Canon EOS 70D vs Nikon D5100
This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 70D and Nikon D5100. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Canon EOS 70D is manufacturered by Canon but Nikon D5100 is from Nikon. Both Canon and Nikon are well known brands though.
Canon EOS 70D were released 2013 and Nikon D5100 was released 2011. That is a 2 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.| Camera | Released |
| Canon EOS 70D | 2013 |
| 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 70D has a "Canon APS-C"-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 70D | 80 mm Canon APS-C sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6 |
| 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 70D has a 20,2 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 70D |
20,2 MP
19961856 pixels 5472 x 3648 |
| Nikon D5100 |
16,2 MP
16084992 pixels 4928 x 3264 |
Canon EOS 70D has a 24 % larger resolution than Nikon D5100. 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
Canon EOS 70D has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D5100. Canon EOS 70D has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 12800 while Nikon D5100 has 100 to 6400.
| Camera | ISO Range |
| Canon EOS 70D | 100-12800 |
| Nikon D5100 | 100-6400 |
Autofocus and lens compatibility
There is a big difference between these two cameras. Canon EOS 70D 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 70D
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 70D can shoot up to 7 pictures per seconds and Nikon D5100 can shoot up to 4 pictures per seconds.
| Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
| Canon EOS 70D | 7 |
| Nikon D5100 | 4 |
Ability to record movies
It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.
In this case, both Canon EOS 70D and Nikon D5100 can shoot movies.
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 70D weighs 755 gr (equal to 1.66 lb) which is 24% heavier than Nikon D5100 and its 611 gr (or 1.35 lb).
| Camera | Weight |
| Canon EOS 70D | 755 gr 1.66 lb |
| Nikon D5100 | 611 gr 1.35 lb |
Canon EOS 70D vs Nikon D5100 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 70D 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 70D |
Nikon D5100 |
| Name | Canon EOS 70D | Nikon D5100 |
| Manufacturer | Canon | Nikon |
Release Date and Price |
Canon EOS 70D |
Nikon D5100 |
| Release Year | 2013 | 2011 |
| Release Date | 2013-07-02 | 2011-04-05 |
| MSRP | 1199 USD | 359 USD |
| Buy it today |
|
|
Camera Type |
Canon EOS 70D |
Nikon D5100 |
| Camera Type | DSLR | DSLR |
Sensor |
Canon EOS 70D |
Nikon D5100 |
| Sensor Size | APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm) |
APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm) Also known as "DX" |
| Sensor Type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Resolution | 5472 x 3648 pixels | 4928 x 3264 pixels |
| Megapixels | 20,2 MP | 16,2 MP |
| Image Processor | DIGIC 5+ | EXPEED 2 |
Image |
Canon EOS 70D |
Nikon D5100 |
| ISO Range | 100 - 12800 | 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 70D |
Nikon D5100 |
| Autofocus Motor | Yes | No |
| Autofocus |
Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Center Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Touch Face Detection LiveView |
Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Center Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView |
| Focus Points | 19 | 11 |
| Lens Mount |
Canon EF Canon EF-S See Compatible Lenses |
Nikon F See Compatible Lenses |
| Focal Length Multiplier |
APS-C Sensor 1.6x multiplier Example: 24 mm becomes 38 mm 50 mm becomes 80 mm 100 mm becomes 160 mm 200 mm becomes 320 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 70D |
Nikon D5100 |
| Articulated LCD | Fully articulated | Fully articulated |
| Screen size | 3” | 3# |
| Screen dots | 1040000 | 921000 |
| Touch screen | Yes | No |
| Screen type | Clear View II TFT color LCD | TFT LCD monitor |
| Live view | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder Type | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 98% | 95% |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 0.95× (0.59× 35mm equiv.) | 0.78× (0.52× 35mm equiv.) |
| Viewfinder Resolution | 0 | N/A |
Photography features |
Canon EOS 70D |
Nikon D5100 |
| Frames per second | 7 fps | 4 fps |
| Minimum Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
| Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
| Built-in Flash | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Flash Range | 12 meters | 12 meters |
| External Flash | Yes | Yes |
| Self-Timer | Yes | Yes |
| Time-lapse | Yes | Yes |
| Metering modes |
Multi Center Weighted Spot Partial |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
| Exposure Compensation | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Canon EOS 70D |
Nikon D5100 |
| Video recording | Yes | Yes |
| Video format |
H.264 |
MPEG4 |
| Video resolution |
1280 x 720 1920 x 1080 |
1280 x 720 1920 x 1080 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Speakers | Yes | Yes |
Storage |
Canon EOS 70D |
Nikon D5100 |
| Memory Card |
SD/SDHC |
SD/SDHC |
Connectivity |
Canon EOS 70D |
Nikon D5100 |
| HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
| Microphone Port | Yes | Yes |
| Headphone Port | No | No |
| Wireless |
Yes |
Yes Eye-Fi Connected |
| Remote Control |
Yes (RS-60E3 cable release, RC-6 wireless remote, or using smartphone over Wi-Fi)
|
Yes (Optional ML-L3)
|
| GPS |
Yes Optional through GP-E2
|
Yes Optional with GP-1
|
Body & Dimensions |
Canon EOS 70D |
Nikon D5100 |
| Enviromentally sealed | Yes | No |
| Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery Details |
Lithium-Ion LP-E6 rechargeable battery & charger
|
Lithium-Ion EN-EL14 rechargeable battery & charger
|
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 920 shots | N/A |
| Width | 139 mm | 128 mm |
| Height | 104 mm | 97 mm |
| Depth | 79 mm | 79 mm |
| Weight | 755 gram | 611 gram |