Upgrade Guide
Nikon D7100→Nikon D5100
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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Skip it
The D5100 offers little measurable spec improvement over the D7100. Spend the money on glass instead.
Unchanged or similar
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Resolution16MP (down from 24MP — optimised for low light)
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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 | D7100 | D5100 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | -0.2 | ||
| Street | +0.9 | ||
| Travel | +0.1 | ||
| Wedding & Events | -1.9 | ||
| Documentary | -1.1 | ||
| Sports & Action | -1.4 | ||
| Landscape | -0.8 | ||
| Wildlife | -0.9 | ||
| Casual | +0.6 | ||
| Food | +1.1 | ||
| Macro | +0.6 | ||
| Architecture | +0.1 | ||
| Astrophotography | -0.1 | ||
| Vlogging & Video | — |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | D7100 | D5100 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £100 used | £35 used | |
| Released | 2013 | 2011 | ↓ |
| Sensor | 24.1MP APS-C CMOS | 16.2MP APS-C CMOS | |
| Resolution | 24MP | 16MP | ↓ |
| Video | Full HD 1080p/30 (60i), 720p/60 | Full HD 1080p/30 | |
| Autofocus | 51-point phase-detect (15 cross-type) 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 | 6fps | 4fps | ↓ |
| Battery Life | ~950 shots (CIPA) | ~660 shots (CIPA) | ↓ |
| Weight | 765g (with battery) | 560g (with battery) | ↑ |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Not weather sealed | ↓ |
| Viewfinder | Optical pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.94x | Optical pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.78x | |
| Screen | 3.2" fixed LCD, 1.23M dots | 3.0" vari-angle LCD, 921k dots | |
| Mount | Nikon F-mount (DX) | Nikon F-mount (DX) | |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD slots | Single SD slot |
Compare side-by-side
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