• APS-C 368.2mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • APS-C 368.2mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 6400

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Differences

Nikon D5100 advantages over Fujifilm X-E1

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Less expensive
    $900 vs $1400 (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 2.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 660 vs 350 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Less shutter lag
    0.27 vs 0.44 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 16 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Fujifilm X-E1 advantages over Nikon D5100

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Thinner
    38 mm vs 79 mm
    Thinner
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
    Yes vs No
    A unique sensor design provides sharp photos without moiré
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.5 fps vs 3.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    5.6 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

  • 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
  • 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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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D5100

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Fujifilm X-E1

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.

  • Produces superior image quality that's better than many DSLRs; Handsome and functional camera design recalls classic rangefinder models; Surprisingly good kit lens.

  • Mixed-bag operational performance, with sluggish startup and mediocre autofocus speed and shot-to-shot times; Video quality is only so-so.

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
Fujifilm X-E1
Sony A55
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Thinner
  • $734
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

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
Fujifilm X-E1
Sony A33
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

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
Fujifilm X-E1
Sony A57
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Thinner
  • External Mic Jack
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Fujifilm X-E2

Nikon D5100
Fujifilm X-E2
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
Fujifilm X-E1
Fujifilm X-E2
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compared to Fujifilm X-T10

Nikon D5100
Fujifilm X-T10
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
Fujifilm X-E1
Fujifilm X-T10
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • Bigger RAW buffer
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Fast startup
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