Canon EOS Rebel T2i vs Nikon D5100

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS Rebel T2i and Nikon D5100. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Canon EOS Rebel T2i is manufacturered by Canon but Nikon D5100 is from Nikon. Both Canon and Nikon are well known brands though.

Canon EOS Rebel T2i were released 2010 and Nikon D5100 was released 2011. That is a 1 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS Rebel T2i 2010
Nikon D5100 2011

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Canon EOS Rebel T2i has a "Canon APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D5100 has a "Nikon DX"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Canon EOS Rebel T2i 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6
Nikon D5100 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Canon EOS Rebel T2i has a 18,7 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D5100 has 16,2 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Canon EOS Rebel T2i 18,7 MP
17915904 pixels
5184 x 3456
Nikon D5100 16,2 MP
16084992 pixels
4928 x 3264

Canon EOS Rebel T2i has a 11 % larger resolution than Nikon D5100. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Canon EOS Rebel T2i has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D5100. Canon EOS Rebel T2i has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 12800 while Nikon D5100 has 100 to 6400.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS Rebel T2i 100-12800
Nikon D5100 100-6400

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Canon EOS Rebel T2i has a built-in autofocus motor but Nikon D5100 does not. If you want to be able to use autofocus on Nikon D5100 there is a need for having an autofocus motor inside the lens. We really encourage you to look closely at our lens compatibility charts at the links below.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS Rebel T2i
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D5100

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS Rebel T2i can shoot up to 3,7 pictures per seconds and Nikon D5100 can shoot up to 4 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS Rebel T2i 3,7
Nikon D5100 4

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

In this case, both Canon EOS Rebel T2i and Nikon D5100 can shoot movies.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Nikon D5100 weighs 611 gr (equal to 1.35 lb) which is 20% heavier than Canon EOS Rebel T2i and its 510 gr (or 1.12 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS Rebel T2i 510 gr
1.12 lb
Nikon D5100 611 gr
1.35 lb

Canon EOS Rebel T2i vs Nikon D5100 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS Rebel T2i and Nikon D5100, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Canon EOS Rebel T2i
Nikon D5100
Name Canon EOS Rebel T2i Nikon D5100
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS Rebel T2i
Nikon D5100
Release Year 2010 2011
Release Date 2010-02-08 2011-04-05
MSRP 899 USD 359 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS Rebel T2i
Nikon D5100
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS Rebel T2i
Nikon D5100
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm) APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 5184 x 3456 pixels 4928 x 3264 pixels
Megapixels 18,7 MP 16,2 MP
Image Processor DIGIC 4 EXPEED 2
Image
Canon EOS Rebel T2i
Nikon D5100
ISO Range 100 - 12800 100 - 6400
White Balance Presets 6 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Canon EOS Rebel T2i
Nikon D5100
Autofocus Motor Yes No
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 9 11
Lens Mount Canon EF
Canon EF-S

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-C Sensor
1.6x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 38 mm
50 mm becomes 80 mm
100 mm becomes 160 mm
200 mm becomes 320 mm
DX / APS-C (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Canon EOS Rebel T2i
Nikon D5100
Articulated LCD Fixed Fully articulated
Screen size 3” 3#
Screen dots 1040000 921000
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT color liquid-crystal LCD TFT LCD monitor
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.87× (0.54× 35mm equiv.) 0.78× (0.52× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Canon EOS Rebel T2i
Nikon D5100
Frames per second 3,7 fps 4 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range 13 meters 12 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS Rebel T2i
Nikon D5100
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format H.264
MPEG4
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers No Yes
Storage
Canon EOS Rebel T2i
Nikon D5100
Memory Card SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Canon EOS Rebel T2i
Nikon D5100
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control Yes (E3 connector, InfraRed) Yes (Optional ML-L3)
GPS No Yes
Optional with GP-1
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS Rebel T2i
Nikon D5100
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion LP-E8 rechargeable battery & charger
Lithium-Ion EN-EL14 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) N/A N/A
Width 129 mm 128 mm
Height 98 mm 97 mm
Depth 62 mm 79 mm
Weight 510 gram 611 gram