• APS-C 372.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • 35.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 368.2mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400

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Differences

Fujifilm X100 advantages over Nikon D5100

  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Thinner
    53 mm vs 79 mm
    Thinner
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.7 fps vs 3.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Nikon D5100 advantages over Fujifilm X100

  • Less expensive
    $900 vs $1200 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 3.2 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,183 vs 1,001 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 660 vs 300 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.27 vs 0.40 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    16.2 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 10 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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
  • 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

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Buy the Nikon D5100

Review Excerpt

  • Superb image quality; Dazzling Hybrid Viewfinder; Traditional mechanical controls; Mostly excellent optical performance.

  • Quirky interface; Manual dials turn easily; Manual focus is too difficult to use; Dramatic lens flare, especially at night.

  • 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.

The Competition

Compared to Sony A55

Fujifilm X100
Sony A55
  • $1200
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Integrated ND filter
  • $734
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Nikon D5100
Sony A55
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $734
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Sony A57

Fujifilm X100
Sony A57
  • $1200
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Integrated ND filter
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
Nikon D5100
Sony A57
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Fujifilm X100S

Fujifilm X100
Fujifilm X100S
  • $1200
  • APS-C
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
Nikon D5100
Fujifilm X100S
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Fujifilm X100T

Fujifilm X100
Fujifilm X100T
  • $1200
  • APS-C
  • $1299
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
Nikon D5100
Fujifilm X100T
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1299
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Fujifilm X100F

Fujifilm X100
Fujifilm X100F
  • $1200
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
Nikon D5100
Fujifilm X100F
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Bigger pixels
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
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