Canon 1200D vs Nikon D5100
68 Imaging
60 Features
54 Overall
57


66 Imaging
56 Features
81 Overall
66
Canon 1200D vs Nikon D5100 Key Specs
(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
(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

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).

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.

Canon 1200D vs Nikon D5100 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon EOS 1200D and Nikon D5100. The entire galleries are provided at Canon 1200D Gallery and Nikon D5100 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon 1200D over the Nikon D5100
1200D | D5100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | February 2014 | ![]() | April 2011 | More modern by 35 months |
Reasons to pick Nikon D5100 over the Canon 1200D
D5100 | 1200D | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 460k | Sharper screen (+461k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies |
Common features in the Canon 1200D and Nikon D5100
1200D | D5100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial precise focusing | ||
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon 1200D vs Nikon D5100 Specifications
Canon EOS 1200D | Nikon 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 |