Nikon D5100 vs D5000
D5100 and D5000 are two entry level DSLR from Nixon. For photographers and photography enthusiasts, the name Nikon has always been a synonym for reliability and efficiency. It has been making world class DSLR for quite some time now. D5000, which was a popular entry level DSLR launched 2 years ago needed an upgrade that has come in the shape of D5100 now. Let us see the differences between D5100 and D5000.
D5100 vs. D5000
As an entry level DSLR, there are quite a few changes in features of D5100 that set it apart from D5000. It has a new special effects mode and a slide out 3 inch LCD screen. It has a 16.2 MP CMOS sensor having a size of 23.6 x 15.6 mm, whereas D5000 is a 12.3 MP camera with sensor size of 23.6 x 15.8mm.
D5100 has a better sensitivity range than D5000. The ISO range in D5100 is 100-6400 with a high setting of 12800 while this range is 200-3200 in D5000 with the highest settings of 6400.
While both D5100 and D5000 can make HD videos, 5100 can make them in higher resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels at 30fps whereas D500 can go only op to 1280 x 720 at 24 fps.
While D5100 is equipped with auto focus during video making mode, it is not there in D5000.
The LCD monitor in D5100 is 3.0” whereas it is just 2.7 inches in D5000.
Microphone jack has been provided with D5100, whereas it is not there in D5000.
D5100 has a better battery life as one can go up to 660 shots continuously while the limit in D5000 is only 510 shots.
D5100 makes use of an upgraded Expeed 2 processor whereas it is Expeed in D5000.
Vari-angle monitor in D5100 has 921K dots whereas it is only 230 k in D5000. This is a major upgrade in D5100.
D5100 is 10% smaller and also lighter than D5000. The grip has been redesigned and is better in D5100 than D5000.
While dimensions of D5100 are 128 x 97 x 79 mm and it weighs 560g, D5000 measured 127 x 104 x 80mm and weighed 590g.
Summary
It is clear from the above comparison that D5100 is a big up grade on D5000 with a better vari-angle LCD, HD videos in 1080p, a new 3.5mm audio input jack, a better processor in Expeed 2, higher settings of sensitivity and a high resolution CMOS sensor. However, there is also a price difference of $200 between these two models and hence it makes sense to choose depending upon one’s requirements and budget.