If you are in a hurry! here is a quick comparison of Nikon D5600 vs Nikon D5100.
|
Model |
Nikon D5100 |
Nikon D5600 |
|---|---|---|
|
Sensor resolution |
16MP |
24MP |
|
Focus points |
11 |
39 |
|
Screen size |
3 inches |
3.2 inches |
|
Touchscreen |
No |
Yes |
|
Battery life |
660 shots |
820 shots |
|
Weight |
560 |
465 |
|
Microphones |
1 (mono) |
2 (stereo) |
|
Maximum resolution |
1920 x 1080 px |
1920 x 1080 px |
|
Max frame rate |
30 fps |
60 fps |
|
Wifi |
Eye-Fi connected |
Built-In wifi |
|
Rating |
||
|
Price |
If you are looking for the best camera that will suit your needs, making the right decision might be challenging since there are a lot of options on the market. You need to know which specifications to keep and mind and determine the pros and cons of each model.
That’s why we decided to compare one of the best entry-level DSLR cameras the Nikon d5100 vs d5600 and find out which is a better option for you.
In this detailed comparison, we will take a closer look at most of the technical characteristics as well as features and performance, to find which is better Nikon D5600 or D5100.
About Nikon
Nikon Corporations is a Japanese multinational corporation that specializes in optics and imaging products. Nikon is a company that has been in the camera market for over 100 years, and it is one of the most popular choices among beginners and professionals.
Over the years, they’ve adapted their manufacturing process. Even at one point, they started making binoculars and periscopes. Another interesting fact about Nikon is that they’ve manufactured lenses for Canon, which is their strongest rival.
The best thing about their cameras is the straightforward interface and durable built quality. They have cameras for every photography level, so it doesn’t matter if you are just starting with photography, or you are an expert, you can find the right product that will suit your needs.
Nikon D5600
Nikon D5600 series is the perfect camera to fill up the space between the entry version Nikon D3500 and a more pro-oriented D7200 series.
The D5600 is a small and lightweight SLR-style mirrorless camera that provides an excellent grip and a very well structured body. Although some of the buttons are oddly small, it doesn’t affect the operations.
With its new AF-P 18-55mm lens, it can deliver outstanding Live View performance. Bear in mind that it is not as fast and responsive, but the autofocus is incredibly useful.
The top of the camera is not overly cluttered with buttons, which accents the user-friendliness of the D5600.
Another important thing is the use of the touchscreen functionality to change settings. With its large enough 3.2-inch display, you can preview your images or videos or go through settings with ease. The display has a 1,037,000-dot resolution and uses the same frame-advance bar that we’ve seen on the previous D5000 series.
The D5600 has a lot of features such as wifi, bigger battery life, built-in Bluetooth, and many more. However, Nikon decided to get rid of the built-in GPS with the D5000 series.
As far as features go, the specifications on the D5600 are almost identical to its predecessor, the D5500. It has the same resolution at a decent 24.2MP, with the APS-C CMOS sensor.
They also decided to go with the same EXPEED 4 image processor with a native sensitivity range from ISO100 to 25,600.
The battery life is decent, and it can do around 820 shots (CIPA). As
Pros
- Great image quality
- Good grip
- Decent touchscreen interface
- Small body
Cons
- SnapBridge needs to work
- Shoots video only at 1080p
Nikon D5100
On the other hand, we have a more beginner-friendly Nikon D5100. Like most current Nikon DSLRs, the D5100 has a sensor without a low-pass filter, which allows you to capture elements with more detail.
Most of the specifications are the same as its predecessor, the D5000, with few fundamental changes.
The Nikon D5100 has an older version EXPEED 2 image-processing engine, which is decent, but not as fast as the EXPEED 4. Nikon’s secret ingredient is to improve image quality that has the most impact with noise control at its highest sensitivity settings.
To increase durability, Nikon decided to make the shell of the D5100 using a monocoque construction, which means that the shell is made from a single piece of material. Additionally, there are fewer screws that hold the camera together, making it lighter.
The D5100 has a small body that gives you a very solid grip when you hold it in your hand. It has a big enough 3-inch LCD which is not touch-sensitive, but still great for maneuvering through settings or viewing images or videos.
The D5100 has a 16.2-megapixel DX-format CMOS sensor that can be found in the D7000. It is not the best class in terms of resolution, but it is a considerable upgrade over the 12-megapixel on the D5000.
As usual, it is capable of shooting Full HD (1920×1080) with expanded frame rates (60, 50, 30, 25, and 24p).
Pros
- Beginner-friendly
- Improved live view with autofocus
- High-resolution display
- Easy to use
Cons
- No wireless flash control
- Special effects work only on JPEG
Face-to-Face
Which DSLR Camera is Better: The Nikon D5600 vs D5100?
Body Comparison
Both cameras look very similar to the naked eye, but when you compare them side-by-side, there are a few differences we need to point out.
For instance, the D5600 is a bit smaller and lighter than the D5100 coming at 465 grams compared to the D5100, which is 560 grams. Both cameras have the same interchangeable lens mount so they can use the same lenses.
In terms of display, both have LCD, and the difference is that the D5600 has a slightly bigger 3.2-inch display with touch-sensitive technology and 1,037,000 screen dots. Whereas the D5100 doesn’t have a touch screen, and it is 3-inch.
Both cameras are made from plastic, but don’t let this fool you since both of them are very durable. Since they are built using monocoque construction, they have an anti-dust system, but both are not water-resistant.
Winner: Nikon D5600
More: Nikon D5600 vs D3500 – Which Should You Buy?
Sensor
The sensor is essential for your image processing and quality. A large sensor will have larger individual pixels that work better, even in low-light sensitivity. Although both cameras have the same CMOS sensor size of 0.93 inches, they have different resolutions.
The Nikon D5100 comes with 16MP, whereas the D5600 comes with an improved 24MP, which means it has a better image quality. The maximum image resolution on the D5100 is 4928, 3264 px, whereas the D5600 goes up to 6000, 4000px.
The higher resolution offers greater flexibility for cropping images or printing at larger sizes.
You need to look at the ISO sensitivity range to claim the winner. In this case, both cameras have an ISO range of 100-25600; the only difference is that the D5600 has an Auto ISO mode.
Another important difference is the EXPEED processing sensor. The D5100 has an older version, EXPEED 2, which is used in the early D7000 series. On the other hand, the D5600 is equipped with a much more powerful EXPEED 4, which improves the image quality with noise reduction, better color accuracy, and processing speed.
Winner: Nikon D5600
More: GoPro Hero 7 Black vs DJI Osmo Action: What is the Best Action Camera to Buy?
Features
One way to choose the right camera for your preferences is to compare their features.
Right from the start, both cameras are very similar since they both have an optical viewfinder. With the same field of view of 95%, you might think that they have the same viewpoint, but in fact, the D5600 has a higher magnification than the D5100. So, objects will appear closer than seen with a naked human eye.
Another essential feature is the touchscreen. The D5600 comes with a touchscreen, whereas the D5100 has a conventional LCD panel. Since both of them have small buttons, the touchscreen can be very useful, even for setting the focus point.
The mobility of the display is the same on both cameras. They have an articulated rear screen that can also be turned to be front-facing. This is a very nice feature, especially for vloggers or photographers that like to take selfies.
Additionally, both cameras come with a built-in intervalometer. This enables you to capture time-lapse sequences, such as sunrise or moonrise, without purchasing additional camera triggers.
Winner: Nikon D5600
Connectivity
If you want to buy a camera that can communicate with its environment, you should always look for the connectivity specifications.
The most significant difference in terms of connectivity between these cameras is Wifi support. The D5600 comes with a built-in wifi, which is very useful for transferring images to an off-camera location. On the other hand, the D5100 doesn’t come with wifi capability.
The differences in terms of connectivity are very significant. The D5600 also comes with NFC support and Bluetooth support, and unfortunately, the D5100 doesn’t have these features.
Even though both have built-in microphones, there is a big difference since the D5600 can record stereo sound with its two microphones, whereas the D5100 can only record mono since it only has one microphone.
However, if you want to record sound with your camera, both of these microphones will not get the job done just as well as an external microphone attachment.
Winner: Nikon D5600
More: Nikon D5500 Vs D5600: Which One Should You Buy?
Battery Life
If you are a professional photographer and you need a high battery capacity, you will probably be better off by buying an additional battery. However, if you are a beginner and want to take pictures or record videos casually, both of these cameras will offer great battery life.
The D5100 has a 1030mAh battery capable of providing you with around 660 shots. In contrast, the D5600 comes with a higher battery capacity of 1500mAh, which is enough for approximately 820 shots.
Winner: Nikon D5600
What is the Difference Between Nikon D5100 vs D5600?
Since the D5100 is more than five years older than the D5600, there are a few key differences to take into consideration.
Body
Given that the body of the D5600 is lighter and smaller, it is much easier to hold, especially for long shooting sessions. In fact, the D5600 is 17% smaller than the D5100 and provides a better grip.
Additionally, the D5600 has a slightly larger touch-sensitive screen that makes an incredible difference.
Image Quality
The biggest difference between both of these cameras is image quality. The D5600 has many more features that will help you achieve the best real-life image or video.
For starters, the focus on the D5600 is much better. It has 39 focus points, compared to the D5100 that only has 11. This means that objects look sharper when you are shooting from a close range.
Additionally, the higher megapixel range is another advantage of the D5600. With its 24.2MP, it can capture more lively photos since the pixel density is greater compared to the 16.9MP on the D5100.
Another slight difference is the faster shooting at higher resolution with autofocus. The D5600 can shoot at 5fps compared to the D5100, which shoots at 4fps.
More: Nikon d3400 Vs d3300: Which is Best?
Video Quality
Both of these cameras can record full HD 1080p footage, but the D5600 can record it at higher frames per second. The D5100 can only record Full-HD video in 30fps, whereas the D5600 can go up to 60fps in 1080p.
This will provide a smoother video, especially if you like to slow down the footage.
The D5600 also comes with a timelapse feature that lets you create a fast-forward video of the long-time recording.
Wifi and NFC
In terms of connectivity, D5600 is the obvious winner. It comes with built-in wifi that lets you transfer images or videos instantly to a different location. It also supports wifi 4 (802.11n), which is a very nice feature to have.
You can also create your smartphone with the camera so you will be able to take pictures or videos remotely and see them on your smartphone.
Since the D5100 doesn’t have a smartphone feature, it comes with a remote control that lets you take pictures and videos without touching the camera.
On top of that, it supports NFC (near-field communication) pairing with another device for instant transfer of images and videos. Nikon decided to remove the built-in GPS signal with the D5600, which is not that big of a deal since it is only used for tracking image places using latitude and longitude.
The D5100 doesn’t support wifi connectivity, and the only way to transfer your data is by using your memory card.
More: Nikon D7500 VS D7200: Who Will Came Out On Top
More Lens Options
Even though both cameras have the same lens mount, some of the lenses are not supported on the newer D5600. This will not make too much of a difference since there are plenty of lenses to choose from designed for all purposes.
The D5100 has 169 lenses available you can choose from, and the D5600 has 101 lenses to choose from.
Color Options
The newer D5600 can be purchased in two available colors (red or black), but bear in mind that the red option is hard to find and unavailable to some markets. On the other hand, the D5100 comes only in black.
Verdict
Choose the Nikon D5100 if:
- You want better moire control with anti-alias filter
- You want a cheaper DSLR
- You don’t mind the lack of wifi
- You want more beginner-friendly camera
Choose the Nikon D5600 if:
- You want higher quality footage.
- You want built-in wifi.
- You want better battery life.
- You want a touch screen.
- You want more detailed images.
Both of these cameras are good entry-level versions. However, since the D5600 is considerably newer than the D5100, it offers better image quality and more functionality.
With its higher megapixels and larger resolution, you will be able to create amazing images that can rival even some professional DSLR cameras.
In contrast, the D5100 is considerably cheaper and a very beginner-friendly camera. It still has a decent sensor that can produce a good image quality.
