Nikon D5100 vs Nikon D3400

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Nikon D5100 vs Nikon D3400

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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.

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Nikon D3400 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D3400 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D3400.
Compare Nikon D3400 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D3400 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Nikon D5200
Compare D5100 vs D5200

Succeeded by the Nikon D3500
Compare D3400 vs D3500

Compare NIKON D5200 vs NIKON D3500

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Differences

Nikon D5100 advantages over Nikon D3400

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)
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Nikon D3400 advantages over Nikon D5100

Less expensive
$497 vs $650*
Save money for lenses or accessories
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
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

1200 vs 660 shots
Capture more photos
Newer
8 years vs 14 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
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
5.1 fps vs 3.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
5.1 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
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
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
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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Read D5100 User Reviews

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Adorama
Read D3400 User Reviews

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Buy the Nikon D5100

Body Only

All D5100 Deals

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Buy the Nikon D3400

Kit with 18-55mm Lens (Black)

Kit with 18-55mm Lens (Black)
Kit with 18-55mm & 70-300mm Lenses (Black)
Kit with 18-55mm Lens (Red)

All D3400 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

Compact DSLR camera body; Excellent image quality; Reliable single-shot autofocus; Good continuous JPEG shooting performance; New kit lens has improved AF; Great value at current prices.
SnapBridge is slow and limited; Poor continuous autofocus; No built-in Wi-Fi; Mediocre video features.
Read our Nikon D3400 Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon T6i

Nikon D5100

Canon T6i

$650
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$699
APS-C

Touchscreen
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Nikon D5100 vs Canon T6i

Nikon D3400

Canon T6i

$497
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$699
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D3400 vs Canon T6i

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 D3400

Sony A55

$497
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$734
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D3400 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

Nikon D3400

Sony A33

$497
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$540
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D3400 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 D3400

Sony A57

$497
APS-C

Lens selection
Built-in Bluetooth

$800
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D3400 vs Sony A57

Compared to Nikon D5500

Nikon D5100

Nikon D5500

$650
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Has anti-aliasing filter

$697
APS-C

Touchscreen
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Nikon D5100 vs Nikon D5500

Nikon D3400

Nikon D5500

$497
APS-C

Less expensive
Built-in Bluetooth

$697
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D3400 vs Nikon D5500

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