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Nikon D5100 vs Nikon D5000

Nikon D5100

Nikon D5100

Camera summary

The Nikon D5100, made by Nikon, is a powerful Compact SLR camera. Announced on April 26, 2011. This camera has a Max Boosted ISO of 25600. This kind of camera will offer a good performance under low light conditions, probably has a pleasant grain effect in your pictures.

See full specifications
Feature Score
Autofocus specs
4.5 out of 5 stars
Connectivity
5.0 out of 5 stars
Exposure mode
2.5 out of 5 stars
Photography features
4.3 out of 5 stars
Physical
0.6 out of 5 stars
Average Score
3.4 out of 5 stars

Predecessor

This camera builds on the success of its predecessor, the Nikon D5000, with advanced features and improved performance.

Compare this camera to the Nikon D5000

Successor

This camera has now been superseeded by the Nikon D5200, which has more advanced features and characteristics, it would also be easier to get, especially new. Take that into account.

Aside from that, consider that you may probably need to update your camera soon and finding accesories could be more difficult compared to its successor. Of course you can expect a lower price for this camera as a compensation.

Compare this camera to its successor Nikon D5200

Sensor

This camera has a CMOS sensor with a 16 Megapixels resolution.

Focus points

This camera has 11 focus points. Also you can take advantage of its unique cross-type point. AF Face detection available, ideal for portraits and selfies. It offers AF tracking, which allows you to track moving objects

Max video resolutions

1920 x 1080

Expect recording in 1920 x 1080 with support for the following formats: MPEG-4.

Connectivity

Built-in wireless connectivity. Support for HDMI, so you can connect it to screens, monitors or any compatible device. Support for USB, transfer files and upgrade your camera's software directly from your computer.

Battery life

EN-EL14

The battery of this camera can last up to 660 shots per charge with the included EN-EL14 battery. Consider that this value can fluctuate and depends on the mAh of the battery (sometimes generic batteries have more mAh) and also on the usage, the amount of time you use the screen, the flash, etc.

Although this camera may have a decent battery life, its performance is not as great as the most powerful cameras. Always make sure to carry one extra battery, just in case.

Nikon D5000

Nikon D5000

Camera summary

The Nikon D5000, made by Nikon, is a powerful Compact SLR camera. Announced on June 12, 2009. This camera has a Max Boosted ISO of 6400. Most modern cameras have higher values of ISO, this camera probably won't have the best performance in low light conditions.

See full specifications
Feature Score
Autofocus specs
3.6 out of 5 stars
Connectivity
5.0 out of 5 stars
Exposure mode
2.5 out of 5 stars
Photography features
4.3 out of 5 stars
Physical
0.5 out of 5 stars
Average Score
3.2 out of 5 stars

Predecessor

This camera builds on the success of its predecessor, the Nikon D60, with advanced features and improved performance.

Compare this camera to the Nikon D60

Successor

This camera has now been superseeded by the Nikon D5100, which has more advanced features and characteristics, it would also be easier to get, especially new. Take that into account.

Aside from that, consider that you may probably need to update your camera soon and finding accesories could be more difficult compared to its successor. Of course you can expect a lower price for this camera as a compensation.

Compare this camera to its successor Nikon D5100

Sensor

This camera has a CMOS sensor with a 12 Megapixels resolution.

Focus points

This camera has 11 focus points. AF Face detection available, ideal for portraits and selfies.

Max video resolutions

1280 x 720

Expect recording in 1280 x 720 with support for the following formats: Motion JPEG.

Connectivity

Built-in wireless connectivity. Support for HDMI, so you can connect it to screens, monitors or any compatible device. Support for USB, transfer files and upgrade your camera's software directly from your computer.

Battery life

EN-EL9a

The battery of this camera can last up to 510 shots per charge with the included EN-EL9a battery. Consider that this value can fluctuate and depends on the mAh of the battery (sometimes generic batteries have more mAh) and also on the usage, the amount of time you use the screen, the flash, etc.

Although this camera may have a decent battery life, its performance is not as great as the most powerful cameras. Always make sure to carry one extra battery, just in case.

Other features

This camera doesn't include a microphone port, which can be a major headache when recording video or interviews, consider it before buying it.

Autofocus specs

Nikon D5100 Nikon D5000
Af center
Yes
No
Af continuous
Yes
Yes
Af Contrast Detection
Yes
Yes
Af Face detection
Yes
Yes
Af live view
Yes
Yes
Af multi area
Yes
Yes
Af phase detection
Yes
Yes
Af selective
Yes
Yes
Af single
Yes
Yes
Af touch
No
No
Af tracking
Yes
No
Number of cross focus points 1 -
Number of focus points 11 11

Connectivity

Nikon D5100 Nikon D5000
HDMI
Yes
Yes
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
Wireless connectivity Eye-Fi Connected Eye-Fi Connected
DXO color depth 23.5 22.7
DXO dynamic range 13.6 12.5
DXO low light ISO 1183.0 868.0
DXO overall score 80.0 72.0

Exposure mode

Nikon D5100 Nikon D5000
AF area
No
No
average
No
No
Center weighted
Yes
Yes
Multi segment
Yes
Yes
partial
No
No
spot
Yes
Yes

General

Nikon D5100 Nikon D5000
AKA - -
announced April 26, 2011 June 12, 2009
Body type Compact SLR Compact SLR
brand Nikon Nikon
msrp $628.98 $119.00
model Nikon D5100 Nikon D5000
Predecessor model Nikon D5000 Nikon D60
Successor model Nikon D5200 Nikon D5100

Lense

Nikon D5100 Nikon D5000
Focal length multiplier 1.5× 1.5x
Lens mount Nikon F Nikon F
Manual focus
Yes
Yes
Macro focus range - -
Number of lenses 316 316

Other features

Nikon D5100 Nikon D5000
GPS Optional Optional
Self-timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec)
Storage slots 1 1
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card
Timelapse recording
No
No

Photography features

Nikon D5100 Nikon D5000
AE bracketing
Yes
Yes
Aperture priority
Yes
Yes
Built-in flash
Yes
Yes
Custom white balance
Yes
Yes
Exposure compensation
Yes
Yes
External flash
Yes
Yes
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 17.00 m (at ISO 100)
Image stabilization
No
No
Manual exposure mode
Yes
Yes
Max continuous shooting 4.0 fps 4.0 fps
Max mechanical shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Minimum shutter speed 30 30
Shutter priority
Yes
Yes
WB bracketing
Yes
Yes

Physical

Nikon D5100 Nikon D5000
Battery life 660 shots 510 shots
Battery model EN-EL14 EN-EL9a
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Crush proof
No
No
Dust proof
No
No
Environmental sealing
No
No
Freeze proof
No
No
Physical dimensions 128 x 97 x 79mm 127 x 104 x 80mm
Shock proof
No
No
Water proof
No
No
Weight 560 grs 590 grs

Screen

Nikon D5100 Nikon D5000
Live view
Yes
Yes
Screen resolution 921 230
Screen size - -
Screen type Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Touch screen
No
No

Sensor

Nikon D5100 Nikon D5000
Max boosted ISO 25600 6400
Max image resolution 4928 x 3264 4288 x 2848
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW support
Yes
Yes
Sensor area - -
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.7 mm 23.6 x 15.8 mm
Sensor resolution 16 12
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor type CMOS CMOS

Headphone port

Nikon D5100 Nikon D5000
Headphone port
No
No
Max video resolution 1920 x 1080 1280 x 720
Microphone port
Yes
No
Video formats MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps) 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps), 320 x 216 (24 fps)

Viewfinder

Nikon D5100 Nikon D5000
viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
viewfinder coverage - -
viewfinder magnification - -
viewfinder resolution no electronic viewfinder no electronic viewfinder