Nikon D5100 vs Nikon D80
66 Imaging
56 Features
81 Overall
66


62 Imaging
48 Features
36 Overall
43
Nikon D5100 vs Nikon D80 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400 (Boost to 25600)
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon F Mount
- 560g - 128 x 97 x 79mm
- Announced April 2011
- Earlier Model is Nikon D5000
- Renewed by Nikon D5200
(Full Review)

Nikon D5100 vs Nikon D80 Overview
Below is a detailed assessment of the Nikon D5100 versus Nikon D80, one being a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Advanced DSLR and both of them are sold by Nikon. There is a significant difference among the image resolutions of the D5100 (16MP) and D80 (10MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor measurements (APS-C).

The D5100 was manufactured 4 years later than the D80 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Nikon D5100 being a Compact SLR camera and the Nikon D80 being a Mid-size SLR camera.
Before we go through a full comparison, below is a brief overview of how the D5100 scores vs the D80 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Nikon D5100 vs Nikon D80 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Nikon D5100 and Nikon D80. The entire galleries are available at Nikon D5100 Gallery and Nikon D80 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D5100 over the Nikon D80
D5100 | D80 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | April 2011 | ![]() | September 2006 | More recent by 56 months |
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating display |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.5") |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer display (+691k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Reasons to pick Nikon D80 over the Nikon D5100
D80 | D5100 |
---|
Common features in the Nikon D5100 and Nikon D80
D5100 | D80 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very accurate focusing | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Neither contains Touch display |
Nikon D5100 vs Nikon D80 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you'll need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Nikon D5100 has got physical measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 79mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.1") having a weight of 560 grams (1.23 lbs) and the Nikon D80 has proportions of 132mm x 103mm x 77mm (5.2" x 4.1" x 3.0") along with a weight of 668 grams (1.47 lbs).
Check out the Nikon D5100 versus Nikon D80 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are using at that time. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the D5100 vs the D80.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the D5100 and D80 is 66 and 62 respectively.

Nikon D5100 vs Nikon D80 Sensor Comparison
Often, its tough to imagine the contrast in sensor measurements purely by checking out specifications. The graphic here should provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the D5100 and D80.
Plainly, each of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You should expect to see the Nikon D5100 to produce extra detail due to its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop images a little more aggressively. The younger D5100 provides an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon D5100 vs Nikon D80 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D5100 vs Nikon D80 Specifications
Nikon D5100 | Nikon D80 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Nikon | Nikon |
Model type | Nikon D5100 | Nikon D80 |
Category | Entry-Level DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Announced | 2011-04-26 | 2006-09-23 |
Physical type | Compact SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Expeed 2 | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 23.6 x 15.7mm | 23.6 x 15.8mm |
Sensor area | 370.5mm² | 372.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 10MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4928 x 3264 | 3872 x 2592 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 1600 |
Maximum enhanced ISO | 25600 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Total focus points | 11 | - |
Cross type focus points | 1 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Nikon F | Nikon F |
Available lenses | 309 | 309 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fully Articulated | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3 inch | 2.5 inch |
Resolution of screen | 921 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Screen tech | TFT LCD monitor | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 95% | 95% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.52x | 0.64x |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 4.0 frames/s | 3.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | 13.00 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain | Auto, On, Off, Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Wireless |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | 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) | - |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | None |
Video data format | MPEG-4 | - |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | Optional | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 560g (1.23 lb) | 668g (1.47 lb) |
Dimensions | 128 x 97 x 79mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.1") | 132 x 103 x 77mm (5.2" x 4.1" x 3.0") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 80 | 61 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 23.5 | 22.1 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 13.6 | 11.2 |
DXO Low light rating | 1183 | 524 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 660 photographs | - |
Battery type | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | EN-EL14 | EN-EL3e |
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 card |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Launch pricing | $0 | $800 |