Nikon D5100 vs Nikon D700

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D5100 and Nikon D700. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

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 Nikon D700 has a "Nikon FX"-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)

Resolution

Nikon D5100 has a 16,2 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D700 has 12,1 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Nikon D5100 has a 33 % larger resolution than Nikon D700. 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 D700 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D5100. Nikon D700 has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 25600 while Nikon D5100 has 100 to 6400.

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Nikon D700 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 Nikon D700

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 Nikon D700 can shoot up to 8 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 Nikon D700 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.

Nikon D700 weighs 1074 gr (equal to 2.37 lb) which is 76% heavier than Nikon D5100 and its 611 gr (or 1.35 lb).

Nikon D5100 vs Nikon D700 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D5100 and Nikon D700, 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	Nikon D700
Name	Nikon D5100	Nikon D700
Manufacturer	Nikon	Nikon
Release Date and Price	Nikon D5100	Nikon D700
Release Year	2011	2008
Release Date	2011-04-05	2008-07-01
MSRP	359 USD	2999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type	Nikon D5100	Nikon D700
Camera Type	DSLR	DSLR
Sensor	Nikon D5100	Nikon D700
Sensor Size	APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm) Also known as "DX"	Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm) Also known as "FX"
Sensor Type	CMOS	CMOS
Resolution	4928 x 3264 pixels	4256 x 2832 pixels
Megapixels	16,2 MP	12,1 MP
Image Processor	EXPEED 2	EXPEED
Image	Nikon D5100	Nikon D700
ISO Range	100 - 6400	200 - 25600
White Balance Presets	12	12
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	Nikon D700
Autofocus Motor	No	Yes
Autofocus	Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Center Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView	Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous LiveView
Focus Points	11	51
Lens Mount	Nikon F See Compatible Lenses	Nikon F 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	FX (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
Screen & Viewfinder	Nikon D5100	Nikon D700
Articulated LCD	Fully articulated	Fixed
Screen size	3#	3”
Screen dots	921000	922000
Touch screen	No	No
Screen type	TFT LCD monitor	TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Live view	Yes	Yes
Viewfinder Type	Optical (pentamirror)	Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage	95%	95%
Viewfinder Magnification	0.78× (0.52× 35mm equiv.)	0.72×
Viewfinder Resolution	N/A	N/A
Photography features	Nikon D5100	Nikon D700
Frames per second	4 fps	8 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	N/A
External Flash	Yes	Yes
Self-Timer	Yes	Yes
Time-lapse	Yes	Yes
Metering modes	Multi Center Weighted Spot	Multi Center Weighted Spot Average
Exposure Compensation	+/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)	+/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features	Nikon D5100	Nikon D700
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	Nikon D700
Memory Card	SD/SDHC	Compact Flash
Connectivity	Nikon D5100	Nikon D700
HDMI Output	Yes	Yes
Microphone Port	Yes	No
Headphone Port	No	No
Wireless	Yes Eye-Fi Connected	No
Remote Control	Yes (Optional ML-L3)	Optional
GPS	Yes Optional with GP-1	Yes Optional through GP-1
Body & Dimensions	Nikon D5100	Nikon D700
Enviromentally sealed	No	Yes
Battery	Battery Pack	Battery Pack
Battery Details	Lithium-Ion EN-EL14 rechargeable battery & charger	Lithium-Ion EN-EL3e rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA)	N/A	1000 shots
Width	128 mm	147 mm
Height	97 mm	123 mm
Depth	79 mm	77 mm
Weight	611 gram	1074 gram