D5100 vs D90

[jdeg]

There are several differences to consider when deciding whether to purchase the D5100 or D90. They both offer features that are different in a lot of ways. If you need don't need video auto-focus but do need an in-camera focus motor or CLS command mode, the D90 seems like a good buy.

First the differences:

Feature	D5100	D90
Pixels	16.2mp	12.3mp
Sensor Size	23.6 x 15.6mm	23.6 x 15.8mm
RAW	14-bit	12-bit
Continuous shooting	4fps	4.5fps
ISO	ISO 100 - 6400 / Hi-0.3 / Hi-0.7 / Hi-1 (ISO 12,800) / Hi-2 (ISO 25,600)	ISO 200 - 3200 / Lo-1 (ISO 100)/ Hi-1 (ISO 6400)
Movie (highest setting)	HD 1,920x1,080 / 30 fps	HD 1280x720 / 24 fps
Movie Auto-focus	Yes	No
Monitor	3.0 in. (flips to the side)	3.0 in.
Top control LCD	no	yes
Focus motor	no	yes
SDXC	yes	no
Advanced Scene Modes	16	5
Nikon CLS	Supported	Commander mode
Battery	EN-EL14 Li-ion	EN-EL3e Lithium-ion
Battery Life	660 shots	850 shots
Weight	19.7oz.	22oz.
Price	$547 (18-55mm kit)	*$799 - $1050 (18-105mm kit)

*Estimated price you can get the d90 for

They both have:

• 11AF points
• 1 sd card slot
• Plastic bodies
• The same 3.0in monitor (D5100 swivels)

http://nikonites.com/d5100/2498-d5100-vs-d5000.html
http://nikonites.com/d5100/2499-d5100-vs-d3100.html
http://nikonites.com/d3200/5672-nikon-d3200-vs-d5100.html
http://nikonites.com/d5100/2500-d5100-vs-d7000.html
http://nikonites.com/d5200/9382-d5200-vs-d5100.html

 

[goz63]

Advanced scene modes seem to be too beginner for me. The loss of the in camera focus motor is huge, it limits lenses dramatically that can auto focus. The loss of the top LCD is also a big loss. All for the video improvements. If I wanted a video camera I would buy one. It is nice they have this feature in case you need it but why would you buy a DSLR for the video capabilities? Wouldn't you just go buy a video camera that does more and does it better.
Considering the camera bodies are exactly the same price, I would take the D90 over a D5100 in a heart beat.
JMHO

 

[fotojack]

Advanced scene modes seem to be too beginner for me. The loss of the in camera focus motor is huge, it limits lenses dramatically that can auto focus. The loss of the top LCD is also a big loss. All for the video improvements. If I wanted a video camera I would buy one. It is nice they have this feature in case you need it but why would you buy a DSLR for the video capabilities? Wouldn't you just go buy a video camera that does more and does it better.
Considering the camera bodies are exactly the same price, I would take the D90 over a D5100 in a heart beat.
JMHO

A man after my own heart! I couldn't agree more about the video feature on a DSLR! And I'd take the D90 in a heartbeat, too.

 

[AxeMan - Rick S.]

Looks to me it's more of a bridge camera from the D3100 to the D7000.

What Sensor does it have in it? Is it the same as the D7000? I've seen quite a few great photo's come out of the D7000 with the new sensor.

Just bought a D90, would only trade it in for a D7000, once the D7000 proves it's self in time as the D90 has.

As much as I like the new sensor, too many other things to give up just for it.

I'll stick with the proven work horse, my D90.

Rick

 

[goz63]

Rick I agree. At some point you have to ask yourself "how much is enough?". I love my D90. 16+megapix? What am I going to do with that other than eat up more hard drive space. I don't blow up pictures to wall size often. I like to shoot in RAW so you would have to use the large file size to do that. The one nice feature I like on the D7K is the 39 point focus. Is that worth trading in my tried and true work horse? Nah, not today. If they stop making the D90 I would get the D7K over the D5100 for the same reasons I bought the D90 over the D5000. Nikon does make the choices difficult at times though.

 

[jdeg]

What Sensor does it have in it? Is it the same as the D7000? I've seen quite a few great photo's come out of the D7000 with the new sensor.

Yep, it's the same sensor

 

[Gabriel Parle]

i purchased a D90 a couple of months back thinking i couldn't wait for the d5100 i'm not disappointed though no top lcd screen or af motor makes it a no from me

 

[jdeg]

Yeah, I didn't think they would include a top LCD or AF motor in this one since it's roots are from the D5000.

 

[Rick M]

Since all of the new DX lenses have motors built in, I don't think you see motors in non-full frame bodies any longer. They want us to buy DX lenses for the newer DX bodies. I think Nikon is trying to draw a line between Pro (full frame) and the more casual DX format. I think the "semi-pro" term used on the more expensive DX bodies is really just marketing. We are a society which enjoys labels, so nikon is more than happy to capitalize on it.

 

[gbuescher]

Hello, i am new to nikon and photography. I have narrowed down to d5100 and d90. Mainly shooting action sports like soccer, basketball, and football. What is your recommendation?? On the d5100, why does is not having auto focus limit some lenses? Also, is having the lcd on top a big deal?? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!!!

 

[goz63]

All Nikon lenses that work on the D90 will work on the D5100. The difference is that the D90 has a focus motor in the camera body so lenses that don't have a focus motor in them will still autofocus with the D90 but you would have to manually focus them on the D5100. As for the lcd on the top, it makes it easier to adjust your settings in my opinion.

 

[krisman]

hi
i have the d90.
the top lcd is such a blessing! very quick to check settings, change iso, shutter, aperure white balance...well, pretty much everything that needs changing often.
also, the reason no auto focus motor built into the body is a hinderance is because many lenses dont have a motor built in (like the 50mm f1.8 for example) so with no motor in the camera body or in the lens, you have no auto focus so you have to focus manually. D90 OVER D5100 ANY DAY!!!
kris

 

[krisman]

the d7000 has a built in motor

 

[OnyxBunny]

Which one would be better for Portrait Photography?

 

[Marcel]

Which one would be better for Portrait Photography?

The one you own

Seriously, unless you're planning to print huge prints (which I doubt since printing is expensive), I don't think you will see a big difference. However, having the focus motor in the camera can let you use older AF lenses (you can get them second hand and cheap sometimes). From what I understood of your earlier posts, if I was in your shoes I'd get a D-90 and a 50 1.8 D. This would be your cheapest (specially if you can get second hand) solution and you should be very pleased with this combination. Afterwards, you can always get other lenses and stuff. Start with basic and take pictures, the camera is only a tool. The camera you have will take better pictures than the one you dream about.

 

[Clayton]

The articulating LCD screen on the back of the 5100 did it for me. I love being able to put the camera on the ground and take dynamic shots with the LCD staring right back up at me, or go to a concert and hold it over my head...and price-wise I got it with the kit 18-55mm for $800 As far as checking for settings I find it more natural to be able to pull your face away from the viewfinder and glance at the LCD so the top-mount isn't an issue for me. I have the function key set to ISO and both aperture and shutter speed are right at my...right finger tips. I agree about the megapixels being a bit much, but I do concede the in-body focusing motor would be nice. All in all I'm very happy with my choice.

 

[Doubledecaf]

I'm literally about to buy my first dslr and am thinking D90 or D5100. What no one has mentioned is the D5100 is so much smaller - I have MASSIVE hands! My fingers are like spider legs!

 

[Eye-level]

Buy a refurbed D5000 and 1000 bucks worth of lenses...you'll make great pictures...

 

[Clayton]

I'm literally about to buy my first dslr and am thinking D90 or D5100. What no one has mentioned is the D5100 is so much smaller - I have MASSIVE hands! My fingers are like spider legs!

Don't worry about the size, you can always get a battery grip to make the body bigger/wider for your banana-hands Go with whichever fits your price range my friend. They are both solid cameras.

 

[Eye-level]

All Nikon lenses that work on the D90 will work on the D5100. The difference is that the D90 has a focus motor in the camera body

You could just as easily say ALL of the Nikkors will work on the D5100 but only Ai and newer will work on the D90. With a better sensor to boot??? Maybe maybe not....