Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D5100

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D3100 and Nikon D5100. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Nikon D3100 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
Nikon D3100 2010
Nikon D5100 2011

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Nikon DX") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Neither of the cameras has a Full frame sensor which means that you will get a "crop factor" where the camera's sensor size affect the focal length with a multiplier.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Nikon D3100 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
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 (Nikon)

Resolution

Nikon D3100 has a 14,2 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
Nikon D3100 14,2 MP
14155776 pixels
4608 x 3072
Nikon D5100 16,2 MP
16084992 pixels
4928 x 3264

Nikon D5100 has a 14 % larger resolution than Nikon D3100. 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

Nikon D3100 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D5100. Nikon D3100 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 12800 while Nikon D5100 has 100 to 6400.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D3100 100-12800
Nikon D5100 100-6400

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Neither of these two cameras has a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that supports autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own, and often they rely on the cameras providing this autofocus motor but since these two camera models do not have this either it will result in no autofocus is possible.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D3100
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. Nikon D3100 can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds and Nikon D5100 can shoot up to 4 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D3100 3
Nikon D5100 4

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Nikon D3100 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 21% heavier than Nikon D3100 and its 505 gr (or 1.11 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D3100 505 gr
1.11 lb
Nikon D5100 611 gr
1.35 lb

Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D5100 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D3100 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
Nikon D3100
Nikon D5100
Name Nikon D3100 Nikon D5100
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D3100
Nikon D5100
Release Year 2010 2011
Release Date 2010-08-19 2011-04-05
MSRP 699 USD 359 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D3100
Nikon D5100
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D3100
Nikon D5100
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4608 x 3072 pixels 4928 x 3264 pixels
Megapixels 14,2 MP 16,2 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 2 EXPEED 2
Image
Nikon D3100
Nikon D5100
ISO Range 100 - 12800 100 - 6400
White Balance Presets 12 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon D3100
Nikon D5100
Autofocus Motor No No
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 11 11
Lens Mount Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier 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
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
Nikon D3100
Nikon D5100
Articulated LCD Fixed Fully articulated
Screen size 3” 3#
Screen dots 230000 921000
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT LCD monitor TFT LCD monitor
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.) 0.78× (0.52× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Nikon D3100
Nikon D5100
Frames per second 3 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 12 meters 12 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Average
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D3100
Nikon D5100
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
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
Nikon D3100
Nikon D5100
Memory Card SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Nikon D3100
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 Optional
Yes (Optional ML-L3)
GPS Yes
Optional
Yes
Optional with GP-1
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D3100
Nikon D5100
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion EN-EL14 rechargeable battery & charger
Lithium-Ion EN-EL14 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) N/A N/A
Width 124 mm 128 mm
Height 96 mm 97 mm
Depth 75 mm 79 mm
Weight 505 gram 611 gram