Nikon D5100 vs Canon 6D

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Nikon D5100 vs Canon 6D

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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.

35mm 855.6mm²
20.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Canon 6D Review.
How does it shoot? Canon 6D in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the 6D.
Compare Canon 6D image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon 6D conclusion.

Succeeded by the Nikon D5200
Compare D5100 vs D5200

Succeeded by the Canon 6D Mark II
Compare 6D vs 6D Mark II

Compare NIKON D5200 vs CANON 6D MARK II

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Differences

Nikon D5100 advantages over Canon 6D

Less expensive
$650* vs $1999
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
D5100 test data on DxO Mark 6D test data on DxO Mark

13.6 vs 12.1 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Lighter weight
829g vs 1448g
Lighter weight

Canon 6D advantages over Nikon D5100

Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 6.54 vs 4.79 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
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.
6D test data on DxO Mark D5100 test data on DxO Mark

2,340 vs 1,183 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

1090 vs 660 shots
Capture more photos
More telephoto lens reach
105 mm vs 83 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Pentaprism viewfinder
Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
More viewfinder magnification
0.71x vs 0.52x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
20.2 vs 16.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Wider angle kit lens
24 mm vs 27 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens
Faster JPEG shooting
4.4 fps vs 3.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
1250 vs 100 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
4.4 fps vs 4.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Higher extended ISO
102400 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
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
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
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

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D5100 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read 6D User Reviews

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Buy the Canon 6D

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 24-105mm Lens

All 6D 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 on par to more expensive full-frame DSLRs (including the 5D Mark III); Responsive all-around performer; Superior HD video-shooting chops; Built-in Wi-Fi with remote control and sharing features, Built-in GPS and geotagging.
Lacks a built-in, pop-up flash; No external headphone jack; Rather basic 11-point autofocus system; Mediocre burst speed.
Read our Canon 6D Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Nikon D5100

Canon 5D Mark III

$650
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$2079
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D5100 vs Canon 5D Mark III

Canon 6D

Canon 5D Mark III

$1699
35mm

Less expensive
Built-in Wi-Fi

$2079
35mm

More cross-type AF points
Less shutter lag

Compare Canon 6D vs Canon 5D Mark III

Compared to Nikon D610

Nikon D5100

Nikon D610

$650
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1198
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D5100 vs Nikon D610

Canon 6D

Nikon D610

$1699
35mm

Built-in Wi-Fi
Built-in GPS

$1198
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 6D vs Nikon D610

Compared to Canon 7D Mark II

Nikon D5100

Canon 7D Mark II

$650
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1597
APS-C

Built-in GPS
On-sensor phase detect

Compare Nikon D5100 vs Canon 7D Mark II

Canon 6D

Canon 7D Mark II

$1699
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1597
APS-C

On-sensor phase detect
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Canon 6D vs Canon 7D Mark II

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

Canon 6D

Sony A55

$1699
35mm

Lens selection
Larger sensor

$734
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon 6D vs Sony A55

Compared to Sony A33

Nikon D5100

Sony A33

$650
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$540
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon D5100 vs Sony A33

Canon 6D

Sony A33

$1699
35mm

Lens selection
Larger sensor

$540
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon 6D vs Sony A33

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