Updated (October, 2012): Compare the Nikon D5200 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

Nikon D5100
Winner
Nikon D5100

99

vs
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

34
 
 
 
 

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
HDR
 In-camera HDR
Combines multiple exposures
 

Reasons to buy the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

Screen flips out
 Flip-out screen
Great for movies
Movie continuous focus
 Movie continuous focus
Makes it easy to get in-focus movies
Badge
 Autofocuses shooting video
Contrast detection
Badge
 Built-in focus motor
Autofocuses with more lenses
 
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
Screen resolution Significantly higher resolution screen 920k dots vs 460k dots
Help
 2x higher resolution screen
Overall image quality Better image quality 80.0 vs 64.0
Help
 Around 30% better image quality
Lens availability Much more lenses available 169 lenses vs 26 lenses
Help
 6.5x more lenses available
HDR Has in-camera HDR Yes vs No
Help
 Combines multiple exposures to capture high dynamic range
Startup delay Significantly less startup delay 500 ms vs 1800 ms
Help
 3.6x less delay when turning on
Battery life Significantly longer battery life 660 shots vs 320 shots
Help
 More than 2x more shots per battery charge
Dynamic range More dynamic range 13 EV vs 11.6 EV
Help
 1.4 f-stops more dynamic range
Color depth Better color depth 23.5 bits vs 21.6 bits
Help
 Distinguishes 1.9 more bits of color
True resolution Higher true resolution 16.1 MP vs 12 MP
Help
 Capture more than 30% more detail in your photos
Sensor size Larger sensor APS-C 23.6x15.6mm vs Four thirds 17.3x13.0mm
Help
 More than 60% larger sensor
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 6,400 ISO vs 1,600 ISO
Help
 The D5100's maximum light sensitivity is 2 f-stops better
Sensor cleaning Has a self cleaning sensor Yes vs No
Help
 Removes dust from the sensor automatically, avoiding spots in photos
Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO 1,183 ISO vs 772 ISO
Help
 The D5100 has a slight edge (0.6 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
Light sensitivity (boost) Better boost ISO 25,600 ISO vs 3,200 ISO
Help
 The D5100's boost ISO is 3 f-stops better
Lowest price Significantly cheaper $496.95 vs $1,890.00
Help
 The best price we've seen is $1,393 cheaper (3.8x less)
Viewfinder Has an optical viewfinder Pentamirror vs Digital
Help
 Optical viewfinders save battery life and are more detailed
Continuous shooting Shoots slightly faster 4 fps vs 3 fps
Help
 More than 30% faster continuous shooting
Shutter lag Slightly less shutter lag 273 ms vs 336 ms
Help
 Around 20% less delay when taking photos
Nikon D5100 Learn more about
the Nikon D5100

Advantages of the Panasonic DMC-GH1
Lens focus motor Has a built-in focus motor Yes vs No
Help
 Autofocuses with all autofocus lenses
Size Slightly smaller 124x90x76 mm vs 127x96x78 mm
Help
 More than 10% smaller
Focus points More focus points 23 vs 11
Help
 Set focus accurately within the frame
Weight Lighter 430 g vs 560 g
Help
 More than 20% lighter
Longest exposure Longer exposures 60s vs 30s
Help
 2x longer exposures
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 Learn more about
the Panasonic DMC-GH1
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent digital cameras, and ignoring price

Nikon D5100 Nikon D5100
99 vs 34
Explain scores
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1
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 mirrorless interchangeable-lens.

similarities

Compared to recent digital cameras

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Supports 24p Both support 24p, which is uncommon in cameras similar to these Help
For that film look
Screen flips out Flip-out screens Help
Great for movies
Interchangeable lenses Both support interchangeable lenses, which is uncommon in cameras similar to these Help
Many lenses to choose from
Movie continuous focus Focus continuously recording movies Help
Makes it easy to get in-focus movies
Supports RAW Supports RAW Help
Better editing
Sensor size Large sensors Help
D5100:APS-C 23.6x15.6mm
DMC-GH1:Four thirds 17.3x13.0mm
External flash Support external flash Help
Better lighting
Viewfinder Viewfinders Help
D5100:Pentamirror
DMC-GH1:Digital
Sensor type Better sensor types Help
Better in low light
Fastest shutter speed Fast max shutter speeds Help
1/4000 of a second
Thickness Quite thick Help
D5100:3.1"
DMC-GH1:3"
Weight Heavy Help
D5100:560 g
DMC-GH1:430 g
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur
Panorama Neither camera stitches together panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
Cross type focus points Few cross-type focus points Help
D5100:1
DMC-GH1:0
3D Neither camera can take 3D photos Help
No 3d support
Size Large Help
D5100:127x96x78 mm
DMC-GH1:124x90x76 mm

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Canon Rebel T3i

Canon Rebel T3i

Entry-level DSLR

$549 body only

$595 - $599 with 18-55mm lens
Weight Is slightly heavier
Autofocus Lacks autofocus
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the D5100
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the Lumix DMC-GH1
Nikon D3100

Nikon D3100

Entry-level DSLR

$447 - $740 with 18-55mm lens
Screen flips out Doesn't have a screen which flips out
Screen resolution Has a slightly lower resolution screen
Compare the D3100 vs the D5100
Compare the D3100 vs the Lumix DMC-GH1
Canon Rebel T4i

Canon Rebel T4i

Entry-level DSLR

$580 - $799 body only

$740 - $899 with 18-55mm lens
Light sensitivity Slightly higher maximum light sensitivity
Touch screen Has a touch screen
Weight Is slightly heavier
Dynamic range Has slightly narrower dynamic range
Compare the Rebel T4i vs the D5100
Compare the Rebel T4i vs the Lumix DMC-GH1
Nikon D7000

Nikon D7000

Entry-level DSLR

$897 body only

$997 with 18-105mm lens
Weather sealed Has a weather sealed body
Viewfinder size Slightly larger viewfinder
Weight Is significantly heavier
Screen flips out Doesn't have a screen which flips out
Compare the D7000 vs the D5100
Compare the D7000 vs the Lumix DMC-GH1
Canon EOS 60D

Canon EOS 60D

Pro DSLR

$649 - $968 body only

$949 - $1,182 with 18-135mm lens
Weather sealed Has a weather sealed body
Viewfinder size Slightly larger viewfinder
Weight Is significantly heavier
Autofocus Lacks autofocus
Compare the EOS 60D vs the D5100
Compare the EOS 60D vs the Lumix DMC-GH1
Canon EOS Rebel T2i

Canon Rebel T2i

Entry-level DSLR

$540 body only

$638 with 18-55mm lens
Autofocus Lacks autofocus
Screen flips out Doesn't have a screen which flips out
Compare the Rebel T2i vs the D5100
Compare the Rebel T2i vs the Lumix DMC-GH1
Canon Rebel T3

Canon Rebel T3

Entry-level DSLR

$328 body only

$449 with 18-55mm lens
Autofocus Lacks autofocus
Screen flips out Doesn't have a screen which flips out
Compare the Rebel T3 vs the D5100
Compare the Rebel T3 vs the Lumix DMC-GH1

Nikon D5100 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon D3200

Nikon D3200

Entry-level DSLR

$547 with 18-55mm lens
True resolution Much higher true resolution
Size Slightly smaller
Screen flips out Screen does not flip out
HDR Lacks in-camera HDR
Compare the D3200 vs the D5100
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
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

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$2,099 with 14-140mm lens
External mic jack Has an external mic jack
Touch screen Has a touch screen
Overall image quality Slightly worse image quality
Color depth Worse color depth
Compare the Lumix DMC-GH2 vs the Lumix DMC-GH1
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$598 body only

$498 with 14-42mm lens
Image stabilization Image stabilization
Screen resolution Significantly higher resolution screen
Supports 24p No 24p support
Overall image quality Slightly worse image quality
Compare the Lumix DMC-G5 vs the Lumix DMC-GH1
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$234 - $235 body only

$419 with 14-42mm lens
Touch screen Has a touch screen
Size Significantly smaller
Supports 24p No 24p support
Screen flips out Screen does not flip out
Compare the Lumix DMC-GX1 vs the Lumix DMC-GH1
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$1,298 body only

$2,599 with 12-35mm lens
Screen type Has an OLED screen
Image stabilization Image stabilization
Size Larger
Weight Heavier
Compare the Lumix DMC-GH3 vs the Lumix DMC-GH1
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$491 body only
Touch screen Has a touch screen
3D Takes 3D photos
Supports 24p No 24p support
Overall image quality Worse image quality
Compare the Lumix DMC-G3 vs the Lumix DMC-GH1

appearance

Nikon D5100 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1
Nikon D5100 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1
Nikon D5100 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

discussion

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