Compare the Nikon D5100 vs the Nikon D5200

Explore our gallery of 50 sample photos taken by the Nikon D5100.

Explore our gallery of 49 sample photos taken by the Nikon D5200.

Nikon D5200 Competitors

Nikon D5300

Entry-level DSLR

$394 body only

$500 - $510 with 18-55mm lens

	Significantly higher resolution screen
	Significantly larger screen

Compare the D5300 vs the D5200

Nikon D3300

Entry-level DSLR

$480 body only

$399 with 18-55mm lens

	Much higher true resolution
	Larger viewfinder
	Many fewer focus points

Compare the D3300 vs the D5200

Nikon D3400

Entry-level DSLR

$380 - $447 with 18-55mm lens

	Significantly longer battery life
	Larger viewfinder
	Many fewer focus points

Compare the D3400 vs the D5200

Nikon D5100 Competitors

Canon Rebel T3i

Entry-level DSLR

	Much higher true resolution
	Much higher resolution screen
	Larger

Compare the Rebel T3i vs the D5100

Nikon D5600

Entry-level DSLR

$530 - $597 body only

$569 - $647 with 18-55mm lens

	Much higher true resolution
	Lower frame rate movies

Compare the D5600 vs the D5100

Nikon D3200

Entry-level DSLR

$680 body only

$399 with 18-55mm lens

	Much higher true resolution
	Much cheaper
	Screen does not flip out

Compare the D3200 vs the D5100

D5200

Nikon

Report a correction

D5100

Nikon

Report a correction

Showing 21 comments

SV

(3:53 PM, December 20, 2014)

No , buy D3300 .

Skip

(1:05 PM, December 10, 2014)

I have a D3100 and looking to up grade. Is the D5100 that much better?
Will I notice the difference?

Bahaa

(6:51 PM, November 23, 2014)

I am an amateur photographer, what are the suitable lenses for D5100 if I am aiming to use it in family events like weddings and outdoor?

big long ding-a-ling

(6:27 PM, January 03, 2014)

yes

Vinayak SP

(7:29 AM, September 29, 2013)

LOL... D5100 have AF motor!
pbb.com

Anthony "stalker6recon"

(1:41 PM, August 27, 2013)

I hear a lot about the no focus motor, but dont see how that is a big issue. I bought the D5100, with a 18-55 vr, and the 70-300 package. Along with the D3200 with the 18-55 only. Both sets have lenses with focus motors, and the range covers everything a casual user will ever need. I bought a macro filter set, that works wonders, on either camera/lens combo. The photos of the D5100, are ten times better than my old D100, and I would not trade it the 5100 for 2 D100, ever.

If you are an enthusiast/amateur, the 5100 with the two lens kit, is basically all you will need.

Ai

(7:14 AM, July 28, 2013)

Canon IQ can't even compete with Nikon. 9 Cross type focus points can help you a lot in Low light and 39 focus points also useful in subject tracking. Apart from battery life everything is better on D5200.

Anuradha

(6:02 AM, July 09, 2013)

Don't get carried away with what's on the paper. Look how it's going to used in practical.
You got 39 focus points on D5200 and 11 on D5100. How often do you expect to see the difference between these two?
Having more cross type focus points is an advantage but worth the extra cost ???? Absolutely no.

About other specs, they are lot closer than you'd expect. Compare with parallel products of Canon and you'll see some improvements in picture quality. That's true because as mentioned, there is a considerable difference. But D5100 and D5200, Not that you're going to notice...

Akki

(3:07 PM, June 20, 2013)

apart from resolution many other specs also upgraded significantly like better image quality, 39 focus points, 9 cross type focus points whereas in 5100 its only 1, do u think still its not a worth upgrade

Philosophish

(6:13 PM, May 24, 2013)

Yes, correct, the comment was directed at the site maintainers, because the d5200 specs claimed "Lens Motor Yes" for the D5200.

abdulsami

(11:50 AM, April 10, 2013)

i think that d5100 is better because d5200 has only minor new upgrade accept the resolution and costing much
correct me if i am wrong

LCworld

(3:02 AM, April 09, 2013)

Neither does the D5100, I believe.

andyken

(8:52 AM, March 23, 2013)

DXO's dynamic range measurement for the D5100 is 13.6 EV, not 13.0, so 0.3 f stops difference, not 0.9.. The D5200 and D5100 are much closer in dynamic range than you make out.

Brad Higham

(5:21 PM, March 12, 2013)

Heello , I am wanting to buy one of these as a beginner , mainly for photography for landscapes and wanting to practice with water photography capturing movements ........

People refer to these cameras as beginner cameras , does that mean you can't take pro style images ,

I would like to make money out of my photos , are these cameras good enough ..

Thanks

ansi

(5:48 PM, February 02, 2013)

want to buy a dslr go for d5200 or d5100??

Rakesh Balakrishnan

(10:14 PM, January 21, 2013)

but the lenses are costly with focus motor. the lenses without focus motor are cheaper, so if your camera has one then you can buy more lenses for cheaper price. the price difference is very significant for high end lenses almost 50%

Marek Medved

(10:02 AM, December 20, 2012)

DXO mark results from D5200?

Ultima

(1:17 PM, December 18, 2012)

The D5200 is very expensive for such relatively minor upgrades. At that price I would rather go for a D7000.

Sasan

(4:08 AM, December 14, 2012)

The Nikon Co built focus motor in lens.

cata

(6:30 PM, November 09, 2012)

The Nikon D5200 does not have pentaprism witch is brigther. he have more cross-type focus points and a new sensor. but it is very expensive.

Garrett

(7:07 PM, November 07, 2012)

The Nikon D5200 does not have a built in auto focus motor...

Nikon D5200 vs Nikon D5100

Reasons to buy the Nikon D5200

Reasons to buy the Nikon D5100

galleries

competitors

Nikon D5200 Competitors

Nikon D5300

Nikon D3300

Nikon D3400

Nikon D5100 Competitors

Canon Rebel T3i

Nikon D5600

Nikon D3200

discussion

Showing 21 comments