Nikon D5100 vs Nikon Z fc
66 Imaging
56 Features
81 Overall
66


79 Imaging
69 Features
80 Overall
73
Nikon D5100 vs Nikon Z fc Key Specs
(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
- Revealed April 2011
- Succeeded the Nikon D5000
- Refreshed by Nikon D5200
(Full Review)
- 21MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Display
- ISO 100 - 51200 (Expand to 204800)
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 3840 x 2160 video
- Nikon Z Mount
- 445g - 135 x 94 x 44mm
- Announced June 2021

Nikon D5100 vs Nikon Z fc Overview
Below is a in depth analysis of the Nikon D5100 vs Nikon Z fc, one being a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both are designed by Nikon. There is a sizeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the D5100 (16MP) and Z fc (21MP) but they come with the same exact sensor dimensions (APS-C).

The D5100 was introduced 11 years earlier than the Z fc and that is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Nikon D5100 being a Compact SLR camera and the Nikon Z fc being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.
Before getting through a more detailed comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the D5100 grades vs the Z fc with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Nikon D5100 vs Nikon Z fc Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Nikon D5100 and Nikon Z fc. The whole galleries are provided at Nikon D5100 Gallery and Nikon Z fc Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D5100 over the Nikon Z fc
D5100 | Z fc |
---|
Reasons to pick Nikon Z fc over the Nikon D5100
Z fc | D5100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | June 2021 | ![]() | April 2011 | More recent by 123 months |
Display resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 921k | Clearer display (+119k dot) |
Touch display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Nikon D5100 and Nikon Z fc
D5100 | Z fc | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very exact focus | ||
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fully Articulated | Fully Articulated display |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display sizing |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Both good for selfies |
Nikon D5100 vs Nikon Z fc Physical Comparison
In case you're planning to lug around your camera often, you are going to need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Nikon D5100 has physical measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 79mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.1") and a weight of 560 grams (1.23 lbs) whilst the Nikon Z fc has proportions of 135mm x 94mm x 44mm (5.3" x 3.7" x 1.7") with a weight of 445 grams (0.98 lbs).
Compare the Nikon D5100 vs Nikon Z fc in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are utilising during that time. Underneath is the front view sizing comparison of the D5100 versus the Z fc.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the D5100 and Z fc is 66 and 79 respectively.

Nikon D5100 vs Nikon Z fc Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it can be difficult to visualise the difference between sensor measurements only by reviewing specifications. The visual below will help provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the D5100 and Z fc.
Plainly, both of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Nikon Z fc to offer greater detail using its extra 5 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos a little more aggressively. The older D5100 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Nikon D5100 vs Nikon Z fc Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D5100 vs Nikon Z fc Specifications
Nikon D5100 | Nikon Z fc | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Nikon | Nikon |
Model | Nikon D5100 | Nikon Z fc |
Type | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Revealed | 2011-04-26 | 2021-06-28 |
Body design | Compact SLR | SLR-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Expeed 2 | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 23.6 x 15.7mm | 23.5 x 15.7mm |
Sensor surface area | 370.5mm² | 369.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 21 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 4928 x 3264 | 5568 x 3712 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 51200 |
Max boosted ISO | 25600 | 204800 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | 209 |
Cross focus points | 1 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Nikon F | Nikon Z |
Amount of lenses | 309 | 21 |
Crop factor | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fully Articulated | Fully Articulated |
Screen sizing | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of screen | 921 thousand dot | 1,040 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen tech | TFT LCD monitor | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentamirror) | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 2,360 thousand dot |
Viewfinder coverage | 95% | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.52x | 0.68x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 4.0 frames/s | 11.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | no built-in flash |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain | Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, off |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | 1/200 secs | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
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) | 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 3840x2160 |
Video file 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 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) |
GPS | Optional | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 560g (1.23 lb) | 445g (0.98 lb) |
Dimensions | 128 x 97 x 79mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.1") | 135 x 94 x 44mm (5.3" x 3.7" x 1.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 80 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | 23.5 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | 13.6 | not tested |
DXO Low light score | 1183 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 660 photographs | 300 photographs |
Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | EN-EL14 | EN-EL25 |
Self timer | Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) | Yes |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) |
Storage slots | One | One |
Price at launch | $0 | $949 |