Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D5100
68 Imaging
54 Features
59 Overall
56
66 Imaging
56 Features
81 Overall
66
Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D5100 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 3200 (Expand to 12800)
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon F Mount
- 505g - 124 x 96 x 75mm
- Launched December 2010
- Older Model is Nikon D3000
- Refreshed by Nikon D3200
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Display
- ISO 100 - 6400 (Boost to 25600)
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon F Mount
- 560g - 128 x 97 x 79mm
- Released April 2011
- Earlier Model is Nikon D5000
- Newer Model is Nikon D5200
Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D5100 Overview
Below is a thorough review of the Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D5100, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras and both are built by Nikon. The sensor resolution of the D3100 (14MP) and the D5100 (16MP) is fairly well matched and both cameras provide the identical sensor size (APS-C).
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhoneThe D3100 was released 4 months before the D5100 and they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact SLR).
Before we go straight to a full comparison, here is a simple view of how the D3100 grades vs the D5100 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D5100 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Nikon D3100 & Nikon D5100. The complete galleries are provided at Nikon D3100 Gallery & Nikon D5100 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D3100 over the Nikon D5100
D3100 | D5100 |
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Reasons to pick Nikon D5100 over the Nikon D3100
D5100 | D3100 | |||
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Display type | Fully Articulated | Fixed | Fully Articulating display | |
Display resolution | 921k | 230k | Clearer display (+691k dot) | |
Selfie screen | Take selfies |
Common features in the Nikon D3100 and Nikon D5100
D3100 | D5100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | December 2010 | April 2011 | Similar age | |
Manual focus | Very precise focusing | |||
Display size | 3" | 3" | Same display size | |
Touch display | Lacking Touch display |
Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D5100 Physical Comparison
In case you're planning to lug around your camera regularly, you will want to factor its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D3100 enjoys physical measurements of 124mm x 96mm x 75mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0") having a weight of 505 grams (1.11 lbs) and the Nikon D5100 has dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 79mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.1") accompanied by a weight of 560 grams (1.23 lbs).
Compare the Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D5100 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are employing during that time. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the D3100 compared to the D5100.
Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the D3100 and D5100 is 68 and 66 respectively.
Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D5100 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it is very difficult to envision the contrast between sensor measurements just by checking technical specs. The photograph below will help offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the D3100 and D5100.
As you can tell, both the cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same megapixels. You can anticipate the Nikon D5100 to resolve greater detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop photos a good deal more aggressively.
Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D5100 Screen and ViewFinder
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Street Comparison
Sports Comparison
Travel Comparison
Landscape Comparison
Vlogging Comparison
Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D5100 Specifications
Nikon D3100 | Nikon D5100 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Nikon | Nikon |
Model type | Nikon D3100 | Nikon D5100 |
Type | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
Launched | 2010-12-21 | 2011-04-26 |
Physical type | Compact SLR | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Expeed 2 | Expeed 2 |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 23.1 x 15.4mm | 23.6 x 15.7mm |
Sensor area | 355.7mm² | 370.5mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 |
Full resolution | 4608 x 3072 | 4928 x 3264 |
Max native ISO | 3200 | 6400 |
Max boosted ISO | 12800 | 25600 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 11 |
Cross type focus points | 1 | 1 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Nikon F | Nikon F |
Total lenses | 309 | 309 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.6 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fully Articulated |
Display size | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of display | 230k dots | 921k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Display tech | TFT LCD monitor | TFT LCD monitor |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | 95 percent | 95 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.53x | 0.52x |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 3.0 frames per second | 4.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash modes | Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | 1/200 seconds | 1/200 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | MPEG-4 | 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 | Optional | Optional |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 505g (1.11 lbs) | 560g (1.23 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 124 x 96 x 75mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0") | 128 x 97 x 79mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 67 | 80 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 22.5 | 23.5 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 11.3 | 13.6 |
DXO Low light rating | 919 | 1183 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 550 images | 660 images |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | EN-EL14 | EN-EL14 |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail cost | $565 | $0 |