• APS-C 368.2mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800

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Differences

Nikon D5100 advantages over Panasonic GH3

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.79 vs 3.75 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 0.8 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,183 vs 812 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 660 vs 540 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 614k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen

Panasonic GH3 advantages over Nikon D5100

  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.67x vs 0.52x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    6.1 fps vs 3.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 100 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    5.1 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    24 vs 13 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Both provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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

  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

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.

  • Professional quality video in a compact body; Still image quality ranks with the best mirrorless models and even some prosumer DSLRs; Fast autofocus; Rugged, weatherized camera build; Reasonably priced for its advanced feature set; Large selection of high quality lenses.

  • Not as compact as most mirrorless cameras; Live View not available during high speed bursts; High ISO image quality and dynamic range not quite as good as top APS-C cameras.

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
Panasonic GH3
Sony A55
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
  • $734
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

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
Panasonic GH3
Sony A33
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

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
Panasonic GH3
Sony A57
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Nikon D5100
Olympus E-M1
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Panasonic GH3
Olympus E-M1
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Panasonic GH4

Nikon D5100
Panasonic GH4
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
Panasonic GH3
Panasonic GH4
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
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