• APS-C 368.2mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • APS-H 476.1mm2
  • 25.6 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400

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Differences

Nikon D5100 advantages over Sigma sd Quattro H

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    13 vs 8 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sigma sd Quattro H advantages over Nikon D5100

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-H vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Newer
    8 years vs 14 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More dots on screen
    1620k vs 922k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.74x vs 0.52x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    25.6 vs 16.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
    Yes vs No
    A unique sensor design provides sharp photos without moiré
  • Faster RAW shooting
    4.4 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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

  • 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
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • 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

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Review Excerpt

  • 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.

  • Read our Nikon D5100 Full Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony A55

Nikon D5100
Sony A55
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $734
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon D5100 vs Sony A55

Sigma sd Quattro H
Sony A55
  • $1199
  • APS-H
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $734
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sigma sd Quattro H vs Sony A55

Compared to Sony A33

Nikon D5100
Sony A33
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon D5100 vs Sony A33

Sigma sd Quattro H
Sony A33
  • $1199
  • APS-H
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sigma sd Quattro H vs Sony A33

Compared to Sony A57

Nikon D5100
Sony A57
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5100 vs Sony A57

Sigma sd Quattro H
Sony A57
  • $1199
  • APS-H
  • Larger sensor
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sigma sd Quattro H vs Sony A57

Compared to Sigma sd Quattro

Nikon D5100
Sigma sd Quattro
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compare Nikon D5100 vs Sigma sd Quattro

Sigma sd Quattro H
Sigma sd Quattro
  • $1199
  • APS-H
  • Larger sensor
  • More pixels
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Bigger RAW buffer

Compare Sigma sd Quattro H vs Sigma sd Quattro

Compared to Fujifilm X-H1

Nikon D5100
Fujifilm X-H1
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5100 vs Fujifilm X-H1

Sigma sd Quattro H
Fujifilm X-H1
  • $1199
  • APS-H
  • Larger sensor
  • More dots on screen
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sigma sd Quattro H vs Fujifilm X-H1

Compare Other Cameras?