Nikon D850 vs Nikon D5100

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D850 and Nikon D5100. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Nikon D850 were released 2017 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
Nikon D850 2017
Nikon D5100 2011

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D850 has a "Nikon FX"-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 **
Nikon D850 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 (Nikon)

Resolution

Nikon D850 has a 46 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
Nikon D850 46 MP
45441024 pixels
8256 x 5504
Nikon D5100 16,2 MP
16084992 pixels
4928 x 3264

Nikon D850 has a 183 % 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

Nikon D850 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D5100. Nikon D850 has an ISO range that stretches from 64 to 25600 while Nikon D5100 has 100 to 6400.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D850 64-25600
Nikon D5100 100-6400

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Nikon D850 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 D850
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. Nikon D850 can shoot up to 9 pictures per seconds and Nikon D5100 can shoot up to 4 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D850 9
Nikon D5100 4

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Nikon D850 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.

Nikon D850 weighs 1005 gr (equal to 2.22 lb) which is 64% heavier than Nikon D5100 and its 611 gr (or 1.35 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D850 1005 gr
2.22 lb
Nikon D5100 611 gr
1.35 lb

Nikon D850 vs Nikon D5100 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D850 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
Nikon D850
Nikon D5100
Name Nikon D850 Nikon D5100
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D850
Nikon D5100
Release Year 2017 2011
Release Date 2017-07-25 2011-04-05
MSRP 3299 USD 359 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D850
Nikon D5100
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D850
Nikon D5100
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Resolution 8256 x 5504 pixels 4928 x 3264 pixels
Megapixels 46 MP 16,2 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 5 EXPEED 2
Image
Nikon D850
Nikon D5100
ISO Range 64 - 25600 100 - 6400
White Balance Presets 14 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW + TIFF RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon D850
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 151 11
Lens Mount Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier 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
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
Nikon D850
Nikon D5100
Articulated LCD Tilting Fully articulated
Screen size 3.2” 3#
Screen dots 2359000 921000
Touch screen Yes No
Screen type TFT LCD TFT LCD monitor
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.75× 0.78× (0.52× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution 0 N/A
Photography features
Nikon D850
Nikon D5100
Frames per second 9 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
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D850
Nikon D5100
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
MPEG4
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Nikon D850
Nikon D5100
Memory Card SD/SDHC
XQD
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Nikon D850
Nikon D5100
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port Yes No
Wireless Yes
Built-In ( 802.11b/g + NFC + Bluetooth 4.1 LE)
Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control Yes (wired, wireless, smartphone) Yes (Optional ML-L3)
GPS No Yes
Optional with GP-1
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D850
Nikon D5100
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details EN-EL15a lithium-ion battery & charger
Lithium-Ion EN-EL14 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 1840 shots N/A
Width 146 mm 128 mm
Height 124 mm 97 mm
Depth 79 mm 79 mm
Weight 1005 gram 611 gram