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Nikon D3000 vs Nikon D5100

Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
36
Overall
44
Nikon D3000 front
 
Nikon D5100 front
Portability
66
Imaging
56
Features
81
Overall
66

Nikon D3000 vs Nikon D5100 Key Specs

Nikon D3000
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Expand to 3200)
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 536g - 126 x 97 x 64mm
  • Revealed December 2009
  • Succeeded the Nikon D40
  • Renewed by Nikon D3100
Nikon D5100
(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
  • Released April 2011
  • Earlier Model is Nikon D5000
  • Updated by Nikon D5200
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Nikon D3000 vs Nikon D5100 Overview

Below is a extensive comparison of the Nikon D3000 and Nikon D5100, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras and both of them are designed by Nikon. There is a sizeable difference among the resolutions of the D3000 (10MP) and D5100 (16MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The D3000 was launched 16 months earlier than the D5100 which makes them a generation apart from each other. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before getting into a complete comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the D3000 matches up versus the D5100 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3000 over the Nikon D5100

 D3000 D5100 

Reasons to pick Nikon D5100 over the Nikon D3000

 D5100 D3000 
ReleasedApril 2011December 2009More recent by 16 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Nikon D3000 and Nikon D5100

 D3000 D5100 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Nikon D3000 vs Nikon D5100 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to lug around your camera, you will have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D3000 has got exterior dimensions of 126mm x 97mm x 64mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") along with a weight of 536 grams (1.18 lbs) whilst the Nikon D5100 has dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 79mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.1") with a weight of 560 grams (1.23 lbs).

Look at the Nikon D3000 and Nikon D5100 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you choose at the time. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the D3000 versus the D5100.

Nikon D3000 vs Nikon D5100 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the D3000 and D5100 is 69 and 66 respectively.

Nikon D3000 vs Nikon D5100 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3000 vs Nikon D5100 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be tough to imagine the gap in sensor measurements only by researching specifications. The graphic underneath should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the D3000 and D5100.

Plainly, the 2 cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You should count on the Nikon D5100 to provide you with greater detail utilizing its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The older D3000 will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon D3000 vs Nikon D5100 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3000 vs Nikon D5100 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3000 vs Nikon D5100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3000 as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon D5100 as a Portrait photography camera
54
manual focus
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no liveview feature
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
73
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Nikon D3000 Street photography highlights
Nikon D5100 Street photography highlights
58
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
67
screen articulates
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3000 Sports photography factors
Nikon D5100 Sports photography factors
39
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
no liveview feature
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (10MP)
not so great battery life (500 per charge)
63
decent megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
better than average battery (660 per charge)
supports phase detect autofocus
max frames per second low (4.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D3000 Travel photography highlights
Nikon D5100 Travel photography highlights
45
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse mode
not so great battery life (500 per charge)
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
77
better than average battery (660 shots)
decent megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon D3000
Landscape photography with Nikon D5100
51
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no liveview feature
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
not so great battery life (500 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
72
you can focus manually
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is decent (3")
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
better than average battery (660 per charge)
does not have image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3000 Vlogging features
Nikon D5100 Vlogging features
9
lack of video recording
69
selfie friendly screen
provides face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with microphone support
does not have image stabilization
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Nikon D3000 vs Nikon D5100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3000 and Nikon D5100
 Nikon D3000Nikon D5100
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Nikon
Model type Nikon D3000 Nikon D5100
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2009-12-11 2011-04-26
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed Expeed 2
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.6 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 372.9mm² 370.5mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Full resolution 3872 x 2592 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Max boosted ISO 3200 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 11 11
Cross type focus points - 1
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Nikon F
Available lenses 309 309
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x 0.52x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames per sec 4.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/200 secs 1/200 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps)
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 536g (1.18 pounds) 560g (1.23 pounds)
Physical dimensions 126 x 97 x 64mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") 128 x 97 x 79mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 62 80
DXO Color Depth rating 22.3 23.5
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.1 13.6
DXO Low light rating 563 1183
Other
Battery life 500 images 660 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL9a EN-EL14
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $0 $0