Nikon Z9 vs Nikon D5100

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon Z9 and Nikon D5100. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Nikon Z9 were released 2021 and Nikon D5100 was released 2011. That is a 10 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon Z9 2021
Nikon D5100 2011

Type of camera

Nikon Z9 is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D5100 is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon Z9 has a "Nikon FX"-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 **
Nikon Z9 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
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 Z9 has a 46 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 Z9 46 MP
45441024 pixels
8256 x 5504
Nikon D5100 16,2 MP
16084992 pixels
4928 x 3264

Nikon Z9 has a 183 % 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

Nikon Z9 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D5100. Nikon Z9 has an ISO range that stretches from 32 to 102400 while Nikon D5100 has 100 to 6400.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon Z9 32-102400
Nikon D5100 100-6400

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Nikon Z9 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 Nikon Z9
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 Z9 can shoot up to 30 pictures per seconds and Nikon D5100 can shoot up to 4 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon Z9 30
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 Z9 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 Z9 weighs 1340 gr (equal to 2.95 lb) which is 119% heavier than Nikon D5100 and its 611 gr (or 1.35 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon Z9 1340 gr
2.95 lb
Nikon D5100 611 gr
1.35 lb

Nikon Z9 vs Nikon D5100 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon Z9 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 Z9
Nikon D5100
Name Nikon Z9 Nikon D5100
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Nikon Z9
Nikon D5100
Release Year 2021 2011
Release Date 2021-10-28 2011-04-05
MSRP 5500 USD 359 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon Z9
Nikon D5100
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Nikon Z9
Nikon D5100
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type Full Stacked CMOS CMOS
Resolution 8256 x 5504 pixels 4928 x 3264 pixels
Megapixels 46 MP 16,2 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 7 EXPEED 2
Image
Nikon Z9
Nikon D5100
ISO Range 32 - 102400 100 - 6400
White Balance Presets 9 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor Shift (Synchro VR with selected lenses))
No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 6 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon Z9
Nikon D5100
Autofocus Motor Yes No
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 493 11
Lens Mount Nikon Z

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier FX (Full frame)
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 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 Z9
Nikon D5100
Articulated LCD Tilting Fully articulated
Screen size 3.2” 3#
Screen dots 2088960 921000
Touch screen Yes No
Screen type TFT LCD TFT LCD monitor
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.8x 0.78× (0.52× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution 3686400 N/A
Photography features
Nikon Z9
Nikon D5100
Frames per second 30 fps 4 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 900 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/32000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash No Yes
Built-in Flash Range N/A 12 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
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
Nikon Z9
Nikon D5100
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format H.264
H.265
MPEG4
Video resolution 1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
7680 x 4320
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Nikon Z9
Nikon D5100
Memory Card Compact Flash Express
XQD
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Nikon Z9
Nikon D5100
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port Yes No
Wireless Yes
Built-in (IEEE 802.11b/g/n/a/ac/Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Low Energy)
Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control Yes (Via app) Yes (Optional ML-L3)
GPS Yes
Built-in (GPS, GLONASS, QZSS)
Yes
Optional with GP-1
Body & Dimensions
Nikon Z9
Nikon D5100
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details EN-EL18d (backwards compatible with EN-EL18/a/b/c batteries)
Lithium-Ion EN-EL14 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 740 shots N/A
Width 149 mm 128 mm
Height 150 mm 97 mm
Depth 91 mm 79 mm
Weight 1340 gram 611 gram