Compare the Nikon D5100 vs the Nikon D3100

D5100

Nikon

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D3100

Nikon

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faybe44

(2:43 PM, October 16, 2013)

I need help looking to buy my first DSLR and i am torn between the D3100, the D5100 and the D5200 i mainly want to use it for family shots and wildlife any advice on which is better and which lenses would be much appriciated

Ishu Shab

(8:03 AM, September 23, 2013)

Which is more better nikon d5100 or d 3200 or canon 1100d wth 55mm-105mm lens. ...
Please suggest a better one

irish

(2:26 AM, July 03, 2013)

very nice shot

TeachingMama

(4:23 AM, August 17, 2012)

Trying to decide which would be the best camera for my needs. I have only used simple point and shoot cameras thus far. The majority of my pictures are of children, pets, family gatherings, etc. Between the D3100 and the D5100, Costco is offering decent packages for either camera. Which camera would you recommend for my needs? Thanks!

Snapsort

(9:35 PM, July 05, 2012)

Snapsort recommends the D5100 or D3200, both are good cameras, the D3200 is more beginner friendly.

Stick with the kit lens to start, and then look to upgrade using our sister site LensHero.com.

(9:22 PM, July 05, 2012)

Hii Snapsort....i want 2 buy DSLR.. as beginrs wht will u suggest D3100 or D5100? also suggest what kind of lense shall i buy wth camera? my photography based on nature ! kindly sugst me as early as possible......rgds......mb

moloy

(9:10 PM, July 05, 2012)

werner hiii.....i am willingly to buy DSLR..what will u suggest D3100 or D5100?

Anupamr48

(10:01 AM, April 26, 2012)

Finally got my D5100 last week!! Superb camera! Thank you Snapsort for all the help.
Your comparisons and detailing helped me a lot during my camera research.

For those who are stuck between D3100 and D5100, here's what i have to say:

Buy the D5100. You'll outgrow D3100 faster + 1 reason that says all- Better picture quality!

Patrick

(5:19 AM, March 30, 2012)

I was a complete novice to photography but chose the D5100. Absolutely awesome camera, auto mode is great for starting and then just fiddle around until you're happy. I love it!!

Anupamr48

(6:11 AM, March 29, 2012)

Till yesterday, i was quite sure to buy d3100. Then came into picture this d5100 which seemingly is better of the two. I have the budget to buy d5100. All i want to know is that, is d5100 worth the extra Rs. 10k ill put into it? Also for a complete begineer Guide Mode of d3100 is an attractive thing.

agrawalbharat87

(7:01 AM, February 27, 2012)

have been using the D3100 for more than 6 months..have also used a D5100..

i find the interface of d3100 as compared to d5100..it makes my image clicking experience so awesome, which d5100 comes no where close to..

and i would anyday choose the better interface over "slight" improvement in image quality, iso et al..

cheers,
bharat

The_Badger

(4:39 AM, February 02, 2012)

I feel soo retarded! I bought the D3100 5 months ago. Not very long ago the prices dropped. Now I can get a D5100 for the price of a D3100 at that time.

Ebpaul23

(1:47 AM, January 10, 2012)

Hi Snapsort! I have heard nothing but great things about the D3100 but after reading a number of reviews on multiple sites regarding shutter issues I am a little worried. Is this a common problem in Nikons?

Usmankhalids

(7:20 AM, December 19, 2011)

i bought the same in 899 from best buy

ant.con

(9:52 AM, December 12, 2011)

5100 o 3100 questo il dilemma elp me

avi chatterjee

(1:39 PM, November 24, 2011)

Hi Smithson,

Please can u put some more light on the issue as I am bit confused in buying 3100 and put the xtra bucks on glass.

Kflucker

(7:14 PM, November 17, 2011)

First off, this website is exactly what I needed. Great site.

Good point! Initally I had my heart on the D3100 but did more research on the D5100 and confused myself (so to speak). So my question is, if money wasn't a factor which camera should one purchase?

I ask that because I found that Costco has the D3100 with 18-55mm VR Lens + 55-200mm VR Lens, Training Pack Bundle, Two Training DVDs, Case and 4GB SD Card for $699. Like I said, I was set on that until I researched the D5100 and found out that Costco also has for the D5100 with 18-55mm and 55-300mm VR lenses, case, 4G 30MB SD card, dvd and guide for $950 which seems to be a GREAT deal given that 300mm is almost $400 by itself.

So for the $250 extra is it no question that I should get the D5100 package as described above?

Do any cameras come close to the D5100? I saw the D7000 but that is out of my price range right now. Hell the D5100 is pushing it but seems worth it from a value perspective.

Hopefully with classes, perfect practice and skill, the camera will pay for itself down the line regardless of which I get.

Thank so much to all that reply.

PS. Sweet pic!

Jassy

(2:42 PM, November 07, 2011)

I love taking beach,sunset photos which when is better I saw some comments and the said d3100 had better quality is this true?

Werner

(4:47 PM, October 18, 2011)

I recently got the D3100... My opinion is that: 1. the most expensive part is and always will be the Lens you use. 2. The price vs photo quality ration between entry level and mid range is not enough to spend the money...(save your money for a decent lens)
unless you are comparing between entry and pro then (well you would not be here looking for info).

Conclusion: Today's entry level Nikon's are way better than 3 year old (or even less) pro level body's. So if you buy the best (expensive) today how long will it be that you see a new entry level at half the price that out performs yours!!

Buy entry level and IF (and when) you become a better photographer then what your camera can offer...(by better I mean you are very comfortable to shoot your DSLR in manual and know what to expect)

This was shot with a D3100 and the kit lens 18-55mm (5 pics stitched)

Snapsort

(11:51 PM, October 11, 2011)

Hi Gilgapro, the pixel sizes for the D5100 and D3100 are 22.9 microns and 25.1 microns, see our specs page

Gilgapro

(11:49 PM, October 11, 2011)

and the d5100 sensor is larger than the d3100 take a look at the specs.

Gilgapro

(11:48 PM, October 11, 2011)

what are you talking about the d5100 sensor and pixel size is 16.1 and the d3100 is 14.2

marquitablogs

(6:55 PM, October 04, 2011)

so how is this debate coming along? iam also confused about this. i will be getting a dslr soon. and i am set to get a nikon but now choosing between

d3100 - i like the price and sample photos tried it at the shop and feel happy with it.
d5100- at the middle, not entry level and said to have room for upgrades. i am doubtful about image quality, is it far better than d3100??
d90- so costly but will then have more flexibility when i want to upgrade lens.

help me! i just really want to take photos for product shots such as bags, shoes and clothes in white bg and probably with a model or two. i do not plan to upgrade someday i just need decent pix clear enough to sell my items and also be good enough for our tarpaulin advertisement printing.

Reem

(0:33 PM, October 03, 2011)

Hello Franz,

I noticed you mentioned you had both a D3100 and a D5100! I am new to digital SLR photography and decided to buy my
very first camera.

I’m aware of the differences between the D3100 and the
D5100 that sites and reviews are listing, but actually I’m a little confused which one I should start with! And since
you have both, I believe you’ll know better what obvious differences are really there, and maybe you're the best to advise me! I also thougt about the D90 and got myself even more confused!!!

I had an idea that maybe I can go with the
D3100 if there are no REAL differences, and invest more in lenses? What do you
think?

Franz

(0:08 AM, September 20, 2011)

Hi John
I use the Nikon Nikkor AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR on both my nikon d3100 and d5100 and use mainly for action shots of aircraft and find it very good and very stable even at 300

cheers Franz (Australia)

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Nikon D5100

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Nikon D3100

Reasons to buy the Nikon D5100

Reasons to buy the Nikon D3100

recommendations

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

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Advantages of the Nikon D5100

Advantages of the Nikon D3100

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Which camera do we recommend? Relative to the best recent entry-level DSLRs, and ignoring price

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Compared to recent entry-level DSLRs

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Nikon D3200

Canon Rebel T3i

Nikon D5200

Canon Rebel T3

Nikon D90

Nikon D3300

Nikon D7000

Nikon D5100 Competitors

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Nikon D3000

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Showing 25 comments