Nikon D5100 vs Canon EOS 60D

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D5100 and Canon EOS 60D. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Nikon D5100

Canon EOS 60D

Manufacturing

Nikon D5100 is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS 60D is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.

Nikon D5100 were released 2011 and Canon EOS 60D was released 2010. That is a 1 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera	Released
Nikon D5100	2011
Canon EOS 60D	2010

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 60D 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.

Camera	Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Nikon D5100	75 mm Nikon DX sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Canon EOS 60D	80 mm Canon APS-C sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6

** 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 60D has 18 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera	Megapixels
Nikon D5100	16,2 MP 16084992 pixels 4928 x 3264
Canon EOS 60D	18 MP 17915904 pixels 5184 x 3456

Canon EOS 60D has a 11 % 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 60D has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D5100. Canon EOS 60D has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 12800 while Nikon D5100 has 100 to 6400.

Camera	ISO Range
Nikon D5100	100-6400
Canon EOS 60D	100-12800

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Canon EOS 60D 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 60D

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 60D can shoot up to 5,3 pictures per seconds.

Camera	FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D5100	4
Canon EOS 60D	5,3

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Nikon D5100 and Canon EOS 60D 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 60D 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
Nikon D5100	611 gr 1.35 lb
Canon EOS 60D	755 gr 1.66 lb