Canon EOS 5D vs Nikon D5100
This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 5D and Nikon D5100. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Canon EOS 5D is manufacturered by Canon but Nikon D5100 is from Nikon. Both Canon and Nikon are well known brands though.
Canon EOS 5D were released 2005 and Nikon D5100 was released 2011. That is a 6 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Canon EOS 5D | 2005 |
Nikon D5100 | 2011 |
Type of camera
Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.
Sensors / crop factor
These cameras have different sensors. Canon EOS 5D has a "Canon Full Frame"-sensor while Nikon D5100 has a "Nikon DX"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.
Camera | Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 ** |
Canon EOS 5D | 50 mm Full-frame sensor No crop factor/focal length multiplier |
Nikon D5100 | 75 mm Nikon DX sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5 |
** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"
Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)
Resolution
Canon EOS 5D has a 12,7 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D5100 has 16,2 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:
Camera | Megapixels |
Canon EOS 5D |
12,7 MP
12719616 pixels 4368 x 2912 |
Nikon D5100 |
16,2 MP
16084992 pixels 4928 x 3264 |
Nikon D5100 has a 26 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 5D. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.
ISO range
Nikon D5100 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 5D. Nikon D5100 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 6400 while Canon EOS 5D has 50 to 3200.
Camera | ISO Range |
Canon EOS 5D | 50-3200 |
Nikon D5100 | 100-6400 |
Autofocus and lens compatibility
There is a big difference between these two cameras. Canon EOS 5D has a built-in autofocus motor but Nikon D5100 does not. If you want to be able to use autofocus on Nikon D5100 there is a need for having an autofocus motor inside the lens. We really encourage you to look closely at our lens compatibility charts at the links below.
Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 5D
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D5100
Pictures per second
Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS 5D can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds and Nikon D5100 can shoot up to 4 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Canon EOS 5D | 3 |
Nikon D5100 | 4 |
Ability to record movies
It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.
It is only one of these two cameras that support recording movies and movie clips and that is Nikon D5100. Sadly, the Canon EOS 5D does not support this.
Weight
The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.
Canon EOS 5D weighs 895 gr (equal to 1.97 lb) which is 46% heavier than Nikon D5100 and its 611 gr (or 1.35 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Canon EOS 5D | 895 gr 1.97 lb |
Nikon D5100 | 611 gr 1.35 lb |
Canon EOS 5D vs Nikon D5100 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 5D and Nikon D5100, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.
Product |
Canon EOS 5D |
Nikon D5100 |
Name | Canon EOS 5D | Nikon D5100 |
Manufacturer | Canon | Nikon |
Release Date and Price |
Canon EOS 5D |
Nikon D5100 |
Release Year | 2005 | 2011 |
Release Date | 2005-08-22 | 2011-04-05 |
MSRP | 3299 USD | 359 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Canon EOS 5D |
Nikon D5100 |
Camera Type | DSLR | DSLR |
Sensor |
Canon EOS 5D |
Nikon D5100 |
Sensor Size | Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) |
APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm) Also known as "DX" |
Sensor Type | CMOS | CMOS |
Resolution | 4368 x 2912 pixels | 4928 x 3264 pixels |
Megapixels | 12,7 MP | 16,2 MP |
Image Processor | DIGIC 2 | EXPEED 2 |
Image |
Canon EOS 5D |
Nikon D5100 |
ISO Range | 50 - 3200 | 100 - 6400 |
White Balance Presets | 6 | 12 |
Custom White Balance | Yes | Yes |
Image Stabilization | No | No |
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating | 0 stops | 0 stops |
Uncompressed format | RAW | RAW |
Optics & Focus |
Canon EOS 5D |
Nikon D5100 |
Autofocus Motor | Yes | No |
Autofocus |
Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous |
Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Center Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView |
Focus Points | 9 | 11 |
Lens Mount |
Canon EF See Compatible Lenses |
Nikon F See Compatible Lenses |
Focal Length Multiplier |
Full frame No multiplier Example: 24 mm remains 24 mm 50 mm remains 50 mm 100 mm remains 100 mm 200 mm remains 200 mm |
DX / APS-C (1.5x) 1.5x multiplier Example: 24 mm becomes 36 mm 50 mm becomes 75 mm 100 mm becomes 150 mm 200 mm becomes 300 mm |
Screen & Viewfinder |
Canon EOS 5D |
Nikon D5100 |
Articulated LCD | Fixed | Fully articulated |
Screen size | 2,5” | 3# |
Screen dots | 230000 | 921000 |
Touch screen | No | No |
Screen type | TFT liquid-crystal color LCD | TFT LCD monitor |
Live view | No | Yes |
Viewfinder Type | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder Coverage | 96% | 95% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.71× | 0.78× (0.52× 35mm equiv.) |
Viewfinder Resolution | N/A | N/A |
Photography features |
Canon EOS 5D |
Nikon D5100 |
Frames per second | 3 fps | 4 fps |
Minimum Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Built-in Flash | No | Yes |
Built-in Flash Range | N/A | 12 meters |
External Flash | Yes | Yes |
Self-Timer | Yes | Yes |
Time-lapse | Yes | Yes |
Metering modes |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
Exposure Compensation | +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Canon EOS 5D |
Nikon D5100 |
Video recording | No | Yes |
Video format | N/A |
MPEG4 |
Video resolution | N/A |
1280 x 720 1920 x 1080 |
Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
Built-in Speakers | No | Yes |
Storage |
Canon EOS 5D |
Nikon D5100 |
Memory Card |
Compact Flash |
SD/SDHC |
Connectivity |
Canon EOS 5D |
Nikon D5100 |
HDMI Output | No | Yes |
Microphone Port | No | Yes |
Headphone Port | No | No |
Wireless | No |
Yes Eye-Fi Connected |
Remote Control | Yes (N3 connector) |
Yes (Optional ML-L3)
|
GPS | No |
Yes Optional with GP-1 |
Body & Dimensions |
Canon EOS 5D |
Nikon D5100 |
Enviromentally sealed | Yes | No |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
Lithium-Ion BP-511A rechargeable battery & charger
|
Lithium-Ion EN-EL14 rechargeable battery & charger
|
Battery Life (CIPA) | 400 shots | N/A |
Width | 152 mm | 128 mm |
Height | 113 mm | 97 mm |
Depth | 75 mm | 79 mm |
Weight | 895 gram | 611 gram |