Nikon D5100

100

Winner

Nikon D5100

"Sophisticated AF system for the price"
dpreview.com | talking about the D5100's auto-focus
"On the whole the D5100's movies are look great, with smooth motion and impressively low noise in dim light."
dpreview.com | talking about the D5100's video-quality

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
Movie continuous focus
Movie continuous focus
Makes it easy to get in-focus movies
External mic jack
External mic jack
Record higher quality audio with a microphone
Sony NEX C3

51

Runner-up

Sony NEX C3

Reasons to buy the Sony NEX C3

Size
Really small
Compact 110x60x33 mm
Light sensitivity
High ISO
12,800 ISO
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
3D
Takes 3D photos
View photos in 3D on 3D televisions

differences

Advantages of the Nikon D5100

Movie format Higher resolution movies 1080p @ 30fps vs 720p @ 30fps
Help
Shoots higher resolution Full HD (1080p) video
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
Lens availability Much more lenses available 169 lenses vs 8 lenses
Help
More than 21x more lenses available
Overall image quality Better image quality 80.0 vs 73.0
Help
Around 10% better image quality
Battery life Longer battery life 660 shots vs 400 shots
Help
Around 70% more shots per battery charge
Built-in flash Built-in flash Yes vs No
Help
A built-in flash is useful for taking indoor shots where there is little light
Viewfinder Has a viewfinder Pentamirror vs None
Help
A viewfinder can help save battery life by keeping the screen turned off
Startup delay Less startup delay 500 ms vs 1200 ms
Help
2.4x less delay when turning on
Dynamic range More dynamic range 13 EV vs 12.2 EV
Help
0.8 f-stops more dynamic range
Shutter lag Slightly less shutter lag 273 ms vs 430 ms
Help
Around 40% less delay when taking photos
Color depth Better color depth 23.5 bits vs 22.7 bits
Help
Distinguishes 0.8 more bits of color
Low light performance Slightly lower noise at high ISO 1,183 ISO vs 1,083 ISO
Help
The D5100 has a slight edge (0.1 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
Nikon D5100 Learn more about
the Nikon D5100

Advantages of the Sony C3

Lens focus motor Has a built-in focus motor Yes vs No
Help
Autofocuses with all autofocus lenses
Size Significantly smaller 110x60x33 mm vs 127x96x78 mm
Help
4.4x smaller
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
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 12,800 ISO vs 6,400 ISO
Help
The C3's maximum light sensitivity is 1 f-stop better
Thickness Significantly thinner 1.3" vs 3.1"
Help
2.4x thinner
Weight Significantly lighter 225 g vs 560 g
Help
2.5x lighter
Focus points More focus points 25 vs 11
Help
Set focus accurately within the frame
Continuous shooting Shoots slightly faster 5.5 fps vs 4 fps
Help
Around 40% faster continuous shooting
Sony NEX C3 Learn more about
the Sony C3
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent digital cameras, and ignoring price

Nikon D5100 Nikon D5100
100 vs 51
Explain scores
Sony NEX C3 Sony NEX C3
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.

advice

Need help deciding?

Ask the community!

I am considering either the Nikon D5100 or the Sony C3,
For example: Taking photos in low light or great family photos or ability to take great photos underwater

Select aspects that are most important to you: (max 3)

Popular tags:

Are you a camera expert? Share your knowledge!

1
votes
by cherlyn-gunnell this month
Nikon D5100 vs Sony NEX-7

I am a beginner that will never be an expert.  My life is busy as a single mom and we are always...

One person recommends the Sony NEX-7:

" The Nex-7 is MUCH smaller, definitely go for it.  The Nex-7 also has some great features like fa..."

0
votes
by streetglide7 last month
Nikon D5100 vs Sony NEX-7

I coach my daughters fast pitch softball and am highly interested in taking stills and action ph...

1
votes
by Phil-Hand last month
Nikon D5100 vs Sony NEX-5

I am a bit confused. Not hard for an amateur in such a complicated field. I see that the Nikon D51...

One person recommends the Nikon D5100:

"Hi Phil, these are both great cameras. I'd recommend the Nikon D5100 because there are so many mor..."

0
votes
by Amy-Elser this month
Sony C3 vs Sony NEX-3

I am essentially a beginner.  I'd like to  try to video my kids events and pull pictures from th...

1
votes
by Rajesh-Venkataraman last month
Panasonic DMC-GF3 vs Sony C3

I am a point and shoot photographer. I would like to upgrade to a bit more professional camera b...

One person recommends the Sony C3:

" Although the Sony NEX C3 doesn't have a built in flash it would still be my top choice. The N..."

similarities

Compared to recent digital cameras

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Screen resolution Very high resolution screens Help
D5100:920k dots
C3:921k dots
Screen flips out Flip-out screens Help
Great for movies
Overall image quality Good image quality Help
D5100:80.0
C3:73.0
True resolution Capture extremely high resolution images Help
D5100:16.1 MP
C3:16 MP
Sensor size Very large sensors Help
D5100:APS-C 23.6x15.6mm
C3:APS-C 23.4x15.6mm
HDR Both have in-camera, most cameras like these don't Help
Combines multiple exposures
Interchangeable lenses Both support interchangeable lenses, which is uncommon in cameras similar to these Help
Many lenses to choose from
Dynamic range Good dynamic range Help
D5100:13 EV
C3:12.2 EV
Movie continuous focus Focus continuously recording movies Help
Makes it easy to get in-focus movies
Supports RAW RAW support Help
Better editing
Color depth Good color depth Help
D5100:23.5 bits
C3:22.7 bits
Low light performance Relatively low noise at high ISO Help
D5100:1,183 ISO
C3:1,083 ISO
External flash Support external flash Help
Better lighting
Sensor cleaning Self cleaning sensors Help
Avoids dust in your photos
Sensor type Better sensor types Help
Better in low light
Fastest shutter speed Fast max shutter speeds Help
1/4000 of a second
Longest exposure Long exposures Help
30 seconds
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur

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
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is significantly heavier
Nikon D3100

Nikon D3100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $547 with 18-55mm lens

Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is significantly heavier
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
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is significantly heavier
Sony NEX-5N

Sony NEX-5N

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$598 - $600 body only

$698 - $700 with 18-55mm lens

Light sensitivity Much higher maximum light sensitivity
Touch screen Has a touch screen
Startup delay Has slightly more startup delay
Canon Rebel T3

Canon Rebel T3

Entry-level DSLR

$333 body only

$489 - $500 with 18-55mm lens

Battery life Has a slightly longer battery life
Sensor cleaning Lacks a self cleaning sensor
Thickness Is thicker
Nikon Coolpix P510

Nikon Coolpix P510

Super zoom

$397 - $400

High-speed framerate Records high-speed movies
Image stabilization Has image stabilization
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Longest exposure Significantly shorter exposures

Nikon D5100 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Nikon D3200

Nikon D3200

Entry-level DSLR

$699 - $700 with 18-55mm lens

True resolution Much higher true resolution
Weight Lighter
Screen flips out Screen does not flip out
HDR Lacks in-camera HDR
Nikon D90

Nikon D90

Entry-level DSLR

$897 body only

$1,047 with 55-200mm lens

Lens focus motor Has a built-in focus motor
Viewfinder size Larger viewfinder
Movie format Lower resolution movies
External mic jack Lacks an external mic jack
Nikon D7000

Nikon D7000

Entry-level DSLR

$1,000 - $1,197 body only

$1,100 with 55-200mm lens

Weather sealed Weather sealed
Lens focus motor Has a built-in focus motor
Screen flips out Screen does not flip out
HDR Lacks in-camera HDR
Canon EOS 60D

Canon EOS 60D

Pro DSLR

$848 - $1,304 body only

$1,177 - $1,342 with 18-135mm lens

Lens focus motor Has a built-in focus motor
Battery life Significantly longer battery life
Overall image quality Worse image quality
HDR Lacks in-camera HDR

Sony NEX C3 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Sony Alpha NEX-5

Sony Alpha NEX-5

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$569 with 18-55mm lens

Movie format Higher resolution movies
Continuous shooting Shoots slightly faster
Overall image quality Slightly worse image quality
True resolution Lower true resolution
Nikon 1 J1

Nikon 1 J1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$547 with 10-30mm lens

High-speed framerate Records high-speed movies
Continuous shooting Shoots much faster
Overall image quality Worse image quality
Screen resolution Significantly lower resolution screen
Sony NEX-F3

Sony NEX-F3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$600 with 18-55mm lens

Movie format Higher resolution movies
External mic jack Has an external mic jack
Movie continuous focus Doesn't focus continuously recording movies
Size Slightly larger
Sony Alpha NEX-3

Sony Alpha NEX-3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$689 with 18-55mm lens

External mic jack Has an external mic jack
Storage slots Has more storage slots
Overall image quality Worse image quality
True resolution Lower true resolution
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$433 body only

Movie format Higher resolution movies
Touch screen Has a touch screen
Overall image quality Significantly worse image quality
Screen resolution Significantly lower resolution screen

appearance

Nikon D5100 Sony NEX C3
Nikon D5100 Sony NEX C3
Nikon D5100 Sony NEX C3

discussion

Showing 0 comments