Nikon D5100 vs Canon EOS 50D

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D5100 and Canon EOS 50D. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Nikon D5100 is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS 50D is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D5100 has a "Nikon DX"-sensor while Canon EOS 50D has a "Canon APS-C"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

** 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 (Nikon)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Nikon D5100 has a 16,2 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 50D has 15,1 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Nikon D5100 has a 7 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 50D. 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 50D has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D5100. Canon EOS 50D has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 12800 while Nikon D5100 has 100 to 6400.

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Canon EOS 50D 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 Nikon D5100
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 50D

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D5100 can shoot up to 4 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 50D can shoot up to 6,3 pictures per seconds.

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

When comparing these two cameras there is only one of them that can shoot movies and that is Nikon D5100. Unfortunately Canon EOS 50D does not support recording movies and movie clips.

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 50D weighs 822 gr (equal to 1.81 lb) which is 35% heavier than Nikon D5100 and its 611 gr (or 1.35 lb).

Nikon D5100 vs Canon EOS 50D Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D5100 and Canon EOS 50D, 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	Nikon D5100	Canon EOS 50D
Name	Nikon D5100	Canon EOS 50D
Manufacturer	Nikon	Canon
Release Date and Price	Nikon D5100	Canon EOS 50D
Release Year	2011	2008
Release Date	2011-04-05	2008-08-26
MSRP	359 USD	1399 USD
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Camera Type	Nikon D5100	Canon EOS 50D
Camera Type	DSLR	DSLR
Sensor	Nikon D5100	Canon EOS 50D
Sensor Size	APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm) Also known as "DX"	APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm)
Sensor Type	CMOS	CMOS
Resolution	4928 x 3264 pixels	4752 x 3168 pixels
Megapixels	16,2 MP	15,1 MP
Image Processor	EXPEED 2	DIGIC 4
Image	Nikon D5100	Canon EOS 50D
ISO Range	100 - 6400	100 - 12800
White Balance Presets	12	6
Custom White Balance	Yes	Yes
Image Stabilization	No	No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating	0 stops	0 stops
Uncompressed format	RAW	RAW
Optics & Focus	Nikon D5100	Canon EOS 50D
Autofocus Motor	No	Yes
Autofocus	Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Center Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView	Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView
Focus Points	11	9
Lens Mount	Nikon F See Compatible Lenses	Canon EF Canon EF-S See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier	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	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
Screen & Viewfinder	Nikon D5100	Canon EOS 50D
Articulated LCD	Fully articulated	Fixed
Screen size	3#	3”
Screen dots	921000	920000
Touch screen	No	No
Screen type	TFT LCD monitor	TFT liquid-crystal color LCD
Live view	Yes	Yes
Viewfinder Type	Optical (pentamirror)	Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage	95%	95%
Viewfinder Magnification	0.78× (0.52× 35mm equiv.)	0.95× (0.59× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution	N/A	N/A
Photography features	Nikon D5100	Canon EOS 50D
Frames per second	4 fps	6,3 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed	30 seconds	30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed	1/4000 seconds	1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash	Yes	Yes
Built-in Flash Range	12 meters	13 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	+/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)	+/- 2 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features	Nikon D5100	Canon EOS 50D
Video recording	Yes	No
Video format	MPEG4	N/A
Video resolution	1280 x 720 1920 x 1080	N/A
Built-in Microphone	Yes	No
Built-in Speakers	Yes	No
Storage	Nikon D5100	Canon EOS 50D
Memory Card	SD/SDHC	Compact Flash
Connectivity	Nikon D5100	Canon EOS 50D
HDMI Output	Yes	Yes
Microphone Port	Yes	No
Headphone Port	No	No
Wireless	Yes Eye-Fi Connected	No
Remote Control	Yes (Optional ML-L3)	Yes (N3 connector)
GPS	Yes Optional with GP-1	No
Body & Dimensions	Nikon D5100	Canon EOS 50D
Enviromentally sealed	No	Yes
Battery	Battery Pack	Battery Pack
Battery Details	Lithium-Ion EN-EL14 rechargeable battery & charger	Lithium-Ion BP-511A rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA)	N/A	800 shots
Width	128 mm	146 mm
Height	97 mm	108 mm
Depth	79 mm	74 mm
Weight	611 gram	822 gram