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Canon 1200D vs Nikon D5100

Portability
68
Imaging
61
Features
54
Overall
58
Canon EOS 1200D front
 
Nikon D5100 front
Portability
66
Imaging
57
Features
81
Overall
66

Canon 1200D vs Nikon D5100 Key Specs

Canon 1200D
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Increase to 12800)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Canon EF/EF-S Mount
  • 480g - 130 x 100 x 78mm
  • Released February 2014
  • Additionally Known as EOS Rebel T5 / EOS Kiss X70
  • Earlier Model is Canon 1100D
  • Updated by Canon T6
Nikon D5100
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Push to 25600)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 560g - 128 x 97 x 79mm
  • Released April 2011
  • Old Model is Nikon D5000
  • Replacement is Nikon D5200
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Canon 1200D vs Nikon D5100 Overview

Let's look closer at the Canon 1200D vs Nikon D5100, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by brands Canon and Nikon. The resolution of the 1200D (18MP) and the D5100 (16MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras have the same sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The 1200D was manufactured 2 years after the D5100 which is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before delving right into a more detailed comparison, here is a short introduction of how the 1200D scores versus the D5100 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon 1200D over the Nikon D5100

 1200D D5100 
ReleasedFebruary 2014April 2011More modern by 35 months

Reasons to pick Nikon D5100 over the Canon 1200D

 D5100 1200D 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution921k460kSharper screen (+461k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Canon 1200D and Nikon D5100

 1200D D5100 
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Canon 1200D vs Nikon D5100 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry around your camera, you'll need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Canon 1200D enjoys physical dimensions of 130mm x 100mm x 78mm (5.1" x 3.9" x 3.1") having a weight of 480 grams (1.06 lbs) and the Nikon D5100 has proportions of 128mm x 97mm x 79mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.1") along with a weight of 560 grams (1.23 lbs).

Check out the Canon 1200D vs Nikon D5100 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you use at that time. Underneath is a front view measurements comparison of the 1200D and the D5100.

Canon 1200D vs Nikon D5100 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the 1200D and D5100 is 68 and 66 respectively.

Canon 1200D vs Nikon D5100 top view buttons comparison

Canon 1200D vs Nikon D5100 Sensor Comparison

Often, its difficult to visualise the difference between sensor sizes merely by reading through a spec sheet. The pic below will give you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the 1200D and D5100.

Clearly, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Canon 1200D to give greater detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The newer 1200D will have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Canon 1200D vs Nikon D5100 sensor size comparison

Canon 1200D vs Nikon D5100 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 1200D vs Nikon D5100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 1200D as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon D5100 as a Portrait photography camera
76
you can focus manually
MP count good (18MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection focus
exports RAW files
74
focusing manually
good megapixels (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Canon 1200D Street photography info
Nikon D5100 Street photography info
59
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
67
screen can move to multiple angles
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Canon 1200D Sports photography highlights
Nikon D5100 Sports photography highlights
55
MP count good (18 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
max frames per second low (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
terrible battery power (500 per charge)
64
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
great battery life (660 CIPA)
has phase detect auto focus
max fps low (4.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon 1200D
Travel photography with Nikon D5100
55
MP count good (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse function
terrible battery power (500 CIPA)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
77
great battery life (660 shots)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 1200D Landscape photography info
Nikon D5100 Landscape photography info
64
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Canon EF/EF-S mount)
screen size is good (3")
MP count good (18 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no image stabilization
terrible battery power (500 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse function
73
focusing manually
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
great battery life (660 CIPA)
lack of image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 1200D Vlogging details
Nikon D5100 Vlogging details
27
offers face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
lack of external mic socket
69
selfie friendly display
supports face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has external microphone socket
lack of image stabilization
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Canon 1200D vs Nikon D5100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 1200D and Nikon D5100
 Canon EOS 1200DNikon D5100
General Information
Company Canon Nikon
Model type Canon EOS 1200D Nikon D5100
Also called as EOS Rebel T5 / EOS Kiss X70 -
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2014-02-12 2011-04-26
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 4 Expeed 2
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 22.3 x 14.9mm 23.6 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 332.3mm² 370.5mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 5184 x 3456 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Maximum enhanced ISO 12800 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 11
Cross type focus points - 1
Lens
Lens mount type Canon EF/EF-S Nikon F
Number of lenses 326 309
Focal length multiplier 1.6 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 460k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech TFT color LCD, liquid-crystal monitor TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.5x 0.52x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames per second 4.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 9.20 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/200s 1/200s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30, 25 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 480 grams (1.06 lb) 560 grams (1.23 lb)
Physical dimensions 130 x 100 x 78mm (5.1" x 3.9" x 3.1") 128 x 97 x 79mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 63 80
DXO Color Depth rating 21.9 23.5
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.3 13.6
DXO Low light rating 724 1183
Other
Battery life 500 shots 660 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LP-E10 EN-EL14
Self timer Yes (10 sec (2 sec with mirror lock-up)) Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Retail cost $549 $0