Nikon D5100 vs Nikon D3300

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Nikon D5100 vs Nikon D3300

APS-C 368.2mm²
16.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Nikon D5100 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the D5100.

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Nikon D3300 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D3300 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D3300.
Compare Nikon D3300 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D3300 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Nikon D5200
Compare D5100 vs D5200

Succeeded by the Nikon D3400
Compare D3300 vs D3400

Compare NIKON D5200 vs NIKON D3400

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Differences

Nikon D5100 advantages over Nikon D3300

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Bigger pixels
~ 4.79 vs 3.92 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Bigger RAW buffer
13 vs 7 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Nikon D3300 advantages over Nikon D5100

In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
D3300 test data on DxO Mark D5100 test data on DxO Mark

1,385 vs 1,183 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
More viewfinder magnification
0.57x vs 0.52x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
24.2 vs 16.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Faster JPEG shooting
5.0 fps vs 3.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
5.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
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
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Pentaprism viewfinder
Neither provide
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Adorama
Read D5100 User Reviews

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Adorama
Read D3300 User Reviews

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Buy the Nikon D5100

Body Only

All D5100 Deals

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Buy the Nikon D3300

Kit with 18-55mm Lens (Black)

Kit with 18-55mm Lens (Black)
Kit with 18-55mm Lens (Grey)
Kit with 18-55mm Lens (Red)

All D3300 Deals

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.
Read our Nikon D5100 Full Review

Excellent image quality with lots of fine detail; Very good high ISO performance; Good dynamic range; Good print quality; Deep buffers with JPEGs; 1080/60p video; Uncompressed HDMI output.
AF struggles in low-light; Contrast-detect AF in live view is slow; Buffer depth is shallow with RAW files; No AE bracketing; No built-in Wi-Fi.
Read our Nikon D3300 Review

The Competition

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

Compare Nikon D5100 vs Sony A55

Nikon D3300

Sony A55

$206
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$734
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D3300 vs Sony A55

Compared to Sony A33

Nikon D5100

Sony A33

$650
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$540
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5100 vs Sony A33

Nikon D3300

Sony A33

$206
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$540
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D3300 vs Sony A33

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

Compare Nikon D5100 vs Sony A57

Nikon D3300

Sony A57

$206
APS-C

Lens selection
Higher effective ISO

$800
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D3300 vs Sony A57

Compared to Nikon D3200

Nikon D5100

Nikon D3200

$650
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Bigger pixels

$477
APS-C

More pixels
Shoots 60p video

Compare Nikon D5100 vs Nikon D3200

Nikon D3300

Nikon D3200

$206
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$477
APS-C

Has anti-aliasing filter
Bigger RAW buffer

Compare Nikon D3300 vs Nikon D3200

Compared to Canon T5

Nikon D5100

Canon T5

$650
APS-C

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

$399
APS-C

Shoots 60p video

Compare Nikon D5100 vs Canon T5

Nikon D3300

Canon T5

$206
APS-C

Larger sensor
Less expensive

$399
APS-C

Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Nikon D3300 vs Canon T5

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