Nikon
D5100
 vs
Nikon
D90

Updated (April, 2011): Compare the Nikon D5100 vs Nikon D7000

Nikon D5100

76
Winner

Nikon D5100
"Judged on its own merits the D5100 is a great camera, but we're concerned that an enthusiastic beginner might outgrow it faster than some of the competition."
dpreview.com | talking about the D5100's overall-performance
"Image quality is definitely the D5100's trump card. It offers effectively the same image quality as the higher-end D7000, at a lower cost."
dpreview.com | talking about the D5100's image-quality

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
Color depth
 Great color depth
23.5 bits
Dynamic range
 Wide dynamic range
13 EV
Screen flips out
 Flip-out screen
Great for movies
HDR
 In-camera HDR
Combines multiple exposures
Nikon D90

70
Runner-up

Nikon D90
"Fast Autofocus with useful control options"
dpreview.com | talking about the D90's auto-focus
"The D90 feels very comfortable and natural, with a good grip and logical, ergonomic, button placement."
dpreview.com | talking about the D90's feel

Reasons to buy the Nikon D90

Dynamic range
 Wide dynamic range
12.5 EV
Viewfinder size
 Large viewfinder
0.63x
Startup delay
 Almost no delay when powering up
300 ms startup delay
Sensor size
 Large sensor
APS-C 23.6x15.8mm
Shutter lag
 Barely any delay taking photos
208 ms shutter lag
Battery life
 Great battery life
850 shots

differences

Advantages of the Nikon D5100
Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO 1,183 ISO vs 977 ISO
Help
 The D5100 has a slight edge (0.3 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
Overall image quality Better image quality 80.0 vs 73.0
Help
 Around 10% better image quality
Movie format Higher resolution movies 1080p @ 30fps vs 720p @ 24fps
Help
 Shoots higher resolution Full HD (1080p) video at a higher frame rate
External mic jack Has an external mic jack Yes vs No
Help
 Record high quality audio with an external microphone
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
HDR Has in-camera HDR Yes vs No
Help
 Combines multiple exposures to capture high dynamic range
Color depth Better color depth 23.5 bits vs 22.7 bits
Help
 Distinguishes 0.8 more bits of color
True resolution Significantly higher true resolution 16.1 MP vs 12.2 MP
Help
 Capture more than 30% more detail in your photos
Autofocus Video autofocus Contrast detection vs None
Help
 Automatically focuses shooting video
Light sensitivity (boost) Better boost ISO 25,600 ISO vs 6,400 ISO
Help
 The D5100's boost ISO is 2 f-stops better
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
Dynamic range More dynamic range 13 EV vs 12.5 EV
Help
 0.5 f-stops more dynamic range
Size Smaller 127x96x78 mm vs 132x103x77 mm
Help
 Around 10% smaller
Weight Significantly lighter 560 g vs 703 g
Help
 More than 20% lighter
Lowest price Cheaper $499.99 vs $896.95
Help
 The best price we've seen is $397 cheaper (more than 40% less)
Nikon D5100 Learn more about
the Nikon D5100

Advantages of the Nikon D90
Viewfinder size Significantly larger viewfinder 0.63x vs 0.51x
Help
 More than 50% larger viewfinder
Shutter lag Less shutter lag 208 ms vs 273 ms
Help
 More than 20% less delay when taking photos
Battery life Longer battery life 850 shots vs 660 shots
Help
 Around 30% more shots per battery charge
Lens focus motor Has a built-in focus motor Yes vs No
Help
 Autofocuses with all autofocus lenses
Viewfinder Has a pentaprism viewfinder Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
Help
 Pentaprism viewfinders are typically brighter
Startup delay Less startup delay 300 ms vs 500 ms
Help
 40% less delay when turning on
Continuous shooting Shoots slightly faster 4.5 fps vs 4 fps
Help
 More than 10% faster continuous shooting
Viewfinder coverage Better viewfinder coverage 96% vs 95%
Help
 Almost the same
Sensor size Slightly larger sensor APS-C 23.6x15.8mm vs APS-C 23.6x15.6mm
Help
 Almost the same
Thickness Slightly thinner 3" vs 3.1"
Help
 Almost the same
Nikon D90 Learn more about
the Nikon D90
vs

recommendations

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

Nikon D5100 Nikon D5100
76 vs 70
Explain scores
Nikon D90 Nikon D90
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Nikon D5100.

advice

Need help deciding?

Ask the community!
I am considering either the D5100 or the D90,
For example: Taking photos in low light or great family photos or ability to take great photos underwater

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similarities

Compared to recent entry-level DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Low light performance Relatively low noise at high ISO Help
D5100:1,183 ISO
D90:977 ISO
Dynamic range Good dynamic range Help
D5100:13 EV
D90:12.5 EV
Lens availability Many lenses available Help
169 lenses
Screen resolution High resolution screens Help
D5100:920k dots
D90:930k dots
Supports 24p 24p support Help
For that film look
Startup delay Minimal startup delay Help
D5100:500 ms
D90:300 ms
Fastest shutter speed Slow max shutter speed Help
1/4000 of a second
Storage slots Fewer storage slots Help
1
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur
Cross type focus points Few cross-type focus points Help
1
Panorama Neither camera stitches together panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
3D Neither camera can take 3D photos Help
No 3d support
Light sensitivity Poor maximum light sensitivity Help
D5100:6,400 ISO
D90:3,200 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

$619 - $700 body only

$745 - $1,000 with 18-55mm lens
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Size Is slightly larger
Sensor size Has a slightly smaller sensor
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the D5100
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the D90
Nikon D3200

Nikon D3200

Entry-level DSLR

$699 - $700 with 18-55mm lens
True resolution Takes much higher resolution photos
Weight Is slightly lighter
Battery life Has a slightly shorter battery life
Compare the D3200 vs the D5100
Compare the D3200 vs the D90
Nikon D7000

Nikon D7000

Entry-level DSLR

$1,000 body only

$1,100 with 55-200mm lens
Weather sealed Has a weather sealed body
Continuous shooting Shoots faster continuously
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Weight Is significantly heavier
Compare the D7000 vs the D5100
Compare the D7000 vs the D90
Nikon D3100

Nikon D3100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $547 with 18-55mm lens
Size Is slightly smaller
Thickness Is thinner
Shutter lag Has slightly more shutter lag
Screen resolution Has a much lower resolution screen
Compare the D3100 vs the D5100
Compare the D3100 vs the D90
Canon EOS 60D

Canon EOS 60D

Pro DSLR

$848 - $1,304 body only

$1,177 - $1,342 with 18-135mm lens
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Battery life Has a slightly longer battery life
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Weight Is significantly heavier
Compare the EOS 60D vs the D5100
Compare the EOS 60D vs the D90
Canon EOS Rebel T2i

Canon Rebel T2i

Entry-level DSLR

$544 - $949 body only

$649 - $867 with 18-55mm lens
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Size Is significantly smaller
Sensor size Has a slightly smaller sensor
Shutter lag Has slightly more shutter lag
Compare the Rebel T2i vs the D5100
Compare the Rebel T2i vs the D90
Nikon D5000

Nikon D5000

Entry-level DSLR

$880 with 18-55mm lens
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Size Is slightly larger
Compare the D5000 vs the D5100
Compare the D5000 vs the D90

Nikon D5100 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

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

Nikon D90 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Nikon D90.

appearance

Nikon D5100 Nikon D90
Nikon D5100 Nikon D90
Nikon D5100 Nikon D90

discussion

Showing 25 comments

Yuman (4:29 AM, December 29, 2011)
i think d90 the besr
 
Avatar for Lasse Lasse (9:03 PM, December 23, 2011)
I have them booth and the D90 feels more professional and handles is much better then the d5100 and the lack of AF motor is a BIG disadvantage of the d5100.
 
dirk (6:23 PM, December 17, 2011)
how many shutter count can you get on a D90 and a D5100
Dirk
 
john (0:33 PM, December 17, 2011)
true the high iso shots are better and the image quality is same as the d7000 but why would you buy an entry level dslr  with 800+ dollars when the image quality is same as the d7000? As 'kman' said its about photography i agree with
him cause you dont need a 'food' mode or in built hdr when you are a serious photographer .if thats really important buy a point and shoot camera :)
 
Stevenjames487 (4:38 AM, December 17, 2011)
Here's a link to my flickr pics:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevenjamesphotography/
Photo's from the last year were taken with the D90, others with the D80 and an older Canon Digital Rebel.
The wedding photo's were scanned from prints that were taken with my medium format camera's back a few years ago in the good old film days.
Here's a few more examples.
*note the  pics below are lower resolution (~100k) as the ones posted on my flickr site although those are also compressed. They all look good on a computer monitor.
I hope these examples help. Just know that any of the Canon & Nikon DLSRs will produce great photo's as will plenty of other cameras but I have only worked with these.
 
Stevenjames487 (4:04 AM, December 17, 2011)
I've been in photography over 35 yrs and have owned everything from Hassleblad & Bronica to Canon & Nikon.
I'm currently on my third DSLR, a D90 and have no plans to get rid of it until at least 100,000 clicks. I sold my D80 for the added features of the D90. I could have purchased the D7000 (a very fine camera) or any other camera for that matter, cost not really an issue. I knew I would be happy with the D90 and after one year and over 9000 photo's I still feel this is the best DSLR for the money.
I'm using my spare cash to purchase quality lenses, the Nikon R1C1 (I love it!) and more Nikon SB900s (4 so far and 1 SB600).
Any of these camera's will produce great pictures and will be a joy to work with, much more than any point & shoot so don't lose any sleep. Buy one and get out there and shoot, shoot, shoot!
FWIW I have no interest at all in video with a DSLR, that's what my nice little Sony HD handycam is for. I also don't like "smart phones". I like the right tool for the job. I don't take photos or video or surf the web with my phone.
Here's a recent pic from my D90 and the nice DX 85mm Nikon micro (macro):
 
Avatar for adrian sugiarto adrian sugiarto (1:56 PM, December 13, 2011)
i love my D5100 :D
 
Fitzroy90 (5:54 PM, December 11, 2011)
i dont no which to choose. i am mostly gonna use the nikon to do videoing and i am confuse as to which one i should buy. weather it the nikon d90 or nikon d5100. i need help which one will do a better job at videoing? 
 
uanderson (1:49 AM, November 24, 2011)
NOT ONLY THE VIDEO IS BETTER BUT ALSO THE QUALITY OF THE PICTURES SINCE IT PRODUCES THE SAME QUALITY OF THE D7000. D90 IS A SUPERB CAMERA BUT IT´S IS GETTING OLD. OF COURSE IT PRODUCES WONDERFUL IMAGES, BUT CHECK THE QUALITY OF HIGH ISO SHOTS WITH THE D5100/D7000 AGAINST THE ONES PRODUCED BY THE D90.
 
Omprakash It (1:17 AM, September 13, 2011)
I would like to buy truly a profession camera and in this respect i have gone through EOS 550 D , NIKKON D 90 AND NIKKON D 5100 but still in doubt which has to buy i am thinking to buy D 90 please suggest me to buy best value of camera.
 
Avatar for phaboman phaboman (10:43 PM, September 07, 2011)
I would like to add though, that this is fine if some one only buys new lenses but this limits your choice of lenses if looking for used lenses. And amongst currently available lenses from Nikon, many AF-S versions tend to be a bit more expensive than AF versions (e.g., 50mm AF vs. 50mm AF-S). In lens focus motors are also not as common yet amongst third party lenses for Nikon, this probably wouldn't be the case 5 years from now though.
 
Avatar for phaboman phaboman (9:52 PM, September 07, 2011)
I'm in the Nikon camp, so I will recommend the D90 hands down. The D5100 advantage is in video and newer generation sensor and will have better image quality if you are very picky. The D90 sensor still isn't bad at all though, and will still outperform a T3i.

The D90 is a completely different animal from the D5100. The design of the D90 is what really sets it apart. Having two dials, a top LCD screen, and additional buttons really gives an advantage to the D90. In the D5100/D3100 changing anything as simple as ISO or white balance will require you to get into the menu system. I can do this blind on my D90, press a button, flick a wheel, much faster. It's a heavier camera, but it's much more nimble in that respect. Plus, as others have mentioned, having a focus motor will let you autofocus with a lot more lenses including older used lenses.

But to answer your question. Note that I don't know too much about the T3i so not including it in my comparison:
Color Depth: varies depending on ISO. DxO number will show that the D5100 is ahead, but if you look at the actual chart, that's only at ISO 100 which the D90 does not shoot at natively. At most ISOs, the advantage goes to D90, according to DxO at least.
Lens Compatibility: D90
Video Quality: D5100
Image Quality: D5100
 
Gozaine (4:33 PM, August 19, 2011)
You're right, you can not compare  a camera as the D90 with very much  professional functions with other camera the D5100  for to be  a new camera on the market or for to be   just marketing
 
Gozaine (4:32 PM, August 19, 2011)
You're right, you can not compare  a camera as the D90 with very much  professional functions with other camera the D5100  for to be  a new camera on the market or for to be   just marketing
 
Vipindvhss (5:16 PM, August 18, 2011)
go 4 d5100
 
Ew (11:42 AM, August 18, 2011)
Hi Snapsort,

I feel we should not be using the popularity at all as a comparison to do ranking.
Secondly, I feel the users are quite dumb! I cannot justify Nikon D90 getting less votes on the "Manual settings" (How quickly you can change settings).

D90 has tons of dedicated buttons, dials to change aperture val and shutter speed. D5100 does not even have an ISO button!

Rubbish voting i'd say!

Sorry to criticise. But these are my honest opinions. And this is also backed by the various reviews of D90 and D5100 on the internet. D90 is by far better than D5100.

Best Regards,
PhotoEnthu!
 
Ostrich02 (9:06 PM, August 14, 2011)
Ya, I have some people in my family who have a D90 who are extremely happy with the creative features. I'm still not quite sure what the D5100 has though.
 
Ostrich02 (9:03 PM, August 14, 2011)
I agree with you on those key features.
 
Ostrich02 (9:02 PM, August 14, 2011)
I'm really torn on whether to buy a D3100, D5100, D90, or a Canon Rebel T3i. Can anybody help me on which would be the best for these guidelines: Colour Depth, Lens Compatability, Video Quality, and Image Quality? Thanks
 
kman (7:31 AM, August 07, 2011)
i dont find any good reasons to compare d90 with d5100.Its photography what counts rather than doing videos. if you are really interested in doing videos buy a video camera -_-  d90 ftw! 
 
Mail2akb (5:59 AM, August 05, 2011)
I think one important aspect has been missed while comparing the two. The D90 has Depth of field preview which I feel is very important in favor of D90.
In favor of D5100, the Selective color feature is really good for special effects.
 
Zed (3:05 PM, July 19, 2011)
I see...hmm...so for u...which one is better either d90,d5100 or eos 600d??
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (3:00 PM, July 19, 2011)
Yes, thats correct.
 
Zed (3:00 PM, July 19, 2011)
so, if d5100 didnt have any focus motor and its lens have focus motor, it will function same like the dslr that have focus motor?
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (2:43 PM, July 19, 2011)
Hi Zed, we responded to a similar question from Clar below:

For a lot of people the lack of focus motor won't make any difference!  The only difference will be that the Nikon D5100 won't auto focus with older lenses, e.g. non AF-S lenses like the Nikon 50mm f/1.8D.  Most (or maybe all) new Nikon lenses are AF-S and will autofocus with the Nikon D5100.

Check out our sister site http://lenshero.com, you can use it to browse all lenses for the Nikon D5100 that have a focus motor for example.