Upgrade Guide
Nikon D3S→Nikon D5100
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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Worthwhile
Clear improvements over the D3S. Whether it justifies the cost depends on which upgrades matter most to your shooting.
What's new in the D5100
-
Resolution16MP vs 12MP (+4MP)
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Generation2 years newer (2011 vs 2009)
Unchanged or similar
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Weather sealingNot present in new body
Suitability by genre
Base scores — computed from verified specs for an enthusiast shooting photo and video. The Upgrade Checker adjusts them for your skill level.
| Genre | D3S | D5100 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | +0.1 | ||
| Street | +2.0 | ||
| Travel | +1.3 | ||
| Wedding & Events | -2.1 | ||
| Documentary | -0.2 | ||
| Sports & Action | -1.6 | ||
| Landscape | -0.2 | ||
| Wildlife | -0.8 | ||
| Casual | +1.5 | ||
| Food | +1.6 | ||
| Macro | +1.2 | ||
| Architecture | +0.6 | ||
| Astrophotography | -1.6 | ||
| Vlogging & Video | — |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | D3S | D5100 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £168 used | £35 used | |
| Released | 2009 | 2011 | ↑ |
| Sensor | 12.1MP full-frame CMOS | 16.2MP APS-C CMOS | |
| Resolution | 12MP | 16MP | ↑ |
| Video | 720p/24 | Full HD 1080p/30 | |
| Autofocus | 51-point phase-detect (15 cross-type) via viewfinder; contrast AF in live view (tripod mode) | 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 | 9fps | 4fps | ↓ |
| Battery Life | ~4200 shots (CIPA) | ~660 shots (CIPA) | ↓ |
| Weight | 1420g (with battery) | 560g (with battery) | ↑ |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Not weather sealed | ↓ |
| Viewfinder | Optical pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.7x | Optical pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.78x | |
| Screen | 3.0" fixed LCD, 920k dots | 3.0" vari-angle LCD, 921k dots | |
| Mount | Nikon F mount | Nikon F-mount (DX) | |
| Memory Cards | Dual CompactFlash slots | Single SD slot |
Compare side-by-side
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Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the D5100 against your specific genres — not just specs.
Other upgrades from the D3S
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Camera family history