Nikon D3X vs Nikon Coolpix S5100

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Nikon D3X 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 D3X was introduced in February 2009 and Nikon Coolpix S5100 was introduced in August 2010. Let us first list highlights of the models.

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.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon D3X over Nikon Coolpix S5100.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon Coolpix S5100 over Nikon D3X.

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.

Screen

Nikon D3X has a 3.0" screen with 920k dot resolution and Nikon Coolpix S5100 has a 2.70" screen with 230k dot resolution. Both have Fixed screens.

Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder on Nikon D3X

Nikon D3X has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder. It has a 100% coverage and 0.70x magnification. There is no built-in or optional viewfinder available on Nikon Coolpix S5100.

Nikon D3X features a 24.5 megapixel Full Frame CMOS sensor with dimensions of 35.9 x 24.0 mm and a total area of 861.6 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 1,600 and expands to 50 - 6,400 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.

Nikon D3X is equipped with EXPEED processor and can take pictures up to 6048 x 4032 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 5056 x 4032, 4544 x 3024, 3968 x 2640, 3792 x 3024, 3024 x 2016, 2976 x 1976, 2528 x 2016, 1984 x 132 with 3:2, 5:4 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.

Nikon Coolpix S5100 has an image stabilization.

USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

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

Battery

Nikon D3X comes with EN-EL4a battery pack with battery life of 4400 shots and Nikon Coolpix S5100 comes with EN-EL10 battery pack.

External Storage Slots

Nikon D3X has Dual CompactFlash (Type I/II, compliant with UDMA) card slots. Nikon Coolpix S5100 has a single SD/SDHC card slot.

Shutter

Nikon D3X has Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/8000 sec on Nikon D3X, and up to 1/1500 sec on Nikon Coolpix S5100. Nikon D3X can shoot continuously up to 5.0 fps.

Exposure

Exposure meterings of Nikon D3X ranges from 0 to +20 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±5 EV range on Nikon D3X and ±2 range on Nikon Coolpix S5100. You can also do exposure lock and exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Nikon D3X and exposure bracketing on Nikon Coolpix S5100.

Flash

Nikon Coolpix S5100 has a built-in flash. Nikon D3X has no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected via Hot Shoe or PC Terminal. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/250 sec on Nikon D3X.

Nikon D3X body has dimensions of 160 x 157 x 88 mm (6.3 x 6.18 x 3.46") and Nikon Coolpix S5100 body has dimensions of 97 x 57 x 22 mm (3.82 x 2.24 x 0.87"). Nikon D3X weighs 1260 g (2.78 lb / 44.45 oz) and Nikon Coolpix S5100 weighs 132 g (0.29 lb / 4.66 oz).

Nikon D3X

Nikon Coolpix S5100

160 mm

157 mm

97 mm

57 mm

157 mm

57 mm

88 mm

22 mm