Updated (April, 2012): Compare the Nikon Coolpix P5100 vs Nikon D3200

Nikon D3100

65

Winner

Nikon D3100

"It's almost impossible to pick up without your hand falling into a sensible position with the key controls at your fingertips."
dpreview.com | talking about the D3100's button-layout
"Thanks to its lineage the D3100 remains one of the most pleasant to hold cameras in its class."
dpreview.com | talking about the D3100's feel

Reasons to buy the Nikon D3100

Movie format
Full HD
1080p @ 24fps
Supports 24p
24p movies
For that film look
Movie continuous focus
Movie continuous focus
Makes it easy to get in-focus movies
Badge
Autofocuses shooting video
Contrast detection
Live view
Has live view
Preview your photos
Nikon Coolpix P5100

39

Reasons to buy the Nikon Coolpix P5100

Size
Really small
Mid size 98x65x41 mm
Image stabilization
Image stabilization
Lens
Thickness
Thin
1.6"
Weight
Light-weight
250 g

differences

Advantages of the Nikon P5100

Image stabilization Image stabilization Lens vs None
Help
Helps eliminate blur caused by small camera movements
Size Significantly smaller 98x65x41 mm vs 124x96x73 mm
Help
3.4x smaller
Weight Significantly lighter 250 g vs 505 g
Help
2x lighter
Thickness Significantly thinner 1.6" vs 2.9"
Help
More than 40% thinner
Nikon Coolpix P5100 Learn more about
the Nikon P5100

Advantages of the Nikon D3100

Movie format Higher resolution movies 1080p @ 24fps vs 480p @ 30fps
Help
Shoots high resolution Full HD (1080p) video but at a lower frame rate
Screen size Much larger screen 3.0" vs 2.5"
Help
More than 20% larger screen
Autofocus Faster autofocus Phase detection vs Contrast detection
Help
Catch candid moments easily
Supports 24p Supports 24p Yes vs No
Help
Get that real film feel
Sensor size Much larger sensor APS-C 23.1x15.4mm vs 1/1.8" 7.4x5.6mm
Help
More than 8.5x larger sensor
Interchangeable lenses Has interchangeable lenses Yes vs No
Help
Can take advantage of a variety of lenses
Supports RAW Shoots RAW Yes vs No
Help
Digitally develop your own photos with precise image control
True resolution Higher true resolution 14.2 MP vs 12 MP
Help
Capture around 20% more detail in your photos
Sensor type Has a CMOS-family sensor CMOS vs CCD
Help
CMOS-family sensors often produce better quality images
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 3,200 ISO vs 2,000 ISO
Help
The D3100's maximum light sensitivity is 0.7 f-stops better
Viewfinder Has a through-the-lens viewfinder Pentamirror vs Tunnel
Help
Through-the-lens viewfinders let you see exactly what your photo will look like
Light sensitivity (boost) Better boost ISO 12,800 ISO vs 3,200 ISO
Help
The D3100's boost ISO is 2 f-stops better
Fastest shutter speed Significantly faster max shutter speed 1/4000s vs 1/2000s
Help
2x faster max shutter speed
Longest exposure Longer exposures 30s vs 8s
Help
Around 4x longer exposures
Nikon D3100 Learn more about
the Nikon D3100
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent digital cameras, and ignoring price

Nikon Coolpix P5100 Nikon Coolpix P5100
39 vs 65
Explain scores
Nikon D3100 Nikon D3100
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Nikon D3100. This recommendation, however, should be taken with a grain of salt since it doesn't always make sense to compare a digicam with a entry-level DSLR.

advice

Need help deciding?

Ask the community!

I am considering either the P5100 or the D3100,
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!

0
votes
by Wan-Mursyidah-Zuyyin last month
Nikon P500 vs Nikon D3100

I'm a beginner..i'm not to expert about this...i wanna take a nature or a beautiful scenery of nat...

2 people recommend the Nikon D3100:

" I am an owner of the P500 currently, and let me tell you, the battery life is a massive downside..."

"It depends on how far you want to go with photography. Do you want to have the ability to change l..."

1
votes
by Lance-Villanueva-Ramos last month
Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D90

Beginner,capturing the moment of different events

2 people recommend the Nikon D3100:

" D3100 is going to have better video capabilities which you outlined as a need, image quality wil..."

"The D3100 is better for beginners because it has a great guide that will help you set up the camer..."

1
votes
by Kate-Hughes 4 days ago
Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D90

I am a beginner is DSLR photography & have been researching entry level models. I kep coming bac...

One person recommends the Nikon D3100:

" Hi Kate, Since you are a beginner in DSLR photography and it seems you have a budget, I would..."

0
votes
by Larisa-Dragan this month
Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D90

beginner/want to start a studio for newborn/children pictures/i think shooting in low light is i...

0
votes
by Cathy-Bodie last month
Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D90

Not beginner, but not novice, want also to use for family gatherings and holidays, night shots, sc...

similarities

Compared to recent digital cameras

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
External flash Support external flash Help
Better lighting
Viewfinder Viewfinders Help
P5100:Tunnel
D3100:Pentamirror
Panorama Neither camera stitches together panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
HDR Neither has in-camera HDR Help
You could do HDR manually
3D Neither camera can take 3D photos Help
No 3d support
Screen resolution Low resolution screens Help
230k dots

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Nikon D5100

Nikon D5100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $597 body only

$600 - $697 with 18-55mm lens

Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Screen resolution Has a much higher resolution screen
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is significantly heavier
Canon Rebel T3i

Canon Rebel T3i

Entry-level DSLR

$619 - $700 body only

$745 - $1,000 with 18-55mm lens

Screen resolution Has a much higher resolution screen
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is significantly heavier
Pentax K-r

Pentax K-r

Entry-level DSLR

$645 - $649 with 18-55mm lens

Screen resolution Has a much higher resolution screen
Light sensitivity Significantly higher maximum light sensitivity
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is significantly heavier
Nikon Coolpix P510

Nikon Coolpix P510

Super zoom

$397 - $400

Zoom Has way more more zoom
Wide angle Has a much wider wide angle lens
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
External flash Doesn't support an external flash
Canon Powershot SX40

Canon Powershot SX40

Super zoom

$347 - $380

Zoom Has way more more zoom
Wide angle Has a much wider wide angle lens
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is significantly heavier

Nikon Coolpix P5100 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Placeholder

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P150

Compact

Size Slightly smaller
Thickness Thinner
Screen size Much smaller screen
Image stabilization No image stabilization
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX200V

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX200V

Super zoom

$399

Zoom Much more zoom
Wide angle Much better wide angle
Size Significantly larger
Thickness Much thicker
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ150

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ150

Super zoom

$499 - $500

Wide angle Much better wide angle
Zoom Much more zoom
Size Significantly larger
Thickness Significantly thicker
Fujifilm FinePix HS30 EXR

Fujifilm FinePix HS30 EXR

Super zoom

$438 - $500

Zoom Much more zoom
Wide angle Much better wide angle
Size Much larger
Thickness Much thicker
Nikon Coolpix P500

Nikon Coolpix P500

Super zoom

$300

Zoom Much more zoom
Wide angle Much better wide angle
Aperture Significantly narrower aperture
Size Significantly larger

Nikon D3100 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Canon Rebel T3

Canon Rebel T3

Entry-level DSLR

$333 body only

$489 - $500 with 18-55mm lens

Lens focus motor Has a built-in focus motor
Battery life Longer battery life
Movie format Lower resolution movies
Screen size Significantly smaller screen
Canon EOS Rebel T2i

Canon Rebel T2i

Entry-level DSLR

$544 - $949 body only

$649 - $867 with 18-55mm lens

Screen resolution Much higher resolution screen
Lens focus motor Has a built-in focus motor
Autofocus Lacks video autofocus
Battery life Shorter battery life
Nikon D3200

Nikon D3200

Entry-level DSLR

$699 - $700 with 18-55mm lens

Screen resolution Much higher resolution screen
True resolution Much higher true resolution
Thickness Slightly thicker
Lowest price Slightly more expensive
Nikon D90

Nikon D90

Entry-level DSLR

$897 body only

$1,047 with 55-200mm lens

Screen resolution Much higher resolution screen
Lens focus motor Has a built-in focus motor
Movie format Lower resolution movies
Autofocus Lacks video autofocus
Nikon D3000

Nikon D3000

Entry-level DSLR

$481 with 18-55mm lens

Size Slightly smaller
Thickness Thinner
Movie format Does not take movies
Autofocus Lacks video autofocus

appearance

Nikon Coolpix P5100 Nikon D3100
Nikon Coolpix P5100 Nikon D3100
Nikon Coolpix P5100 Nikon D3100

discussion

Showing 0 comments