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Nikon D50 vs Nikon D5100

Portability
64
Imaging
44
Features
39
Overall
42
Nikon D50 front
 
Nikon D5100 front
Portability
66
Imaging
57
Features
81
Overall
66

Nikon D50 vs Nikon D5100 Key Specs

Nikon D50
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 1600
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 620g - 133 x 102 x 76mm
  • Released July 2005
  • Refreshed by Nikon D40X
Nikon D5100
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Raise to 25600)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 560g - 128 x 97 x 79mm
  • Announced April 2011
  • Previous Model is Nikon D5000
  • Refreshed by Nikon D5200
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Nikon D50 vs Nikon D5100 Overview

In this article, we will be analyzing the Nikon D50 and Nikon D5100, one is a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR and both are sold by Nikon. There is a sizeable difference among the resolutions of the D50 (6MP) and D5100 (16MP) but they come with the same exact sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The D50 was revealed 6 years before the D5100 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Nikon D50 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Nikon D5100 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go through a in-depth comparison, below is a concise view of how the D50 scores vs the D5100 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D50 over the Nikon D5100

 D50 D5100 

Reasons to pick Nikon D5100 over the Nikon D50

 D5100 D50 
AnnouncedApril 2011July 2005Newer by 70 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen sizing3"2"Bigger screen (+1")
Screen resolution921k130kCrisper screen (+791k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Nikon D50 and Nikon D5100

 D50 D5100 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Nikon D50 vs Nikon D5100 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to travel with your camera, you'll need to consider its weight and size. The Nikon D50 has external measurements of 133mm x 102mm x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 620 grams (1.37 lbs) and the Nikon D5100 has specifications of 128mm x 97mm x 79mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.1") with a weight of 560 grams (1.23 lbs).

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Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are utilising at the time. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the D50 vs the D5100.

Nikon D50 vs Nikon D5100 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the D50 and D5100 is 64 and 66 respectively.

Nikon D50 vs Nikon D5100 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D50 vs Nikon D5100 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very difficult to visualize the difference in sensor dimensions merely by looking through specs. The image underneath should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the D50 and D5100.

As you can plainly see, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You should count on the Nikon D5100 to render greater detail because of its extra 10MP. Higher resolution will help you crop shots a little more aggressively. The more aged D50 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon D50 vs Nikon D5100 sensor size comparison

Nikon D50 vs Nikon D5100 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D50 vs Nikon D5100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D50 Portrait photography advice
Nikon D5100 Portrait photography advice
53
focusing manually
above average flash sync (1/500 seconds)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no liveview
MP count low (6MP)
74
has manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D50 Street photography features
Nikon D5100 Street photography features
58
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lighter than others in class (620 grams)
no moving screen
no image stabilization
67
screen articulates
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D50 Sports photography details
Nikon D5100 Sports photography details
38
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
no liveview
max frames per second low (3.0 fps)
no image stabilization
MP count low (6MP)
64
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
better than average battery life (660 shots)
supports phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (4.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon D50
Travel photography with Nikon D5100
50
lighter than others in class (620g)
built-in flash
no Timelapse mode
MP count low (6MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
77
better than average battery life (660 per charge)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D50 Landscape photography features
Nikon D5100 Landscape photography features
46
focusing manually
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
tiny screen (2")
no liveview
no image stabilization
MP count low (6MP)
no Timelapse mode
73
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
better than average battery life (660 per charge)
no image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D50 Vlogging highlights
Nikon D5100 Vlogging highlights
9
can't shoot video
69
selfie friendly screen
features face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with external mic port
no image stabilization
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Nikon D50 vs Nikon D5100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D50 and Nikon D5100
 Nikon D50Nikon D5100
General Information
Make Nikon Nikon
Model type Nikon D50 Nikon D5100
Type Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2005-07-23 2011-04-26
Body design Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Expeed 2
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.7 x 15.5mm 23.6 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 367.4mm² 370.5mm²
Sensor resolution 6 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Max resolution 3008 x 2000 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Max enhanced ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 11
Cross type focus points - 1
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Nikon F
Amount of lenses 309 309
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display size 2 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 130k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.5x 0.52x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s 4.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 11.00 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/500 secs 1/200 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 data format - MPEG-4
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 620g (1.37 lbs) 560g (1.23 lbs)
Dimensions 133 x 102 x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0") 128 x 97 x 79mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 55 80
DXO Color Depth rating 20.9 23.5
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.8 13.6
DXO Low light rating 560 1183
Other
Battery life - 660 images
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL3 EN-EL14
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec) Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $499 $0