Nikon D5100

    67
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    Highlights

    • 16.2 MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
    • 100 - 6,400 Native ISO
    • 11 Focus Points (11 Cross-type)
    • 3.0" 921k dot Fully Articulated Screen
    • Optical (pentamirror) Viewfinder
    • 4.0 fps Continuous Shooting
    • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
    • Built-in Flash
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    Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

    Overview

    Nikon D5100 was announced in 2011 and is an APS-C (23.6 x 15.6 mm) DSLR camera with 16.2 Megapixel CMOS sensor. Its native ISO ranges from 100 to 6,400 and expands to 100 - 25,600 in boosted mode. The camera has a Fully Articulated 3.0" screen with 921k dot resolution and built-in Optical (pentamirror) viewfinder.

    Nikon D5100 can capture video up to 1920 x 1080 resolution.

    Table of Contents
    1. Overview
    2. Pros and Cons
    3. Predecessor
    4. Successor
    5. Screen and Viewfinder
    6. Sensor
    7. Photography Features
    8. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
    9. Other Features
    10. Physical Parameters
    11. For Different Types of Photography
    12. Evaluation
    13. Specifications  

    Here is the Nikon D5xxx series lineup, where you can view and compare the main specifications of the cameras within the same series.

    Nikon D5xxx series lineup
    Model Date Sensor Native ISO Screen Price
    Image cannot be found Nikon D5600
    Compare
    		November
    2016    		 24.2 MP
    APS-C    		 100 - 25,600 Articulated 3.2"
    1,037k dot
    Touchscreen
    Image cannot be found Nikon D5500
    Compare
    		January
    2015    		 24.2 MP
    APS-C    		 100 - 25,600 Articulated 3.2"
    1,037k dot
    Touchscreen
    Image cannot be found Nikon D5300
    Compare
    		February
    2014    		 24.2 MP
    APS-C    		 100 - 12,800 Articulated 3.2"
    1,037k dot
    Image cannot be found Nikon D5200
    Compare
    		May
    2013    		 24.1 MP
    APS-C    		 100 - 6,400 Articulated 3.0"
    921k dot
    Image cannot be found Nikon D5100 April
    2011    		 16.2 MP
    APS-C    		 100 - 6,400 Articulated 3.0"
    921k dot
    Image cannot be found Nikon D5000
    Compare
    		June
    2009    		 12.3 MP
    APS-C    		 200 - 3,200 Articulated 2.7"
    230k dot

    You can view their side-by-side comparison here: Nikon D5600 vs D5500 vs D5300 vs D5200 vs D5100 vs D5000.

    Pros and Cons

    In this section we present pros and cons of Nikon D5100.

    PROS

    •   Video Capture
    •   Face Detection
    •   Live View Autofocus
    •   Fully Articulated Screen
    •   Built-in Flash
    •   HDMI Output
    •   Orientation Sensor

    CONS

    •   11 Focus Points
    •   1 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
    •   No Headphone Output
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
    •   No Built-In Bluetooth
    •   No Environmental Sealing

    And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

    AVERAGE

    •   Sensor Resolution - 16.2 Megapixel
    •   100 Lowest Native ISO
    •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
    •   -1 EV Min AF Detection
    •   Screen Size - 3.0"
    •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
    •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 4.0 fps
    •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec
    •   DxO Overall Score - 80
    •   Weight - 560 g (1.23 lb / 19.75 oz)
    •   Battery Life - 660 shots

    Predecessor

    Here we are comparing Nikon D5100 to its predecessor D5000 and displaying the major changes.

    UPGRADES Nikon D5100 vs Nikon D5000
    Higher Sensor Resolution 16.2 Megapixel vs 12.3 Megapixel
    Lower Native ISO 100 vs 200
    Higher Native ISO 6,400 vs 3,200
    Higher Boosted ISO 25,600 vs 6,400
    More Powerful Processor EXPEED 2 vs EXPEED
    Max Image Resolution 4928 x 3264 vs 4288 x 2848
    Center Autofocus vs
    Tracking Autofocus vs
    Larger Screen 3.0" vs 2.7"
    Higher Resolution Screen 921k dot vs 230k dot
    Higher DxO Low Light ISO 1183 vs 868
    Higher DxO Color Depth 23.5 vs 22.7
    Higher DxO Dynamic Range 13.6 vs 12.5
    Higher DxO Overall Score 80 vs 72
    Higher Video Resolution 1920 x 1080 vs 1280 x 720
    Microphone Input vs
    Lighter 560 g (1.23 lb / 19.75 oz) vs 590 g (1.30 lb / 20.81 oz)
    Longer Battery Life 660 shots vs 510 shots

    For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Nikon D5100 vs D5000.

    Successor

    In 2013 Nikon D5100 was replaced by Nikon D5200. Let us now have a look at some important differences between Nikon D5100 and its successor.

    UPGRADES Nikon D5200 vs Nikon D5100
    Higher Sensor Resolution 24.1 Megapixel vs 16.2 Megapixel
    More Powerful Processor EXPEED 3 vs EXPEED 2
    Max Image Resolution 6000 x 4000 vs 4928 x 3264
    More Focus Points 39 vs 11
    More Cross-type Focus Points 9 vs 1
    Higher Max Continuous Shooting 5.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Higher DxO Low Light ISO 1284 vs 1183
    Higher DxO Color Depth 24.2 vs 23.5
    Higher DxO Dynamic Range 13.9 vs 13.6
    Higher DxO Overall Score 84 vs 80
    Built-in Microphone Stereo vs Mono
    Lighter 555 g (1.22 lb / 19.58 oz) vs 560 g (1.23 lb / 19.75 oz)
    DOWNGRADES Nikon D5200 vs Nikon D5100
    Center Autofocus vs
    Shorter Battery Life 500 shots vs 660 shots

    For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Nikon D5100 vs D5200.

    Screen and Viewfinder

    Fully Articulated screen

    Nikon D5100 has a 3.0" Fully Articulated screen with 921k dot resolution. Fully articulated screen makes this camera selfie and vlogger friendly and generally very useful for video shooting.

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    Nikon D5100 with Fully Articulated screen


    Optical (pentamirror) Viewfinder

    Camera has a built-in Optical (pentamirror) viewfinder. It has a 95% coverage and 0.78x (0.52x 35mm equivalent) magnification.

    Sensor

    Nikon D5100 features a 16.2 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 23.6 x 15.6 mm and a total area of 368.2 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 6,400 and expands to 100 - 25,600 in boosted mode.


    Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how Nikon D5100's APS-C sensor compares with other types of sensors:

    Sensor size chart
    Sensor Dimensions Area Aspect Ratio Crop Factor
    Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
    Image cannot be displayedFull Frame36 x 24 mm864 mm23:21x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.6 x 15.6 mm368.2 mm23:21.5x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
    Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.4 x 13 mm226.2 mm24:32x
    Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
    Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
    Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

    Photography Features

    Camera is equipped with EXPEED 2 processor and can take pictures up to 4928 x 3264 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolutions like 3696 x 2448, 2464 x 1632 with 3:2 aspect ratios.


    Lens Mount

    Nikon D5100 has Nikon F lens mount. Due to APS-C sensor its crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is 1.5x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.5.


    No In-Body Image Stabilization

    The camera does not have in-body image stabilization (IBIS) so it needs lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction.

    Check out the cameras which are frequently compared to Nikon D5100.

    Nikon D5600
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    24.2 MP

    Nikon D5500
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    24.2 MP

    Nikon D5200
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    24.1 MP

    Nikon D5000
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    12.3 MP

    Nikon D5300
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    24.2 MP

    Sony a7S
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    12.2 MP

    Canon 7D II
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    20.2 MP

    Fujifilm X-T5
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    40.2 MP

    Sony a6700
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    26.0 MP

    Nikon L24
    Image cannot be found

    1/2.3-inch

    14 MP

    Canon 1D X
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    18.1 MP

    Nikon D600
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    24.3 MP

    Connectivity, Battery and Storage

    USB Input and HDMI Output

    Nikon D5100 has a USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) input for data transfer. There is a Mini Type C HDMI connector for video signal output.


    Battery

    Nikon D5100 comes with EN-EL14 battery pack with battery life of 660 shots.


    External Storage Slots

    The camera has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot.

    Other Features

    Shutter

    Nikon D5100 has Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec. Camera can shoot continuously up to 4.0 fps.


    Focusing

    Nikon D5100 has 11 (1 cross-type) focusing points and from -1 to +19 EV detection range There is also face detection feature which automatically finds and focuses on faces.


    Exposure

    Camera's exposure metering ranges from 0 to +20 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±5 EV range. You can also do exposure lock, exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment.


    Flash

    Nikon D5100 has a built-in flash with maximum range of 12.00 m at ISO 100 and also accepts external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/200 sec. Flash compensation can be set from -3 to +1 EV with 1/3 or 1/2 EV step increments.

    Physical Parameters

    Nikon D5100 has dimensions of 128 x 97 x 79 mm (5.04 x 3.82 x 3.11"). It weighs 560 g (1.23 lb / 19.75 oz) which is neither heavy nor lightweight.

    128 mm (5.04")

    97 mm (3.82")

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    97 mm (3.82")

    Image cannot be displayed


    79 mm (3.11")

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    Nikon D5100 dimensions

    Nikon D5100 for Different Types of Photography

    We give scores to the camera for different type of photography based on its features and specifications. Let us see how Nikon D5100 is suitable for six different types of photography.


    Landscape Photography

    GOOD
    71

    Nikon D5100 gets a score of 71 and is GOOD choice for Landscape photography.

    •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Environmental Sealing

    Sports Photography

    AVERAGE
    67

    Nikon D5100 gets a score of 67 and is AVERAGE choice for Sports photography.

    •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
    •   11 Focus Points
    •   1 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   Face Detection
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 4.0 fps
    •   Battery Life - 660 shots
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Wildlife Photography

    AVERAGE
    59

    Nikon D5100 gets a score of 59 and is AVERAGE choice for Wildlife photography.

    •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
    •   11 Focus Points
    •   1 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 4.0 fps
    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Battery Life - 660 shots
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Portrait Photography

    GOOD
    78

    Nikon D5100 gets a score of 78 and is GOOD choice for Portrait photography.

    •   11 Focus Points
    •   1 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   Face Detection
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Screen Size - 3.0"
    •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
    •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Street Photography

    GOOD
    81

    Nikon D5100 gets a score of 81 and is GOOD choice for Street photography.

    •   11 Focus Points
    •   1 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Fully Articulated Screen
    •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Weight - 560 g (1.23 lb / 19.75 oz)

    Travel Photography

    GOOD
    79

    Nikon D5100 gets a score of 79 and is GOOD choice for Travel photography.

    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Fully Articulated Screen
    •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
    •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Weight - 560 g (1.23 lb / 19.75 oz)
    •   Battery Life - 660 shots

    Nikon D5100 Evaluation

    We evaluate Nikon D5100 and give score of 67 out of 100. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


    OVERALL
    67

    Sensor

    AVERAGE
    69

    We give Nikon D5100 a score of 69 for Sensor parameters.

    •   Sensor Resolution - 16.2 Megapixel
    •   100 Lowest Native ISO
    •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
    •   DxO Overall Score - 80

    Photo

    AVERAGE
    68

    We give Nikon D5100 a score of 68 for Photo parameters.

    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 4.0 fps
    •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec

    Video

    BAD
    14

    We give Nikon D5100 a score of 14 for Video parameters.

    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080

    Focusing

    GOOD
    83

    We give Nikon D5100 a score of 83 for Focusing parameters.

    •   -1 EV Min AF Detection
    •   11 Focus Points
    •   1 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   Face Detection
    •   Live View Autofocus

    Screen and Viewfinder

    GOOD
    80

    We give Nikon D5100 a score of 80 for Screen and Viewfinder parameters.

    •   Fully Articulated Screen
    •   Screen Size - 3.0"
    •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot

    Connectivity

    GOOD
    75

    We give Nikon D5100 a score of 75 for Connectivity parameters.

    •   HDMI Output
    •   No Headphone Output
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
    •   No Built-In Bluetooth

    Battery, Storage and Physical

    POOR
    43

    We give Nikon D5100 a score of 43 for Battery, Storage and Physical parameters.

    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Weight - 560 g (1.23 lb / 19.75 oz)
    •   Battery Life - 660 shots


    For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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