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differences
Advantages of the Nikon D5100
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920k dots vs 230k dots
80.0 vs 67.0
13 EV vs 11.3 EV
1,183 ISO vs 919 ISO
Yes vs No
Yes vs No
Yes vs No
23.5 bits vs 22.5 bits
1080p @ 30fps vs 1080p @ 24fps
4 fps vs 3 fps
16.1 MP vs 14.2 MP
660 shots vs 550 shots
25,600 ISO vs 12,800 ISO
6,400 ISO vs 3,200 ISO
 | Learn more about the Nikon D5100 |
Advantages of the Nikon D3100
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124x96x73 mm vs 127x96x78 mm
2.9" vs 3.1"
400 ms vs 500 ms
$239.69 vs $349.00
505 g vs 560 g
 | Learn more about the Nikon D3100 |
recommendations
Which camera do we recommend? Relative to the best recent entry-level DSLRs, and ignoring price
similarities
Compared to recent entry-level DSLRs
Common Strengths
 | Many lenses available |
| 205 lenses |
| Focus continuously recording movies |
| Makes it easy to get in-focus movies |
| Inexpensive | |||
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Common Weaknesses
 | Slow max shutter speed |
| 1/4000 of a second |
 | Below average viewfinder coverage |
| 95% |
 | Few cross-type focus points |
| 1 |
| Slow continuous shooting | |||
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| Capture low resolution images | |||
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| Below average viewfinder size |
| 0.51x |
| Poor maximum light sensitivity | |||
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 | Significant shutter lag | |||
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 | No image stabilization |
| Risk of blur |
 | Few focus points |
| 11 |
 | Neither is weather sealed |
| Need to shelter it from weather |
 | No touchscreens |
| More buttons |
| Full HD (1080p) video | |||
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competitors
Shared Competitors
Advantages
Disadvantages
Nikon D3200
Entry-level DSLR
$309 - $527 body only
$389 - $447 with 18-55mm lens
| Takes much higher resolution photos |
| Is thicker |
Canon Rebel T3i
Entry-level DSLR
$499 - $550 body only
$550 - $620 with 18-55mm lens
| Has a slightly higher resolution screen |
| Takes slightly higher resolution photos |
| Is significantly more expensive |
| Is thicker |
Nikon D5200
Entry-level DSLR
$480 - $547 body only
$499 - $647 with 18-55mm lens
| Records higher quality movies |
| Takes much higher resolution photos |
| Is significantly more expensive |
| Is thicker |
Nikon D3300
Entry-level DSLR
$397 body only
$429 - $497 with 18-55mm lens
| Is slightly less noisy at high ISO |
| Records higher quality movies |
| Is slightly more expensive |
| Is thicker |
Canon EOS Rebel T5
Entry-level DSLR
$449 - $450 with 18-55mm lens
| Takes slightly higher resolution photos |
| Is slightly more expensive |
| Is thicker |
Nikon D90
Entry-level DSLR
$661 body only
$900 with 18-55mm lens
| Much larger viewfinder |
| Has higher quality type of viewfinder |
| Is much more expensive |
| Is thicker |
Canon Rebel T3
Entry-level DSLR
$349 - $380 body only
$399 - $429 with 18-55mm lens
| Is slightly more expensive |
| Is thicker |
Nikon D5100 Competitors
Advantages
Disadvantages
No significant competitors found that are specific to the Nikon D5100.
Nikon D3100 Competitors
Advantages
Disadvantages
No significant competitors found that are specific to the Nikon D3100.
appearance
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discussion
D5100
Nikon
Report a correction D3100
Nikon
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Showing 25 comments
Please suggest a better one
Stick with the kit lens to start, and then look to upgrade using our sister site LensHero.com.
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!
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
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.
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!
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)
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.
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?
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)