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Nikon D5100 vs Nikon D5500

Portability
66
Imaging
57
Features
81
Overall
66
Nikon D5100 front
 
Nikon D5500 front
Portability
71
Imaging
66
Features
85
Overall
73

Nikon D5100 vs Nikon D5500 Key Specs

Nikon D5100
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Push to 25600)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 560g - 128 x 97 x 79mm
  • Launched April 2011
  • Succeeded the Nikon D5000
  • Later Model is Nikon D5200
Nikon D5500
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 420g - 124 x 97 x 70mm
  • Announced January 2015
  • Replaced the Nikon D5300
  • Replacement is Nikon D5600
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Nikon D5100 vs Nikon D5500 Overview

Lets look more closely at the Nikon D5100 versus Nikon D5500, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras and both of them are offered by Nikon. There is a substantial difference between the sensor resolutions of the D5100 (16MP) and D5500 (24MP) but they possess the exact same sensor size (APS-C).

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The D5100 was launched 4 years earlier than the D5500 which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before diving straight into a detailed comparison, below is a quick summation of how the D5100 grades vs the D5500 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D5100 over the Nikon D5500

 D5100 D5500 

Reasons to pick Nikon D5500 over the Nikon D5100

 D5500 D5100 
AnnouncedJanuary 2015April 2011More modern by 45 months
Screen dimension3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k921kCrisper screen (+116k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Nikon D5100 and Nikon D5500

 D5100 D5500 
Manual focus More accurate focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated screen
Selfie screen Both good for selfies

Nikon D5100 vs Nikon D5500 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry around your camera frequently, you have to take into account its weight and size. The Nikon D5100 enjoys physical measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 79mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.1") along with a weight of 560 grams (1.23 lbs) and the Nikon D5500 has specifications of 124mm x 97mm x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 420 grams (0.93 lbs).

Examine the Nikon D5100 versus Nikon D5500 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are using during that time. Below is the front view size comparison of the D5100 against the D5500.

Nikon D5100 vs Nikon D5500 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the D5100 and D5500 is 66 and 71 respectively.

Nikon D5100 vs Nikon D5500 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D5100 vs Nikon D5500 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is hard to envision the gap between sensor sizes just by reviewing a spec sheet. The image underneath may give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the D5100 and D5500.

Clearly, the 2 cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Nikon D5500 to deliver greater detail utilizing its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The more aged D5100 is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Nikon D5100 vs Nikon D5500 sensor size comparison

Nikon D5100 vs Nikon D5500 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D5100 vs Nikon D5500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D5100 as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon D5500 as a Portrait photography camera
74
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detection focus
exports RAW files
79
has manual focus
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes face detection focus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon D5100 Street photography info
Nikon D5500 Street photography info
67
screen articulates
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
75
screen articulates fully
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
offers touch focus
lighter than competitors in class (420 grams)
very good ISO range (25,600)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D5100 as a Sports photography camera
Nikon D5500 as a Sports photography camera
64
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
good battery power (660 CIPA)
has phase detect auto focus
very slow continuous shooting (4.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
68
resolution is good (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
better than average battery life (820 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon D5100
Travel photography with Nikon D5500
77
good battery power (660 shots)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
81
better than average battery life (820 per charge)
lighter than competitors in class (420 grams)
offers touch focus
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon D5100
Landscape photography with Nikon D5500
73
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
good battery power (660 per charge)
lack of image stabilization
78
has manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a good size (3.2 inch)
resolution is good (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
doesnt have low pass filter
very good ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW files
better than average battery life (820 shots)
no image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon D5100
Vlogging with Nikon D5500
69
selfie friendly display
provides face detection focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has external microphone socket
lack of image stabilization
75
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen functionality
includes face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes external mic port
lighter than competitors in class (420 grams)
no image stabilization
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Nikon D5100 vs Nikon D5500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D5100 and Nikon D5500
 Nikon D5100Nikon D5500
General Information
Company Nikon Nikon
Model Nikon D5100 Nikon D5500
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2011-04-26 2015-01-06
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed 2 Expeed 4
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 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 25600
Maximum enhanced ISO 25600 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
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 mounting type Nikon F Nikon F
Number of lenses 309 309
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3" 3.2"
Resolution of display 921 thousand dot 1,037 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 95%
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 per sec 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/200 secs 1/200 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 560 gr (1.23 lbs) 420 gr (0.93 lbs)
Dimensions 128 x 97 x 79mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.1") 124 x 97 x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 80 84
DXO Color Depth score 23.5 24.1
DXO Dynamic range score 13.6 14.0
DXO Low light score 1183 1438
Other
Battery life 660 photos 820 photos
Battery form 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 feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Price at release $0 $700