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Nikon D5100 vs Nikon D5300

Portability
66
Imaging
56
Features
81
Overall
66
Nikon D5100 front
 
Nikon D5300 front
Portability
68
Imaging
65
Features
81
Overall
71

Nikon D5100 vs Nikon D5300 Key Specs

Nikon D5100
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Bump to 25600)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 560g - 128 x 97 x 79mm
  • Announced April 2011
  • Previous Model is Nikon D5000
  • Later Model is Nikon D5200
Nikon D5300
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 480g - 125 x 98 x 76mm
  • Launched February 2014
  • Replaced the Nikon D5200
  • Replacement is Nikon D5500
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Nikon D5100 vs Nikon D5300 Overview

Lets take a closer look at the Nikon D5100 and Nikon D5300, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras and both are designed by Nikon. There exists a large gap among the image resolutions of the D5100 (16MP) and D5300 (24MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

Photography Glossary

The D5100 was brought out 3 years prior to the D5300 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before delving right into a more detailed comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the D5100 scores vs the D5300 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D5100 over the Nikon D5300

 D5100 D5300 

Reasons to pick Nikon D5300 over the Nikon D5100

 D5300 D5100 
LaunchedFebruary 2014April 2011More modern by 34 months
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k921kClearer screen (+116k dot)

Common features in the Nikon D5100 and Nikon D5300

 D5100 D5300 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated screen
Selfie screen Both good for selfies
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Nikon D5100 vs Nikon D5300 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry around your camera regularly, you need to factor its weight and size. The Nikon D5100 has outer measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 79mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.1") accompanied by a weight of 560 grams (1.23 lbs) whilst the Nikon D5300 has specifications of 125mm x 98mm x 76mm (4.9" x 3.9" x 3.0") with a weight of 480 grams (1.06 lbs).

See the Nikon D5100 and Nikon D5300 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the D5100 versus the D5300.

Nikon D5100 vs Nikon D5300 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the D5100 and D5300 is 66 and 68 respectively.

Nikon D5100 vs Nikon D5300 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D5100 vs Nikon D5300 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be tough to envision the gap in sensor sizes only by viewing specifications. The picture here should provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the D5100 and D5300.

To sum up, both cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Nikon D5300 to render extra detail having its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more aged D5100 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon D5100 vs Nikon D5300 sensor size comparison

Nikon D5100 vs Nikon D5300 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D5100 vs Nikon D5300 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D5100
Portrait photography with Nikon D5300
73
manual focus
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features face detection focus
supports RAW formats
79
you can focus manually
MP count good (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon D5100 Street photography features
Nikon D5300 Street photography features
67
screen articulates fully
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no image stabilization
69
screen articulates fully
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D5100 Sports photography details
Nikon D5300 Sports photography details
63
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
better than average battery pack (660 shots)
supports phase detect auto focus
slow continuous shooting (4.0 fps)
no image stabilization
65
MP count good (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
comes with phase detect autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
no image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D5100 Travel photography advice
Nikon D5300 Travel photography advice
77
better than average battery pack (660 shots)
decent MP (16MP)
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
80
MP count good (24 megapixels)
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D5100 Landscape photography info
Nikon D5300 Landscape photography info
72
manual focus
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
better than average battery pack (660 CIPA)
no image stabilization
76
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inches)
MP count good (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
does not have anti-alias filter
delivers RAW files
no image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D5100 Vlogging highlights
Nikon D5300 Vlogging highlights
69
display is selfie friendly
features face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with external mic support
no image stabilization
72
selfie friendly screen
provides face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have microphone jack
no image stabilization
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Nikon D5100 vs Nikon D5300 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D5100 and Nikon D5300
 Nikon D5100Nikon D5300
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Model Nikon D5100 Nikon D5300
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2011-04-26 2014-02-12
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed 2 Expeed 4
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 370.5mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4928 x 3264 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO 25600 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 11 39
Cross focus points 1 9
Lens
Lens mount Nikon F Nikon F
Available lenses 309 309
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3 inch 3.2 inch
Resolution of display 921k dot 1,037k dot
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 0.52x 0.55x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 4.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 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
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/200 secs 1/200 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 560 gr (1.23 pounds) 480 gr (1.06 pounds)
Physical dimensions 128 x 97 x 79mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.1") 125 x 98 x 76mm (4.9" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 80 83
DXO Color Depth score 23.5 24.0
DXO Dynamic range score 13.6 13.9
DXO Low light score 1183 1338
Other
Battery life 660 photographs 600 photographs
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL14 EN-EL14,EN-EL14a
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release $0 $429