• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.2 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 23.00mm - 810.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Nikon S5100 advantages over Nikon P500

  • Less expensive
    $180 vs $400 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.7 vs f/3.4
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Thinner
    21 mm vs 102 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    115g vs 499g
    Lighter weight

Nikon P500 advantages over Nikon S5100

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • More telephoto lens reach
    810 mm vs 140 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    921k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle lens
    23 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

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
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • Manual focus
    Neither provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

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Buy the Nikon S5100

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Nikon S640

Nikon S5100
Nikon S640
  • $149
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $250
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon S5100 vs Nikon S640

Nikon P500
Nikon S640
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $250
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture

Compare Nikon P500 vs Nikon S640

Compared to Nikon S570

Nikon S5100
Nikon S570
  • $149
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $180
  • 1/2.3 inch

Compare Nikon S5100 vs Nikon S570

Nikon P500
Nikon S570
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $180
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture

Compare Nikon P500 vs Nikon S570

Compared to Olympus VG-120

Nikon S5100
Olympus VG-120
  • $149
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Longer exposure
  • $121
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive

Compare Nikon S5100 vs Olympus VG-120

Nikon P500
Olympus VG-120
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $121
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture

Compare Nikon P500 vs Olympus VG-120

Compared to Fujifilm S4000

Nikon S5100
Fujifilm S4000
  • $149
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $205
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon S5100 vs Fujifilm S4000

Nikon P500
Fujifilm S4000
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • More dots on screen
  • $205
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon P500 vs Fujifilm S4000

Compared to Olympus SP-820UZ

Nikon S5100
Olympus SP-820UZ
  • $149
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Nikon S5100 vs Olympus SP-820UZ

Nikon P500
Olympus SP-820UZ
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More pixels

Compare Nikon P500 vs Olympus SP-820UZ

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