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Canon 5D vs Nikon S5100

Portability
55
Imaging
55
Features
41
Overall
49
Canon EOS 5D front
 
Nikon Coolpix S5100 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29

Canon 5D vs Nikon S5100 Key Specs

Canon 5D
(Full Review)
  • 13MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Canon EF Mount
  • 895g - 152 x 113 x 75mm
  • Revealed November 2005
  • Successor is Canon 5D MII
Nikon S5100
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.7-6.6) lens
  • 132g - 97 x 57 x 22mm
  • Launched August 2010
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Canon 5D vs Nikon S5100 Overview

On this page, we are analyzing the Canon 5D vs Nikon S5100, former being a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Canon and Nikon. The image resolution of the 5D (13MP) and the S5100 (12MP) is fairly comparable but the 5D (Full frame) and S5100 (1/2.3") offer totally different sensor sizing.

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The 5D was launched 5 years prior to the S5100 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Canon 5D being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Nikon S5100 being a Compact camera.

Before diving right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise view of how the 5D scores vs the S5100 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon 5D over the Nikon S5100

 5D S5100 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing

Reasons to pick Nikon S5100 over the Canon 5D

 S5100 5D 
LaunchedAugust 2010November 2005More recent by 57 months
Display dimensions2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Canon 5D and Nikon S5100

 5D S5100 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Canon 5D vs Nikon S5100 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to lug around your camera frequently, you'll have to factor in its weight and size. The Canon 5D has got external measurements of 152mm x 113mm x 75mm (6.0" x 4.4" x 3.0") along with a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs) while the Nikon S5100 has specifications of 97mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs).

Analyze the Canon 5D vs Nikon S5100 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you select at that moment. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the 5D vs the S5100.

Canon 5D vs Nikon S5100 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the 5D and S5100 is 55 and 95 respectively.

Canon 5D vs Nikon S5100 top view buttons comparison

Canon 5D vs Nikon S5100 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor measurements just by going through technical specs. The visual here should give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the 5D and S5100.

As you can tell, the two cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The 5D because of its larger sensor will make achieving shallower DOF less difficult and the Canon 5D will show greater detail utilizing its extra 1MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop pics more aggressively. The older 5D will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon 5D vs Nikon S5100 sensor size comparison

Canon 5D vs Nikon S5100 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 5D vs Nikon S5100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 5D Portrait photography info
Nikon S5100 Portrait photography info
65
manual focus
good MP (13 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
21
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
low resolution (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon 5D Street photography highlights
Nikon S5100 Street photography highlights
56
big sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (132 grams)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon 5D as a Sports photography camera
Nikon S5100 as a Sports photography camera
55
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
good MP (13MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
environment proof
has phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
max fps very slow (3.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
terrible battery (800 shots)
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of shutter priority mode
low resolution (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon 5D as a Travel photography camera
Nikon S5100 as a Travel photography camera
49
environment proof
good MP (13MP)
does not have Time Lapse function
terrible battery (800 per charge)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
62
lighter than others in class (132g)
built-in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
low resolution (12 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 5D as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon S5100 as a Landscape photography camera
54
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Canon EF mount)
good MP (13MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
tiny screen (2.5")
doesn't have liveview
no image stabilization
terrible battery (800 shots)
does not have Time Lapse function
32
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
lack of manual mode
low resolution (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 5D Vlogging advice
Nikon S5100 Vlogging advice
9
no video recording
31
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (132 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone socket
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Canon 5D vs Nikon S5100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 5D and Nikon S5100
 Canon EOS 5DNikon Coolpix S5100
General Information
Brand Name Canon Nikon
Model type Canon EOS 5D Nikon Coolpix S5100
Class Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2005-11-12 2010-08-17
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic II Expeed C2
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Full frame 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 36 x 24mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 864.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 13MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4368 x 2912 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 3200 1600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type Canon EF fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-140mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture - f/2.7-6.6
Macro focusing range - 2cm
Available lenses 250 -
Crop factor 1 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.5 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech TFT liquid-crystal color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 96% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.71x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 4 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash -
Flash settings External Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/200 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1280x720
Video format - Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 895 gr (1.97 lb) 132 gr (0.29 lb)
Physical dimensions 152 x 113 x 75mm (6.0" x 4.4" x 3.0") 97 x 57 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 71 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.9 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.1 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1368 not tested
Other
Battery life 800 shots -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID BP-511A EN-EL10
Self timer Yes (10 sec (2 sec with mirror lock-up)) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II) SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots One One
Pricing at launch $2,780 $200