• APS-C 368.2mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Nikon D5100 advantages over Panasonic FZ150

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.79 vs 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 1.9 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Better color depth
    23.5 vs 19.4 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,183 vs 132 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    13.6 vs 10.9 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 660 vs 410 shots
    Capture more photos
  • 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
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    16.2 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 12 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic FZ150 advantages over Nikon D5100

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    12.0 fps vs 3.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

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.

  • Excellent 24x zoom that starts at 25mm; Solid build; Articulating LCD; Improved sensor and image processing; 12 fps continuous mode; Full HD video at 60p.

  • Tends to blow out highlights; Tripod socket close to battery door; Incandescent white balance is a little warm.

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FZ100

Nikon D5100
Panasonic DMC-FZ100
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Shoots 60p video
Panasonic FZ150
Panasonic DMC-FZ100
  • $498
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • Slow-motion videos
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More pixels
  • Longer exposure

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
Panasonic FZ150
Sony A55
  • $498
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $734
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

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
Panasonic FZ150
Sony A33
  • $498
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Leica V-LUX 2

Nikon D5100
Leica V-LUX 2
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $850
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Longer exposure
Panasonic FZ150
Leica V-LUX 2
  • $498
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $850
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More pixels
  • Longer exposure

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
Panasonic FZ150
Sony A57
  • $498
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
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