• APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 18.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • APS-C 368.2mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400

Buy From

Differences

Canon T3i advantages over Nikon D5100

  • More telephoto lens reach
    216 mm vs 83 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options

Nikon D5100 advantages over Canon T3i

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 1.5 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,183 vs 793 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    13.6 vs 11.5 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 660 vs 440 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 9 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    13 vs 5 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Both provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Neither provide
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent image quality; Good grip; Full HD video recording; Swiveling LCD; Very fast autofocus; HDMI output.

  • Slow frame rate for sports shooting; Tendency to overexpose in bright sunlight; Live View AF is slow; No microfocus adjustment.

  • Side-mounted tilt / swivel LCD screen; same sensor and processing as the Nikon D7000; good speed and battery life; in-camera HDR and filter effects; Full HD video capture with aperture control; audio levels control and external microphone jack.

  • AF-S lens mount doesn't offer autofocus with screw-drive lenses; popup flash isn't the greatest; no built-in wireless flash control; HDR function doesn't microalign source images.

The Competition

Compared to Sony A55

Canon T3i
Sony A55
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $734
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Nikon D5100
Sony A55
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $734
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Nikon D7000

Canon T3i
Nikon D7000
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup
Nikon D5100
Nikon D7000
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lighter weight
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Pentax K-5

Canon T3i
Pentax K-5
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Nikon D5100
Pentax K-5
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Top deck display

Compared to Sony A57

Canon T3i
Sony A57
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Nikon D5100
Sony A57
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Canon T4i

Canon T3i
Canon T4i
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup
Nikon D5100
Canon T4i
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • On-sensor phase detect
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