Advantages of the Nikon D5100
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 |
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Higher resolution movies |
1080p @ 30fps |
vs |
720p @ 24fps |
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Shoots higher resolution Full HD (1080p) video at a higher frame rate |
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 |
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Lower noise at high ISO |
1,183 ISO |
vs |
977 ISO |
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The D5100 has a slight edge (0.3 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance |
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 |
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Better image quality |
80.0 |
vs |
73.0 |
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Around 10% better image quality |
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 |
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Has an external mic jack |
Yes |
vs |
No |
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Record high quality audio with an external microphone |
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 |
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Has in-camera HDR |
Yes |
vs |
No |
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Combines multiple exposures to capture high dynamic range |
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 |
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Has a flip-out screen |
Yes |
vs |
No |
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Flip-out screens can be helpful when composing tricky shots or taking movies |
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 |
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Video autofocus |
Contrast detection |
vs |
None |
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Automatically focuses shooting video |
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 |
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Better color depth |
23.5 bits |
vs |
22.7 bits |
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Distinguishes 0.8 more bits of color |
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 |
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Higher true resolution |
16.1 MP |
vs |
12.2 MP |
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Capture more than 30% more detail in your photos |
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 |
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Better boost ISO |
25,600 ISO |
vs |
6,400 ISO |
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The D5100's boost ISO is 2 f-stops better |
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 |
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More dynamic range |
13 EV |
vs |
12.5 EV |
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0.5 f-stops more dynamic range |
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 |
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Smaller |
127x96x78 mm |
vs |
132x103x77 mm |
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Around 10% smaller |
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 |
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Better maximum light sensitivity |
6,400 ISO |
vs |
3,200 ISO |
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The D5100's maximum light sensitivity is 1 f-stop better |
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 |
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Significantly lighter |
560 g |
vs |
703 g |
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More than 20% lighter |
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 |
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Cheaper |
$496.95 |
vs |
$589.95 |
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The best price we've seen is $93 cheaper (around 20% less) |
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Advantages of the Nikon D90
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 |
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Significantly larger viewfinder |
0.63x |
vs |
0.51x |
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More than 50% larger viewfinder |
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 |
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Longer battery life |
850 shots |
vs |
660 shots |
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Around 30% more shots per battery charge |
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 |
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Less shutter lag |
208 ms |
vs |
273 ms |
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More than 20% less delay when taking photos |
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 |
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Has a built-in focus motor |
Yes |
vs |
No |
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Autofocuses with all autofocus lenses |
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 |
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Has a pentaprism viewfinder |
Pentaprism |
vs |
Pentamirror |
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Pentaprism viewfinders are typically brighter |
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 |
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Slightly less startup delay |
300 ms |
vs |
500 ms |
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40% less delay when turning on |
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 |
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Slightly larger sensor |
APS-C 23.6x15.8mm |
vs |
APS-C 23.6x15.6mm |
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Almost the same |
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 |
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Shoots slightly faster |
4.5 fps |
vs |
4 fps |
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More than 10% faster continuous shooting |
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 |
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Better viewfinder coverage |
96% |
vs |
95% |
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Almost the same |
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 |
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Thinner |
3" |
vs |
3.1" |
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Almost the same |