Clicky

Nikon D5100 vs Olympus E-420

Portability
66
Imaging
57
Features
81
Overall
66
Nikon D5100 front
 
Olympus E-420 front
Portability
77
Imaging
45
Features
36
Overall
41

Nikon D5100 vs Olympus E-420 Key Specs

Nikon D5100
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Boost to 25600)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 560g - 128 x 97 x 79mm
  • Revealed April 2011
  • Earlier Model is Nikon D5000
  • Renewed by Nikon D5200
Olympus E-420
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 426g - 130 x 91 x 53mm
  • Announced June 2008
  • Replaced the Olympus E-410
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Nikon D5100 vs Olympus E-420 Overview

Here, we will be reviewing the Nikon D5100 and Olympus E-420, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Olympus. There is a sizeable difference among the image resolutions of the D5100 (16MP) and E-420 (10MP) and the D5100 (APS-C) and E-420 (Four Thirds) have different sensor dimensions.

Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

The D5100 was revealed 2 years later than the E-420 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before delving right into a full comparison, here is a concise overview of how the D5100 scores vs the E-420 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon D5100 over the Olympus E-420

 D5100 E-420 
AnnouncedApril 2011June 2008More recent by 35 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Olympus E-420 over the Nikon D5100

 E-420 D5100 

Common features in the Nikon D5100 and Olympus E-420

 D5100 E-420 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Nikon D5100 vs Olympus E-420 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Nikon D5100 enjoys external 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 Olympus E-420 has proportions of 130mm x 91mm x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") accompanied by a weight of 426 grams (0.94 lbs).

Check the Nikon D5100 and Olympus E-420 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are working with at that moment. Following is a front view scale comparison of the D5100 vs the E-420.

Nikon D5100 vs Olympus E-420 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the D5100 and E-420 is 66 and 77 respectively.

Nikon D5100 vs Olympus E-420 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D5100 vs Olympus E-420 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its difficult to imagine the gap in sensor measurements simply by seeing technical specs. The graphic underneath will provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the D5100 and E-420.

As you can tell, the two cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The D5100 with its bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF simpler and the Nikon D5100 will show extra detail because of its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The fresher D5100 should have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon D5100 vs Olympus E-420 sensor size comparison

Nikon D5100 vs Olympus E-420 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D5100 vs Olympus E-420 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D5100
Portrait photography with Olympus E-420
74
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
57
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
megapixel count low (10MP)
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Street Comparison

Nikon D5100 Street photography info
Olympus E-420 Street photography info
67
screen articulates fully
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
64
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (426g)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Sports Comparison

Nikon D5100 Sports photography information
Olympus E-420 Sports photography information
64
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
better than average battery power (660 CIPA)
has phase detect autofocus
slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
39
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with phase detect AF
slow continuous shooting (4.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (10MP)
terrible battery life (500 shots)
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Travel Comparison

Nikon D5100 Travel photography factors
Olympus E-420 Travel photography factors
77
better than average battery power (660 shots)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
53
lighter than competition in class (426 grams)
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse function
terrible battery life (500 per charge)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly display
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon D5100
Landscape photography with Olympus E-420
73
has manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
good sized screen (3")
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
better than average battery power (660 per charge)
does not have image stabilization
47
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
terrible battery life (500 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D5100 Vlogging highlights
Olympus E-420 Vlogging highlights
69
display is selfie friendly
supports face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has mic port
does not have image stabilization
9
no video recording
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Nikon D5100 vs Olympus E-420 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D5100 and Olympus E-420
 Nikon D5100Olympus E-420
General Information
Company Nikon Olympus
Model type Nikon D5100 Olympus E-420
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2011-04-26 2008-06-23
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed 2 TruePic III
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.7mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 370.5mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3
Max resolution 4928 x 3264 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 6400 1600
Max enhanced ISO 25600 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 11 3
Cross type focus points 1 -
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 309 45
Crop factor 1.5 2.1
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 921 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.52x 0.46x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 4.0fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/200 seconds 1/180 seconds
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) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video file format MPEG-4 -
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 560 gr (1.23 pounds) 426 gr (0.94 pounds)
Physical dimensions 128 x 97 x 79mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.1") 130 x 91 x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 80 56
DXO Color Depth rating 23.5 21.5
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.6 10.4
DXO Low light rating 1183 527
Other
Battery life 660 photographs 500 photographs
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL14 -
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at release $0 $999