• APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 15.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • APS-C 368.2mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Detailed specifications
  • Canon EOS Rebel T1i (EOS 500D)
  • Nikon D5100
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Canon XSi
XSi vs T1i
Nikon D5000
D5000 vs D5100
Successor: Canon T2i
T1i vs T2i
Nikon D5200
D5100 vs D5200
General
Model Number: T1i D5100
Alternate Model Number(s): EOS 500D, EOS Kiss X3  
Camera Format: SLR SLR
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $899.99 $899.95
Street Price:   $649.99
Date Available: 2009-05-01 2011-04-17
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 18.6 oz (526 g)
includes batteries
29.2 oz (829 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 5.1 x 3.8 x 2.4 in.
(129 x 98 x 62 mm)
5.0 x 3.8 x 3.1 in.
(128 x 97 x 79 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Canon Sony
Effective Megapixels: 15.1 16.2
Sensor Format: APS-C APS-C
Sensor size: 332.27mm2 (22.30mm x 14.90mm) 368.16mm2 (23.60mm x 15.60mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 4.69 microns 4.79 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.6x 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 63 80
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 21.7 23.5
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 11.5 13.6
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 663 1,183
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4752 x 3168 (15.1 MP, 3:2),
3456 x 2304 (8.0 MP, 3:2),
2352 x 1568 (3.7 MP, 3:2)
4928 x 3264 (16.1 MP, Other),
3696 x 2448 (9.0 MP, Other),
2464 x 1632 (4.0 MP, Other)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.21), CR2 RAW (14-bit) JPEG (EXIF 2.3), NEF (RAW) 14-bits, RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 3.4 3.9
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (20)
1280x720 (30)
640x480 (30)
1920x1080 (30/​25/​24)
1280x720 (30/​25/​24)
640x424 (30/​25)
Movie File Format: .MOV (H.264, Linear PCM) MOV H.264/MPEG-4
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: No Yes
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Canon EF/EF-S Nikon F
Lens: Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS NIKKOR AF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G DX VR
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 29 - 88mm 27 - 83mm
Focal Length (actual): 18 - 55mm 18 - 55mm
Zoom Ratio: 3.00x 3.00x
Aperture Range: f/3.5 - 22 / f/5.6 - 38 f/3.5 -22 (W), f/5.6 -36 (T)
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 25 cm to Infinity
9.8 in to Infinity
28 cm to Infinity
11.0 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: 58.0mm 52.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom: No No
Digital Zoom Values: n/a n/a
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 9-point, wide-area, phase-detection AF system with f/2.8 cross-type center point 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.
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD Optical / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.87x mag., 19mm eyepoint, -3 to +1 diopter 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): 0.54x 0.52x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.87x 0.78x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 920,000 dots 921,600 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No Yes
Selfie Screen: No Yes
Max Playback Zoom: 10.0x 31.0x
Top Deck Display: No No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 6400 6400
Minimum ISO (native): 100 100
ISO Settings: Auto (100-1600), 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400; H=12800 Auto, 100-6400, Hi-1=12800, Hi-2=25600
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, White Fluorescent Light, Flash, Custom Auto, Incandescent, Fluorescent (7), Direct Sunlight, Flash, Cloudy, Shade, Manual
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 30 sec 1/4000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 35-zone evaluative, 8% partial, 3.5% spot, center-weighted 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)
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Creative Auto, Portrait, Landscape, Close-up, Sports, Night portrait, Flash off, Auto Depth-of-field 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).
Self Timer: 10 or 2 seconds 2, 5, 10, 20 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: E-TLL II auto-popup with red-eye reduction 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
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 13.0 m / 42.7 ft. 12.0 m / 39.4 ft.
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent Lens dependent
Max Flash Sync: 1/200 1/200
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps -3 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot Shoe Hot shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   UHS-I
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: CR2 RAW (14-bit) NEF (RAW) 14-bits, RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format: .MOV (H.264, Linear PCM) MOV H.264/MPEG-4
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No Yes
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Wired: RS-60E3, IR: RC-1/RC-5 Optional ML-L3 IR Remote or MC-DC2 Remote Cord
Connections (extended): Wired remote, HDMI-mini 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): 0.40 0.73
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.38 0.77
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 8 Unlimited
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):   0.77
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 3.4 3.9
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): Unlimited 100
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): 0.16 seconds 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): 0.111 seconds 0.248 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.27 seconds 0.29 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.089 seconds 0.114 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Full Autofocus Live View "Quick Mode"(Phase Detect)= 1.342s Full Autofocus Live View "Live Mode"(Contrast Detect)= 2.591s Optical Viewfinder: Wide-area AF: 0.408s Live View: Full AF lag: 1.28s Prefocused: 0.49s
Startup Time: 0.3 seconds 0.5 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.3 seconds 0.4 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 3.2 seconds 4.0 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):    
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 400 shots 660 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary LP-E5 Proprietary EN-EL14
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 xProprietary LP-E5 Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary EN-EL14 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: Zoom Browser EX / ImageBrowser, PhotoStitch, EOS Utility, Digital Photo Professional ViewNX 2 CD-ROM
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS Windows, Mac OS
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Creative Auto, Live View with Face Detection, Periphery Illumination Correction, Auto Light Optimizer, Highlight Tone Priority, HD Movies, HDMI-mini output. 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.