Decision tools · Compare
D500 vs D5100
Quick take: The D500 has the highest resolution at 21MP; the D5100 is the most affordable; only the D500 is weather sealed.
16 specs side by side·15 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video and Clifton Cameras
How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.
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Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | D500Nikon · 2016 | D5100Nikon · 2011 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £258 used | £35 usedBest |
| Sensor | 20.9MP APS-C CMOS | 16.2MP APS-C CMOS |
| Resolution | 20.9MPBest | 16.2MP |
| Video | 4K UHD/30p (1.5× crop), 1080p/60 | Full HD 1080p/30 |
| Autofocus | 153-point phase-detect (99 cross-type, 55 selectable) via viewfinder; contrast AF with face priority in live view | 11-point phase-detect (1 cross-type) via viewfinder; contrast AF with face priority in live view |
| Stabilisation | No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only) | No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only) |
| Burst Rate | 10fpsBest | 4fps |
| Battery Life | ~1240 shots (CIPA)Best | ~660 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 860g (with battery) | 560g (with battery)Best |
| Dimensions | 147 × 115 × 81mm | 128 × 97 × 79mm |
| Weather Sealed | YesBest | Not weather sealed |
| Viewfinder | Optical pentaprism, 100% coverage, 1.0x | Optical pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.78x |
| Screen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen, 2.36M dots | 3.0" vari-angle LCD, 921k dots |
| Mount | Nikon F-mount (DX) | Nikon F-mount (DX) |
| Memory Cards | Dual slots: XQD + SD | Single SD slot |
| Connectivity | USB 3.0, mini HDMI, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth (SnapBridge), NFC, 3.5mm mic & headphone jacks, 10-pin remote | USB 2.0, mini HDMI, 3.5mm mic, accessory terminal (MC-DC2 / GP-1) |
Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.
How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
D500
D5100
Portrait
5.9/10
5.6/10
Street
4.9/10
5.7/10
Travel
5.0/10
5.1/10
Wedding & Events
6.6/10
4.4/10
Filmmaking
5.1/10
—
Documentary
5.6/10
4.2/10
Sports & Action
6.6/10
4.6/10
Landscape
5.3/10
4.4/10
Wildlife
6.4/10
5.2/10
Casual
3.6/10
3.5/10
Food
5.0/10
5.1/10
Macro
4.1/10
4.3/10
Architecture
4.9/10
4.7/10
Astrophotography
5.5/10
5.0/10
Vlogging & Video
—
3.8/10
Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →
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