Nikon D3000 vs Nikon Coolpix S5100

      Nikon D3000

      Nikon Coolpix S5100
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      Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Nikon D3000 and the Nikon Coolpix S5100, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

      Nikon D3000 was introduced in December 2009 and Nikon Coolpix S5100 was introduced in August 2010. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Nikon D3000 Highlights

      • 10.2 MP APS-C CCD Sensor
      • 100 - 1,600 Native ISO
      • 11 Focus Points
      • 3.0" 230k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentamirror) Viewfinder
      • 3.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • Built-in Flash

      Nikon Coolpix S5100 Highlights

      • 12.2 MP 1/2.3-inch CCD Sensor
      • 100 - 1,600 Native ISO
      • Image Stabilization
      • 2.70" 230k dot Fixed Screen
      • 1280 x 720 Video Shooting
      • Built-in Flash
      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Nikon D3000
      4. Advantage of Nikon Coolpix S5100
      5. Common Strengths and Weaknesses
      6. Screen and Viewfinder
      7. Sensor
      8. Photography Features
      9. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
      10. Other Features
      11. Physical Parameters
      12. For Different Types of Photography
      13. Evaluations
      14. Specifications  

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Nikon D3000 and Nikon Coolpix S5100.

      PROS

      Nikon D3000

      Nikon Coolpix S5100

      •   Built-in Flash
      •   Orientation Sensor
      •   Video Capture
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   Light - 132 g (0.29 lb / 4.66 oz)
      •   Internal Storage

      CONS

      Nikon D3000

      Nikon Coolpix S5100

      •   No Video Capture
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 10.2 Megapixel
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 500 shots
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12.2 Megapixel
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/1500 sec
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   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

      Nikon D3000

      Nikon Coolpix S5100

      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec
      •   DxO Overall Score - 62
      •   Weight - 536 g (1.18 lb / 18.91 oz)
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   Screen Size - 2.70"

      Advantage of Nikon D3000

      Nikon D3000
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon D3000 over Nikon Coolpix S5100.

      Nikon D3000 vs Nikon Coolpix S5100
      Larger Sensor APS-C vs 1/2.3-inch
      RAW Support vs
      Multi Area Autofocus vs
      Selective Autofocus vs
      Continuous Autofocus vs
      Phase Detection for Autofocus vs
      Larger Screen 3.0" vs 2.70"
      Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) vs
      Lower Min Shutter Speed 30 sec vs 4 sec
      Higher Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) 1/4000 sec vs 1/1500 sec
      External Flash Connectivity vs
      Manual Exposure Mode vs
      Aperture Priority vs
      Shutter Priority vs
      Orientation Sensor vs

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Nikon D3000.

      Nikon D40
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      APS-C

      6.1 MP

      Nikon D3200
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Nikon D3100
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      14 MP

      Nikon D3400
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Nikon D3500
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Nikon D3300
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Olympus E-500
      Image cannot be found

      Micro Four Thirds

      8 MP

      Nikon Z6 II
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      24.5 MP

      Nikon D300S
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      APS-C

      12.3 MP

      Olympus PEN E-PL1s
      Image cannot be found

      Micro Four Thirds

      12 MP

      Sony a7S
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      Full Frame

      12.2 MP

      Nikon Z6
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      Full Frame

      24.5 MP

      Advantage of Nikon Coolpix S5100

      Nikon S5100
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon Coolpix S5100 over Nikon D3000.

      Nikon D3000 vs Nikon Coolpix S5100
      Video Capture vs
      Higher Sensor Resolution 10.2 Megapixel vs 12.2 Megapixel
      Higher Native ISO 1,600 vs 1,600
      More Powerful Processor EXPEED vs Expeed C2
      Max Image Resolution 3872 x 2592 vs 4000 x 3000
      Live View Autofocus vs
      Image Stabilization vs
      Live View vs
      Built-in Microphone vs Mono
      Lighter 536 g (1.18 lb / 18.91 oz) vs 132 g (0.29 lb / 4.66 oz)
      Internal Storage vs 32 MB

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Nikon Coolpix S5100.

      Nikon S5300
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      1/2.3-inch

      16 MP

      Sony HX100V
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      1/2.3-inch

      16.2 MP

      Canon G11
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      1/1.7-inch

      10 MP

      Canon R8
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      Full Frame

      24.2 MP

      Nikon S5200
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      1/2.3-inch

      16 MP

      Nikon D5100
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      APS-C

      16.2 MP

      Sony SLT-A57
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      APS-C

      16.1 MP

      Nikon P610
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      1/2.3-inch

      16 MP

      Sony a1
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      Full Frame

      50.1 MP

      Nikon D3X
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      Full Frame

      24.5 MP

      Sony H70
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      1/2.3-inch

      16.1 MP

      Sigma SD9
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      APS-C

      3 MP

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Nikon D3000 Nikon Coolpix S5100
        Built-in Flash
      WEAKNESSES Nikon D3000 Nikon Coolpix S5100
        Low Resolution Sensor10.2 Megapixel12.2 Megapixel
        Timelapse Recording
        No Face Detection
        Screen TypeFixedFixed
        Low Resolution Screen230k dot230k dot
        No HDMI Output
        No Microphone Input
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi via Eye-Fi
        No Built-In Bluetooth
        No Environmental Sealing

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Nikon D3000 has a 3.0" screen with 230k dot resolution and Nikon Coolpix S5100 has a 2.70" screen with 230k dot resolution. Both have Fixed screens.


      Optical (pentamirror) Viewfinder on Nikon D3000

      Nikon D3000 has a built-in Optical (pentamirror) viewfinder. It has a 95% coverage and 0.80x (0.53x 35mm equivalent) magnification. There is no built-in or optional viewfinder available on Nikon Coolpix S5100.

      Sensor

      Nikon D3000 features a 10.2 megapixel APS-C CCD sensor with dimensions of 23.6 x 15.8 mm and a total area of 372.9 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 1,600 and expands to 100 - 3,200 in boosted mode. Nikon Coolpix S5100 features a 12.2 megapixel 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor with dimensions of 6.17 x 4.55 mm and a total area of 20.7 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 1,600.

      Photography Features

      Nikon D3000 is equipped with EXPEED processor and can take pictures up to 3872 x 2592 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 2896 x 1944, 1936 x 1296 with 3:2 aspect ratios. Nikon Coolpix S5100 is equipped with Expeed C2 processor and can take pictures up to 4000 x 3000 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3968 x 2232, 3264 x 2448, 2592 x 1944, 2048 x 1536, 1024 x 768, 640 x 480 with 4:3, 16:9 aspect ratios.

      Image Stabilization on Nikon Coolpix S5100

      Nikon Coolpix S5100 has an image stabilization.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      USB Inputs

      Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer.


      Battery

      Nikon D3000 comes with EN-EL9a battery pack with battery life of 500 shots and Nikon Coolpix S5100 comes with EN-EL10 battery pack.


      External Storage Slots

      Nikon D3000 has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot. Nikon Coolpix S5100 has a single SD/SDHC card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Nikon D3000 has Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Nikon D3000, and up to 1/1500 sec on Nikon Coolpix S5100. Nikon D3000 can shoot continuously up to 3.0 fps.


      Flash

      Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 12.00 m at ISO 100 on Nikon D3000. Nikon D3000 also accepts external flash. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/200 sec on Nikon D3000.

      Physical Parameters

      Nikon D3000 body has dimensions of 126 x 97 x 64 mm (4.96 x 3.82 x 2.52") and Nikon Coolpix S5100 body has dimensions of 97 x 57 x 22 mm (3.82 x 2.24 x 0.87"). Nikon D3000 weighs 536 g (1.18 lb / 18.91 oz) and Nikon Coolpix S5100 weighs 132 g (0.29 lb / 4.66 oz).

      Nikon D3000

      Nikon Coolpix S5100

      126 mm

      97 mm

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      97 mm

      57 mm

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      97 mm

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      57 mm

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      64 mm

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      22 mm

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      Size comparisons of Nikon D3000 and Nikon Coolpix S5100

      Nikon D3000 and Nikon Coolpix S5100 for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Nikon D3000

      Nikon Coolpix S5100

      AVERAGE
      63
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      POOR
      47
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Nikon D3000

      Nikon Coolpix S5100

      POOR
      53
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 500 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      POOR
      54
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder

      Wildlife Photography

      Nikon D3000

      Nikon Coolpix S5100

      POOR
      52
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 500 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      62
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Portrait Photography

      Nikon D3000

      Nikon Coolpix S5100

      GOOD
      71
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      57
      •   Small Sensor
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 2.70"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No External Flash Connectivity

      Street Photography

      Nikon D3000

      Nikon Coolpix S5100

      GOOD
      77
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 536 g (1.18 lb / 18.91 oz)
      GOOD
      84
      •   Small Sensor
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 132 g (0.29 lb / 4.66 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Nikon D3000

      Nikon Coolpix S5100

      GOOD
      79
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 536 g (1.18 lb / 18.91 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 500 shots
      EXCELLENT
      88
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 132 g (0.29 lb / 4.66 oz)

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Nikon D3000 and Nikon Coolpix S5100 and give them scores of 55 and 49 out of 100 recpectively. 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.


      Nikon D3000

      Nikon Coolpix S5100

      OVERALL
      55
      OVERALL
      49

      Sensor

      Nikon D3000

      Nikon Coolpix S5100

      AVERAGE
      67
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 10.2 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   DxO Overall Score - 62
      POOR
      45
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12.2 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO

      Photo

      Nikon D3000

      Nikon Coolpix S5100

      POOR
      53
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec
      AVERAGE
      62
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/1500 sec
      •   No External Flash Connectivity

      Video

      Nikon D3000

      Nikon Coolpix S5100

      BAD
      0
      •   No Image Stabilization
      POOR
      43
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720

      Focusing

      Nikon D3000

      Nikon Coolpix S5100

      GOOD
      76
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      AVERAGE
      55
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Nikon D3000

      Nikon Coolpix S5100

      AVERAGE
      66
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      POOR
      50
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 2.70"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder

      Connectivity

      Nikon D3000

      Nikon Coolpix S5100

      POOR
      40
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      BAD
      36
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Nikon D3000

      Nikon Coolpix S5100

      POOR
      42
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 536 g (1.18 lb / 18.91 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 500 shots
      POOR
      49
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 132 g (0.29 lb / 4.66 oz)
      •   Internal Storage


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

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