• APS-C 368.2mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 560.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Nikon D5100
  • Pentax Optio VS20
Links
Prices: Compare Prices  
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Nikon D5000
D5000 vs D5100
 
Successor: Nikon D5200
D5100 vs D5200
 
General
Model Number: D5100 VS20
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: SLR Compact
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $899.95 $249.95
Street Price: $649.99 $105.84
Date Available: 2011-04-17 2012-02-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 29.2 oz (829 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
8.3 oz (235 g)
includes batteries
Size: 5.0 x 3.8 x 3.1 in.
(128 x 97 x 79 mm)
4.4 x 2.4 x 1.5 in.
(112 x 61 x 38 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CCD
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony  
Effective Megapixels: 16.2 16.0
Sensor Format: APS-C 1/2.33 inch
Sensor size: 368.16mm2 (23.60mm x 15.60mm) 28.198mm2 (6.13mm x 4.6mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 4.79 microns 1.33 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x n/a
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 4:3
Color Filter Type: RGBG  
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed  
Self-Cleaning: Yes No
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),
3456 x 3456 (11.9 MP, 1:1),
4608 x 2592 (11.9 MP, 16:9),
3072 x 2304 (7.1 MP, 4:3),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.3), NEF (RAW) 14-bits, RAW+JPEG JPEG (EXIF 2.3)
Continuous-mode frames/second: 3.9 1.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (30/​25/​24)
1280x720 (30/​25/​24)
640x424 (30/​25)
1280x720 (30p/​15p)
640x480 (30p/​15p)
320x240 (30p/​15p)
Movie File Format: MOV H.264/MPEG-4 AVI (Motion JPG)
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: Yes
HD Video Out: Yes No
HD Video Connection: HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Nikon F n/a
Lens: NIKKOR AF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G DX VR smc PENTAX zoom lens, 11 elements, 8 groups, 1 aspheric element
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 27 - 83mm 28 - 560mm
Focal Length (actual): 18 - 55mm 5 - 100mm
Zoom Ratio: 3.00x 20.00x
Aperture Range: f/3.5 -22 (W), f/5.6 -36 (T) f/3.1 (wide) / f4.8 (tele) - ???
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 28 cm to Infinity
11.0 in to Infinity
40 cm to Infinity
15.7 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:   1 - 20 cm
0.4 - 7.9 in
Filter Thread: 52.0mm n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes No
Digital Zoom: No Yes
Digital Zoom Values: n/a 7.2x
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. Contrast Detection: 93 point AF, Spot AF, Auto Tracking AF, Macro, Super Macro, Infinity Landscape, Manual Focus
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes No
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD 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  
Focus Peaking: No No
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 460,000 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: Yes No
Tilt Swivel Screen: Yes No
Selfie Screen: Yes No
Max Playback Zoom: 31.0x 10.0x
Top Deck Display: No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 6400  
Minimum ISO (native): 100  
ISO Settings: Auto, 100-6400, Hi-1=12800, Hi-2=25600 Auto: 100-1600 (auto range adjustable), Digital SR 100-6400, Manual: 100-6400
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Incandescent, Fluorescent (7), Direct Sunlight, Flash, Cloudy, Shade, Manual Auto, Daylight, Shade, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Manual
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 30 sec 1/2500 - 4 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes No
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0EV 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) Multi
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes No
Shutter Priority: Yes No
Full Manual Exposure: Yes No
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). Natural Skin Tone, Handheld Night Snap (5M), Night Scene Portrait, Night Scene, Digital Panorama (2M per frame), Landscape, Blue Sky, Sunset, Flower, Digital SR (ISO 3200-6400 5M), Kids, Pet, Portrait, Food, Fireworks, Surf & Snow, Sport, Fisheye, Sketch, Miniature Filter, Text, Frame Composite (3M)
Self Timer: 2, 5, 10, 20 seconds 10s, 2s, Remote 3s seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
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, Flash Off, Flash On, Auto + Redeye, On + Redeye
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. n/a
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent 17 feet (wide, auto ISO), 11 feet (tele, auto ISO)
Max Flash Sync: 1/200  
Flash Exposure Compensation: -3 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps  
External Flash Connection: Hot shoe n/a
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC / SDXC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support: UHS-I  
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes No
Uncompressed Format: NEF (RAW) 14-bits, RAW+JPEG  
Movie File Format: MOV H.264/MPEG-4 AVI (Motion JPG)
Included Memory: No memory included 16.0 MB
Included Memory Type:   Internal
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
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
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 Optional infrared
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.  
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 1.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 100 6
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):   200 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 660 shots  
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary EN-EL14 Proprietary D-LI122
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary EN-EL14 Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary D-LI122 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software: ViewNX 2 CD-ROM Software CD-ROM S-SW122
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. Sensor-shift image stabilization, Dual shutter release/zoom buttons, 720p HD movies, Optional IR remote, Digital level. Available in Noble Black or Brilliant White.