• APS-C 368.2mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • Detailed specifications
  • Nikon D5100
  • Olympus PEN E-PL8
Links
Prices: Compare Prices Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Nikon D5000
D5000 vs D5100
Olympus E-PL7
E-PL7 vs E-PL8
Successor: Nikon D5200
D5100 vs D5200
Olympus E-PL9
E-PL8 vs E-PL9
General
Model Number: D5100 E-PL8
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: SLR Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No Yes
Retail Price: $899.95 $649.99
Street Price: $649.99 $599.00
Date Available: 2011-04-17 2016-10-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 29.2 oz (829 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
17.2 oz (487 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 5.0 x 3.8 x 3.1 in.
(128 x 97 x 79 mm)
4.6 x 2.7 x 1.5 in.
(117 x 68 x 38 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS Live MOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony Sony
Effective Megapixels: 16.2 16.1
Sensor Format: APS-C 4/3
Sensor size: 368.16mm2 (23.60mm x 15.60mm) 224.9mm2 (17.30mm x 13.00mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 4.79 microns 3.75 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x 2.0x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 4:3
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 80  
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 23.5  
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 13.6  
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 1,183  
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4928 x 3264 (16.1 MP, Other),
3696 x 2448 (9.0 MP, Other),
2464 x 1632 (4.0 MP, Other)
4608 x 3456 (15.9 MP, 4:3),
3200 x 2400 (7.7 MP, 4:3),
2560 x 1920 (4.9 MP, 4:3),
1280 x 960 (1.2 MP, 4:3),
1024 x 768 (0.8 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.3), NEF (RAW) 14-bits, RAW+JPEG JPEG, 12-bit RAW, RAW + JPEG, MPO
Continuous-mode frames/second: 3.9 8.5
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (30/​25/​24)
1280x720 (30/​25/​24)
640x424 (30/​25)
1920x1080 (30p (24 or 16Mbps))
1280x720 (30p (12 or 8Mbps))
640x480 (30p)
Movie File Format: MOV H.264/MPEG-4 MOV (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264), AVI (Motion JPEG); Linear PCM 16-bit, 48kHz stereo audio
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: Yes No
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Nikon F Micro Four Thirds
Lens: NIKKOR AF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G DX VR Olympus 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 II R MSC M.Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 27 - 83mm 28 - 84mm
Focal Length (actual): 18 - 55mm 14 - 42mm
Zoom Ratio: 3.00x 3.00x
Aperture Range: f/3.5 -22 (W), f/5.6 -36 (T) f/3.5 (wide) / f/5.6 (tele) - f/22
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 28 cm to Infinity
11.0 in to Infinity
25 cm to Infinity
9.8 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: 52.0mm 37.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes No
Digital Zoom: No Yes
Digital Zoom Values: n/a 2x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 11 point TTL phase detection with 3D focus tracking by Nikon Multi-CAM 1000; Single-point, Dynamic and Auto Area modes. One cross-type sensor. High-speed Contrast-detect AF: 81-area multiple AF; All target, Group target area (9-area), Single target (normal/small); Eye detection with left/right/nearest priority
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD No / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentamirror, ~95% coverage, ~0.78x magnification (50mm f/1.4 lens and infinity, -1.0m^1), 17.9mm eyepoint (-1.0m^1), -1.7 to +0.7 diopter Optional VF-4 electronic viewfinder
Focus Peaking: No Yes
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.52x  
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.78x  
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 921,600 dots 1,036,800 dots
Touchscreen: No Yes
Articulating Screen: Yes Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: Yes No
Selfie Screen: Yes Yes
Max Playback Zoom: 31.0x 14.0x
Top Deck Display: No No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 6400 25600
Minimum ISO (native): 100 200
ISO Settings: Auto, 100-6400, Hi-1=12800, Hi-2=25600 AUTO ISO: 100 (Low) - 25600 (Customizable, Default 100-1600); Manual ISO: 100 (Low), 200 - 25600, 1/3 or 1 EV steps selectable
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Incandescent, Fluorescent (7), Direct Sunlight, Flash, Cloudy, Shade, Manual Auto, Sunny, Shadow, Cloudy, Incandescent, , Fluorescent, Underwater, Flash, Custom (4), Kelvin
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 30 sec 1/4000 - 60 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 3D Color Matrix Metering II (420-pixel RGB), Center-weighted (75% given to 8mm circle in the center), Spot (3.5mm circle (2.5%) centered on selected focus point) Digital ESP metering (324-area multi pattern metering), Center weighted average metering, Spot metering, Spot metering with highlight control, Spot metering with shadow control
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Child, Sports, Close up, Scene (Party/indoor, Beach/snow, Sunset, Dusk/dawn, Pet portrait, Candlelight, Blossom, Autumn colors, Food, Night portrait, Night landscape), Special Effects (Stills or D-movies: Silhouette, Selective Color, Night Vision, High Key, Low Key, Miniature Effect, Color Sketch). Scene (Portrait, e-Portrait, Landscape, Landscape + Portrait, Sport, Night, Night + Portrait, Children, High Key, Low Key, DIS mode, Macro, Nature Macro, Candle, Sunset, Documents, Panorama, Fireworks, Beach & Snow, Fisheye Conv., Wide Conv., Macro Conv., 3D*, Underwater wide/macro, Custom Mysets 1-4 *3D lens(H-FT012 by Panasonic) only, still only); Art Filters (Pop Art, Soft Focus, Pale & Light Color, Light Tone, Grainy Film, Pin Hole, Diorama, Cross Process, Gentle Sepia, Dramatic Tone, Key Line, Water Color, Vintage, Partial Color); Gradation (Auto, Normal, High Key, Low Key); Multiple Exposure (2 frames); HDR1/2 (4 frames)
Self Timer: 2, 5, 10, 20 seconds 2, 12, custom seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):   Yes
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes No
Flash Modes: Auto, auto with red-eye reduction, auto slow sync, auto slow sync with red-eye reduction, fill-flash, red-eye reduction, slow sync, slow sync with red-eye reduction, rear-curtain with slow sync, rear-curtain sync, off; 18-300mm coveraqge Auto, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction slow sync., Slow sync at 1st curtain, Slow sync at 2nd curtain, Fill-in, Manual (Full, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32, 1/64), Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. 7.0 m / 23.0 ft.
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent Bundled FL-LM1 flash has GN of 7m (ISO 100) or 10m (ISO 200)
Max Flash Sync: 1/200 1/250
Flash Exposure Compensation: -3 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot shoe Hot Shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:   Full TTL exposure
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC / SDXC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support: UHS-I UHS-I
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: NEF (RAW) 14-bits, RAW+JPEG 12-bit RAW, RAW + JPEG, MPO
Movie File Format: MOV H.264/MPEG-4 MOV (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264), AVI (Motion JPEG); Linear PCM 16-bit, 48kHz stereo audio
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No Yes
NFC: No No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: Yes No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: Yes No
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional ML-L3 IR Remote or MC-DC2 Remote Cord Wi-Fi or Optional Remote Cable RM-UC1
Connections (extended): HDMI Out (with CEC), Accessory Terminal for Wired Remote (MC-DC2) or GPS (GP-1), 3.5mm Stereo Mic Jack; DC-input via dummy battery AC adapter. Micro HDMI (Type-D), combined AV/USB/Remote connector, Accessory Port 2, Built-in Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11b/g/n)
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.73  
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.77  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): Unlimited  
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): 0.77  
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 3.9 8.5
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 100  
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 4.0  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): 13  
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 3.9  
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): 9  
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.27 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR): 1.28 seconds  
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR): 0.488 seconds  
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.248 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.29 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.114 seconds  
Shutter Lag (notes): Optical Viewfinder: Wide-area AF: 0.408s Live View: Full AF lag: 1.28s Prefocused: 0.49s  
Startup Time: 0.5 seconds  
Play -> Record Time: 0.4 seconds  
Flash cycle time, full power: 4.0 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   350 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 660 shots  
Battery Life, Video:   90 minutes
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary EN-EL14 Proprietary BLS-50
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary EN-EL14 Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary BLS-50 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No No
Software
Included Software: ViewNX 2 CD-ROM OLYMPUS Viewer 3 CD-ROM
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS  
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: 3" Vari-angle 921K-dot LCD, Full HD Videos (up to 1920x1080@30fps), In-camera Special Effects, Night Vision mode, HDR, Active D-Lighting, 3.5mm External Stereo Mic socket. Available in black, white or brown.