Decision tools · Compare
D5100 vs D7100
Quick take: The D7100 has the highest resolution at 24MP; the D5100 is the most affordable; only the D7100 is weather sealed.
16 specs side by side·14 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 | D5100Nikon · 2011 | D7100Nikon · 2013 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £35 usedBest | £100 used |
| Sensor | 16.2MP APS-C CMOS | 24.1MP APS-C CMOS |
| Resolution | 16.2MP | 24.1MPBest |
| Video | Full HD 1080p/30 | Full HD 1080p/30 (60i), 720p/60 |
| Autofocus | 11-point phase-detect (1 cross-type) via viewfinder; contrast AF with face priority in live view | 51-point phase-detect (15 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 | 4fps | 6fpsBest |
| Battery Life | ~660 shots (CIPA) | ~950 shots (CIPA)Best |
| Weight | 560g (with battery)Best | 765g (with battery) |
| Dimensions | 128 × 97 × 79mm | 135.5 × 106.5 × 76mm |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | YesBest |
| Viewfinder | Optical pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.78x | Optical pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.94x |
| Screen | 3.0" vari-angle LCD, 921k dots | 3.2" fixed LCD, 1.23M dots |
| Mount | Nikon F-mount (DX) | Nikon F-mount (DX) |
| Memory Cards | Single SD slot | Dual SD slots |
| Connectivity | USB 2.0, mini HDMI, 3.5mm mic, accessory terminal (MC-DC2 / GP-1) | USB 2.0, mini HDMI, 3.5mm mic & headphone jacks, MC-DC2 remote |
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
D5100
D7100
Portrait
5.6/10
5.8/10
Street
5.7/10
4.8/10
Travel
5.1/10
5.0/10
Wedding & Events
4.4/10
6.3/10
Vlogging & Video
3.8/10
—
Documentary
4.2/10
5.3/10
Sports & Action
4.6/10
6.0/10
Landscape
4.4/10
5.2/10
Wildlife
5.2/10
6.1/10
Casual
3.5/10
2.9/10
Food
5.1/10
4.0/10
Macro
4.3/10
3.7/10
Architecture
4.7/10
4.6/10
Astrophotography
5.0/10
5.1/10
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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