the two a couple weeks ago. My finding was the D3100 does a solid job but I moved to the D3200 because of the new advantages it brings to the table.
 
Bill (4:26 AM, March 01, 2013)
Hi ... I prefer the D3200 because it has many of the pro abilities (Expeed3, 24meg CMOS, and lenses). I made a comparison between the two cameras a few weeks ago. I think for the price you would love the D3200>
 
sandy (2:11 AM, February 26, 2013)
hey guys.... im just geting into photography....n i realy want a flipout screen.... but should i aslo consider the 24mp vs 16mp difference....im asking coz ther is onli 1 point difference in the image quality between these two cameras...? plz help
 
Avatar for japastor japastor (1:07 AM, January 16, 2013)
D7000 is a BIG step up -- in price -- and you still only get 16 MP.
 
Avatar for japastor japastor (1:04 AM, January 16, 2013)
Prices for body + basic lens are the same at most stores as of 1/15/2013. Don't minimize the importance of the extra 8 MP on the D3200, and consider how often you'd really use the swivel viewfinder: I'm almost certainly going to go for the D3200, because I can count on one hand the number of times I'd pop the prism on my old Nikon F-series bodies to shoot high or low -- but I do a lot of shooting of artwork that's too large to be scanned, and the 24 MP is going to do much better for me than 16. I know this because I'm using a 15 MP camera now, and it's just not enough.
 
vhysaint (4:19 PM, December 23, 2012)
im confused...which to buy D3200 or D5100?
ill not use it as for profession but just for a hobby...tnx.
 
Avatar for Dian Ali Dian Ali (1:20 AM, December 06, 2012)
d90
 
lens tips (8:05 AM, December 05, 2012)
The kit zooms are handy and give pretty wide angle @ 18mm, so maybe think about 35mm f1.8 AF-S (DX) or 50mm f1.8 AF-S to go with the zoom, or even 85mm f1.8 AF-S for portraits. These lenses have a significantly larger maximum aperture and when focused properly, better sharpness, color rendition and clarity than practically any, even pro zooms. Larger maximum aperture is great for more selective focus and allows shooting night shots at fast shutter speeds with less noise.
 
Binayak (5:09 AM, November 28, 2012)
guyz plz help me out....im still confusd....plz comment dat whch ds;r is bettr nd handy..Nikon d5100 or Nikon d3200
 
Avatar for Satyam Joshi Satyam Joshi (2:08 PM, October 13, 2012)
You have made good choice.Don't regret.You have made your investment already.They are not much different only difference is swivel screen that d5100 has and just 1 point more in color depth (d3200) >I don't find any difference in results of both.Rather be content that you bought the latest.
 
Avatar for Satyam Joshi Satyam Joshi (2:06 PM, October 13, 2012)
I will say mere change in 1 point doesn't make d3200 better than d5100.Both are great but why should you spend more bucks when you get same thing in few bucks cheaper.Go for d5100.Rather,Invest on lens !