Choosing a camera from Nikon’s wide range can be difficult for first time DSLR photographers. From the entry level to midrange cameras there is not a large difference in potential image quality.
For photographers new to DSLRs Nikon offers three main choices in their range of Digital SLRs with APS-C (or DX) sensors. Nikon sets the specifications of each camera carefully to produce some difference in functionality between the models to give reason for the higher priced models.
- D3100 14 megapixels $US680
- D5100 16.2 Megapixels $US800
- D7000 16.2 Megapixels $US1200
The Nikon model range can confuse as often the superseded models are still readily available alongside the new model cameras. This can be daunting for photographers new to DSLRs who may not appreciate the important capabilities of a DSLR. The photographer’s style and favourite photographic genres will develop as they gain experience using their new DSLR, but it does make choosing their first DSLR a confusing task.
Sensor Comparison
The digital sensor is the heart of any camera and, along with the lens, are a major factor in determining image quality. The independent DxOMark sensor performance data is valuable for comparing digital cameras.
The specification suggest the D5100‘s sensor is the same excellent item used in the D7000 and this is confirmed by the DxOMark test results. While the D5100 offers the same image quality as the more expensive D7000, the cheaper D3100 offers slightly lower performance from its digital sensor according to DxOMark. Minor differences in the DxOMark scores for sensor performance between the D5100 and the D7000 are most likely from production tolerances in the samples cameras tested by DxOMark.
As expected the different sensor in price leading D3100 has a lower DxOMark overall score of 67. This DxOMark score is comparable with the lower priced Canon DSLRs.
There is not a lot of amount of image noise produced the three Nikons and the D5100 only falls slightly behind the class leading Pentax K-5 when the ISO is set to over 1600.
The D5100 has an edge over the D3100 in dynamic range at lower ISO settings according the DxOMark test results shown at the bottom of the article. Landscape photographers in particular try to minimize noise by using the lowest ISO settings possible. Photographers looking for a good landscape DSLR could justifies the extra price for the D5100 over the D3100
Lens Compatibility
The D5100 does not have an autofocus motor built into the camera body and relies on the focus motor built in the lens body of AF-S lenses to focus automatically. The D5100 can still use other lenses from the wide range of Nikkor lenses but with reduced functionality such as having to manually focus, depending on the type of Nikkor lens.
Ruggedness
This shows one reason for the price difference between the D5100 and the D7000. The D5100 is not weather sealed like the D7000 and the body of the D5100 is composite plastic while the D7000 has a metal alloy half chassis and top.
Summary
All three Nikon DSLRs have excellent fundamentals despite the underlying minor differences in specifications.
All use the range of lenses from Nikon and specialist lens manufacturers. There is a wide range of lenses from those for the budget conscious through to premium lenses for professional photographers.
The D5100 offers a compromise between the price of the D3100 and the extra features of the D7000. It offers the potential for excellent image quality at a reasonable price.
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