• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  •  
  • APS-C 368.2mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400

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Differences

Ricoh GXR advantages over Nikon D5100

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.53 vs 4.79 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Longer exposure
    180 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Nikon D5100 advantages over Ricoh GXR

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 660 vs 320 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    16.2 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    3.9 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 15 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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

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 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

User reviews

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Buy the Ricoh GXR

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Buy the Nikon D5100
Body Only
All D5100 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

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K2000

Ricoh GXR
Pentax K2000
  • $1380
  • APS-C
  • HDMI out
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $556
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Lens selection

Compare Ricoh GXR vs Pentax K2000

Nikon D5100
Pentax K2000
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • External Mic Jack
  • $556
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D5100 vs Pentax K2000

Compared to Sony A55

Ricoh GXR
Sony A55
  • $1380
  • APS-C
  • Shoots 24p video
  • Longer exposure
  • $734
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Ricoh GXR vs 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

Compared to Fujifilm X100

Ricoh GXR
Fujifilm X100
  • $1380
  • APS-C
  • More dots on screen
  • Longer exposure
  • $1200
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Ricoh GXR vs Fujifilm X100

Nikon D5100
Fujifilm X100
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Fast startup
  • $1200
  • APS-C
  • Integrated ND filter
  • Thinner

Compare Nikon D5100 vs Fujifilm X100

Compared to Sigma DP1 Merrill

Ricoh GXR
Sigma DP1 Merrill
  • $1380
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Internal flash
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • More pixels

Compare Ricoh GXR vs Sigma DP1 Merrill

Nikon D5100
Sigma DP1 Merrill
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Doesn't require an AA filter

Compare Nikon D5100 vs Sigma DP1 Merrill

Compared to Sony A57

Ricoh GXR
Sony A57
  • $1380
  • APS-C
  • Longer exposure
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

Compare Ricoh GXR vs 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

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