Nikon D5100 vs Canon EOS M

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

Manufacturing

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

Nikon D5100 were released 2011 and Canon EOS M was released 2012. That is a 1 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D5100 2011
Canon EOS M 2012

Type of camera

Nikon D5100 is a DSLR camera while Canon EOS M is a Mirrorless camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D5100 has a "Nikon DX"-sensor while Canon EOS M has a "Canon APS-C"-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 **
Nikon D5100 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Canon EOS M 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6

** 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)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

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

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

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

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D5100 100-6400
Canon EOS M 100-12800

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Canon EOS M 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.

Worth mentioning is that Canon EOS M belongs to the Canon EOS M-system and needs an adapter to work with Canons EF, EF-S, MP-E, and TS-E lenses. You can read more about this adapter here:
Canon Lens Mount Adapter EF-EOS M

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

Pictures per second

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

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D5100 4
Canon EOS M 4,3

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Nikon D5100 and Canon EOS M 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 105% heavier than Canon EOS M and its 298 gr (or 0.66 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D5100 611 gr
1.35 lb
Canon EOS M 298 gr
0.66 lb

Nikon D5100 vs Canon EOS M Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D5100 and Canon EOS M, 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 D5100
Canon EOS M
Name Nikon D5100 Canon EOS M
Manufacturer Nikon Canon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D5100
Canon EOS M
Release Year 2011 2012
Release Date 2011-04-05 2012-07-23
MSRP 359 USD 799 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D5100
Canon EOS M
Camera Type DSLR Mirrorless
Sensor
Nikon D5100
Canon EOS M
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4928 x 3264 pixels 5184 x 3456 pixels
Megapixels 16,2 MP 18 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 2 DIGIC 5
Image
Nikon D5100
Canon EOS M
ISO Range 100 - 6400 100 - 12800
White Balance Presets 12 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon D5100
Canon EOS M
Autofocus Motor No Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 11 31
Lens Mount Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF-M

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
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
Screen & Viewfinder
Nikon D5100
Canon EOS M
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Fixed
Screen size 3# 3”
Screen dots 921000 1040000
Touch screen No Yes
Screen type TFT LCD monitor Clear View II TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) No Viewfinder
Viewfinder Coverage 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.78× (0.52× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A 0
Photography features
Nikon D5100
Canon EOS M
Frames per second 4 fps 4,3 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes No
Built-in Flash Range 12 meters N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D5100
Canon EOS M
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Nikon D5100
Canon EOS M
Memory Card SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Nikon D5100
Canon EOS M
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control Yes (Optional ML-L3)
No
GPS Yes
Optional with GP-1
Yes
Optional via GP-E2
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D5100
Canon EOS M
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion EN-EL14 rechargeable battery & charger
Lithium-Ion LP-E12 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) N/A 230 shots
Width 128 mm 109 mm
Height 97 mm 66 mm
Depth 79 mm 32 mm
Weight 611 gram 298 gram