Canon 6D vs Nikon D5100
59 Imaging
67 Features
70 Overall
68


66 Imaging
56 Features
81 Overall
66
Canon 6D vs Nikon D5100 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 20MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 25600 (Raise to 102400)
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Canon EF Mount
- 770g - 145 x 111 x 71mm
- Announced February 2013
- Successor is Canon 6D MII
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400 (Expand to 25600)
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon F Mount
- 560g - 128 x 97 x 79mm
- Announced April 2011
- Replaced the Nikon D5000
- New Model is Nikon D5200

Canon 6D vs Nikon D5100 Overview
Here is a thorough overview of the Canon 6D and Nikon D5100, one being a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Canon and Nikon. There exists a huge gap among the image resolutions of the 6D (20MP) and D5100 (16MP) and the 6D (Full frame) and D5100 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor size.

The 6D was unveiled 22 months later than the D5100 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Canon 6D being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Nikon D5100 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before we go right into a in-depth comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the 6D grades vs the D5100 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Canon 6D vs Nikon D5100 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon EOS 6D and Nikon D5100. The full galleries are viewable at Canon 6D Gallery and Nikon D5100 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon 6D over the Nikon D5100
6D | D5100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | February 2013 | ![]() | April 2011 | Fresher by 22 months |
Screen resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 921k | Crisper screen (+119k dot) |
Reasons to pick Nikon D5100 over the Canon 6D
D5100 | 6D | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies |
Common features in the Canon 6D and Nikon D5100
6D | D5100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very exact focus | ||
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same screen size |
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither features Touch screen |
Canon 6D vs Nikon D5100 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is aiming to carry your camera frequently, you will want to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Canon 6D enjoys external measurements of 145mm x 111mm x 71mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 2.8") and a weight of 770 grams (1.70 lbs) whilst the Nikon D5100 has dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 79mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.1") having a weight of 560 grams (1.23 lbs).
See the Canon 6D and Nikon D5100 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are using at that moment. Underneath is a front view over all size comparison of the 6D compared to the D5100.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the 6D and D5100 is 59 and 66 respectively.

Canon 6D vs Nikon D5100 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it's hard to envision the difference in sensor sizing just by seeing technical specs. The graphic underneath will help offer you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the 6D and D5100.
As you have seen, both of these cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The 6D having a bigger sensor will make shooting bokeh less difficult and the Canon 6D will provide extra detail having an extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The more modern 6D is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Canon 6D vs Nikon D5100 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon 6D vs Nikon D5100 Specifications
Canon EOS 6D | Nikon D5100 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Canon | Nikon |
Model | Canon EOS 6D | Nikon D5100 |
Category | Advanced DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
Announced | 2013-02-12 | 2011-04-26 |
Body design | Mid-size SLR | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Digic 5+ | Expeed 2 |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Full frame | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 36 x 24mm | 23.6 x 15.7mm |
Sensor area | 864.0mm² | 370.5mm² |
Sensor resolution | 20MP | 16MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 |
Peak resolution | 5472 x 3648 | 4928 x 3264 |
Highest native ISO | 25600 | 6400 |
Highest enhanced ISO | 102400 | 25600 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Minimum enhanced ISO | 50 | - |
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | 11 |
Cross focus points | 1 | 1 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Canon EF | Nikon F |
Available lenses | 250 | 309 |
Crop factor | 1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fully Articulated |
Screen diagonal | 3" | 3" |
Screen resolution | 1,040k dot | 921k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Screen technology | Clear View II TFT LCD | TFT LCD monitor |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | 97 percent | 95 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.71x | 0.52x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 4.5 frames per second | 4.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash options | no built-in flash | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | 1/180 secs | 1/200 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (29.97, 25, 23.976 fps), 1280 x 720 (59.94, 50 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | H.264 | MPEG-4 |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | BuiltIn | Optional |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 770g (1.70 lb) | 560g (1.23 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 145 x 111 x 71mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 2.8") | 128 x 97 x 79mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 82 | 80 |
DXO Color Depth score | 23.8 | 23.5 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 12.1 | 13.6 |
DXO Low light score | 2340 | 1183 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 1090 photographs | 660 photographs |
Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | LP-E6 | EN-EL14 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Launch price | $1,699 | $0 |