D3100 vs D5100?

OnyxBunny

Senior Member
Sorry to keep posting stuff, but I'm still not sure what camera to get now =( Should I get the D3100 or D5100 & explain WHY.

I want the D5100 bc of the helpful screen & I can see myself when taking self portraits(mostly what I'll be doing) & get better at posing and I love messing around w picture settings & it has a lot to Play with. I'd also be able to take better above pictures & when ppl are in my way at concerts & crowded places I could just see on the screen above all of them. I also wouldn't have to get down to level w a child or pet when taking a picture of them either.

But on the OTHER hand, someone told me not to worry about the Body of the camera & to spend more money on the Lens? So IDK which to get.

http://www.nikonusa.com/Nikon-Products/Cameras/index.page
 

RickSawThat

Senior Member
Here is something I found online:

  1. The first and the most important difference between the D3100 and D5100 is the sensor. Nikon D3100 has a 14.2 megapixel 23.1×15.4mm sensor, while the D5100 has a slightly larger 16.1 megapixel 23.6×15.6mm sensor – the same sensor that is featured on the superb Nikon D7000 DSLR.
  2. Nikon D5100′s sensor has a broader ISO range from ISO 100 to 6400 and can be boosted all the way to ISO 25600. Nikon D3100 is a stop lower, from ISO 100 to 3200 and boost up to 12800. The high ISO performance on the Nikon D5100 is also better.
  3. Nikon D5100 has a better dynamic range than Nikon D3100 (according to DxOMark.com).
  4. Nikon D5100 records twice more colors than D3100 in RAW (14-bit versus 12-bit).
  5. Nikon D3100 is classified as an entry-level DSLR, while Nikon D5100 is classified as an upper-entry-level DSLR.
  6. The new Expeed II processor on the Nikon D3100 is capable of full HD (1920x1080p) @ 24 fps (frames per second) with no exposure control, while the D5100 can shoot 1080p at 24, 25 and 30 FPS and allows semi-manual exposure control. Nikon D5100 also has an external microphone jack to record audio.
  7. Nikon D3100 comes with a 230k dot 3″ LCD screen, while Nikon D5100 comes with a 920k dot 3″ swivel LCD screen – the same high resolution screen found on high-end Nikon DSLRs.
  8. Nikon D5100 allows bracketing up to 3 frames, while the D3100 does not have a bracketing feature (a negative for those who shoot HDR).
  9. Nikon D5100 has more D-Lighting options, letting users choose between Auto, Extra High, High, Normal, Low and Off, while D3100 only lets to toggle between On and Off.
  10. Nikon D3100 shoots 3 FPS (frames per second), while Nikon D5100 shoots 4 FPS.
  11. Nikon D5100 has more scene modes and special effects than the D3100.
  12. Nikon D5100 can do in-camera HDR, while D3100 does not have such feature.
  13. Nikon D3100 is a slightly smaller camera than the D5100, measuring 124x96x74.5mm versus 127×96.5×78.7mm
    of D5100.
  14. Weight-wise, the Nikon D3100 is approximately 55 grams lighter than the D5100.
  15. Both cameras do not have focus motors and will not autofocus with older non AF-S lenses such as Nikon 50mm f/1.8D.
  16. Both cameras have exactly the same 11 focus point autofocus system with 1 cross-type sensor.
  17. Both cameras have the same EN-EL14 battery, but the D5100 is more efficient and will take up to 660 shots on a single charge, versus 550 on the D3100.
  18. The price difference between the two cameras is around $200 – the Nikon D5100 kit with the 18-55mm lens retails for $899, while the Nikon D3100 with the same lens is priced at $699.
Nikon D3100 vs D5100
 

lorendad

Senior Member
One of the first things you'll probably have to do after you fully charge your battery is update your firmware. Follow the instructions provided. Do a search here for D5100 firmware update. I do not want you to be disappointed with your new camera first thing. I had purchased the SanDisk Extreme Video 16 GB sd card. The camera wouldn't see it. I ended up using a older sd card from my Kodak until I found out here what the problem was. The good people here are wonderful and always willing to help. Enjoy! :cool:
 

OnyxBunny

Senior Member
One of the first things you'll probably have to do after you fully charge your battery is update your firmware. Follow the instructions provided. Do a search here for D5100 firmware update. I do not want you to be disappointed with your new camera first thing. I had purchased the SanDisk Extreme Video 16 GB sd card. The camera wouldn't see it. I ended up using a older sd card from my Kodak until I found out here what the problem was. The good people here are wonderful and always willing to help. Enjoy! :cool:
Thank you, I'll remember that!! =)
 

Boomer

New member
I bought a D3100 before a big vacation last September without sufficient research. After much grousing, last December I bought a D5100. It's a big improvement in both pictures and usability.
 
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