Updated (January, 2013): Compare the Nikon D5200 vs Nikon Coolpix P520

Nikon D5100
Winner
Nikon D5100

99

vs
Nikon Coolpix P510

67

Nikon Coolpix P510
Runner-up
 
 
 
 

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
Sensor size
 Large sensor
APS-C 23.6x15.6mm
 

Reasons to buy the Nikon Coolpix P510

Image stabilization
 Image stabilization
Lens
Screen flips out
 Flip-out screen
Great for movies
HDR
 In-camera HDR
Combines multiple exposures
Panorama
 In-camera panoramas
Stitches together multiple photos into a panorama
 
Differences | Recommendations | Similarities | Competitors | Appearance | Discussion

differences

Advantages of the Nikon D5100
Autofocus Faster autofocus Phase detection vs Contrast detection
Help
 Catch candid moments easily
External mic jack Has an external mic jack Yes vs No
Help
 Record high quality audio with an external microphone
Supports 24p Supports 24p Yes vs No
Help
 Get that real film feel
Battery life Much longer battery life 660 shots vs 200 shots
Help
 Around 3.5x more shots per battery charge
Sensor size Significantly larger sensor APS-C 23.6x15.6mm vs 1/2.3" 6.2x4.6mm
Help
 More than 13x larger sensor
True resolution Significantly higher true resolution 16.1 MP vs 9.7 MP
Help
 Capture around 70% more detail in your photos
Interchangeable lenses Has interchangeable lenses Yes vs No
Help
 Can take advantage of a variety of lenses
Supports RAW Shoots RAW Yes vs No
Help
 Digitally develop your own photos with precise image control
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 6,400 ISO vs 3,200 ISO
Help
 The D5100's maximum light sensitivity is 1 f-stop better
External flash Supports an external flash Yes vs No
Help
 An external flash often produces better looking flash images
Thickness Thinner 3.1" vs 4"
Help
 More than 20% thinner
Size Slightly smaller 127x96x78 mm vs 120x83x102 mm
Help
 Around 10% smaller
Shutter lag Slightly less shutter lag 273 ms vs 380 ms
Help
 Around 30% less delay when taking photos
Viewfinder Has an optical viewfinder Pentamirror vs Digital
Help
 Optical viewfinders save battery life and are more detailed
Longest exposure Longer exposures 30s vs 8s
Help
 Around 4x longer exposures
Nikon D5100 Learn more about
the Nikon D5100

Advantages of the Nikon P510
Image stabilization Image stabilization Lens vs None
Help
 Helps eliminate blur caused by small camera movements
3D Takes 3D photos Yes vs No
Help
 Combines multiple photos into a 3D image
Panorama Can create panoramas in-camera Yes vs No
Help
 Stitches together multiple photos for a wide perspective
GPS Has a GPS Yes vs No
Help
 Automatically geotags your photos when traveling
Continuous shooting Shoots faster 7 fps vs 4 fps
Help
 Around 80% faster continuous shooting
Lowest price Slightly cheaper $345.00 vs $496.95
Help
 The best price we've seen is $152 cheaper (more than 30% less)
Nikon Coolpix P510 Learn more about
the Nikon P510
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent digital cameras, and ignoring price

Nikon D5100 Nikon D5100
99 vs 67
Explain scores
Nikon Coolpix P510 Nikon Coolpix P510
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 entry-level DSLR with a super zoom.

similarities

Compared to recent digital cameras

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Screen resolution High resolution screens Help
D5100:920k dots
P510:921k dots
Screen flips out Flip-out screens Help
Great for movies
HDR In-camera HDR Help
Combines multiple exposures
Viewfinder Viewfinders Help
D5100:Pentamirror
P510:Digital
Sensor type Better sensor types Help
Better in low light
Fastest shutter speed Fast max shutter speeds Help
1/4000 of a second
Weight Heavy Help
D5100:560 g
P510:555 g
Thickness Quite thick Help
D5100:3.1"
P510:4"
Size Large Help
D5100:127x96x78 mm
P510:120x83x102 mm

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon D3200

Nikon D3200

Entry-level DSLR

$547 with 18-55mm lens
True resolution Takes significantly higher resolution photos
HDR Lacks a built in HDR feature
Screen flips out Doesn't have a screen which flips out
Compare the D3200 vs the D5100
Compare the D3200 vs the Coolpix P510
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
HDR Lacks a built in HDR feature
Autofocus Lacks autofocus
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the D5100
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the Coolpix P510
Nikon D3100

Nikon D3100

Entry-level DSLR

$447 - $740 with 18-55mm lens
HDR Lacks a built in HDR feature
Screen flips out Doesn't have a screen which flips out
Compare the D3100 vs the D5100
Compare the D3100 vs the Coolpix P510
Canon PowerShot SX50 HS

Canon PowerShot SX50 HS

Super zoom

$369 - $450
Zoom Has much more zoom
Continuous shooting Shoots faster continuously
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the PowerShot SX50 HS vs the D5100
Compare the PowerShot SX50 HS vs the Coolpix P510
Canon Rebel T3

Canon Rebel T3

Entry-level DSLR

$328 body only

$449 with 18-55mm lens
Lens focus motor Has a built-in focus motor
HDR Lacks a built in HDR feature
Autofocus Lacks autofocus
Compare the Rebel T3 vs the D5100
Compare the Rebel T3 vs the Coolpix P510

Nikon D5100 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon D5200

Nikon D5200

Entry-level DSLR

$697 body only

$797 with 18-55mm lens
True resolution Significantly higher true resolution
Focus points More focus points
Battery life Shorter battery life
Lowest price Slightly more expensive
Compare the D5200 vs the D5100
Canon Rebel T4i

Canon Rebel T4i

Entry-level DSLR

$580 - $799 body only

$740 - $899 with 18-55mm lens
Lens focus motor Has a built-in focus motor
Touch screen Has a touch screen
Overall image quality Worse image quality
Dynamic range Less dynamic range
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
Lens focus motor Has a built-in focus motor
Viewfinder size Larger viewfinder
External mic jack Lacks an external mic jack
Screen flips out Screen does not flip out
Compare the D90 vs the D5100
Nikon D7000

Nikon D7000

Entry-level DSLR

$897 body only

$997 with 18-105mm lens
Lens focus motor Has a built-in focus motor
Weather sealed Weather sealed
Screen flips out Screen does not flip out
HDR Lacks in-camera HDR
Compare the D7000 vs the D5100

Nikon Coolpix P510 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon Coolpix P520

Nikon Coolpix P520

Super zoom

$427
Screen size Larger screen
Macro focus Better macro capability
HDR Lacks in-camera HDR
Size Slightly larger
Compare the Coolpix P520 vs the Coolpix P510
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX200V

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX200V

Super zoom

$348 - $478
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity
Aperture Wider aperture
Zoom Significantly less zoom
Weight Slightly heavier
Compare the Cyber-shot DSC-HX200V vs the Coolpix P510
Nikon Coolpix L820

Nikon Coolpix L820

Super zoom

$197 - $277
Size Smaller
Wide angle Slightly better wide angle
Zoom Significantly less zoom
Screen flips out Screen does not flip out
Compare the Coolpix L820 vs the Coolpix P510
Canon Powershot SX40

Canon Powershot SX40

Super zoom

$299 - $315
Supports 24p Supports 24p
Aperture Wider aperture
Screen resolution Much lower resolution screen
Zoom Less zoom
Compare the Powershot SX40 vs the Coolpix P510
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS

Canon PowerShot SX500 IS

Super zoom

$219 - $229
Size Smaller
Weight Lighter
Zoom Significantly less zoom
Screen resolution Significantly lower resolution screen
Compare the PowerShot SX500 IS vs the Coolpix P510

appearance

Nikon D5100 Nikon Coolpix P510
Nikon D5100 Nikon Coolpix P510
Nikon D5100 Nikon Coolpix P510

discussion

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