Nikon D5100 vs Nikon D90 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Nikon · DSLR · 16.2 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Nikon D5100
43
WINNER
|
Nikon · DSLR · 12.3 MP · APS-C · Standard HD video
Nikon D90
37
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon D5100 and Nikon D90 are digital SLRs from successive generations: the D90 from 2008 and the D5100 from 2011. The D5100 is the lighter and smaller body. It weighs 560 g against 703 g for the D90, a 143 g difference, and measures 128 x 97 x 79 mm against 132 x 103 x 77 mm. That weight saving matters most for travel and walking days. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2011 | 2008 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
April 5, 2011 | August 27, 2008 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 128 x 97 x 79 mm | 132 x 103 x 77 mm |
| Camera weight | 560 g | 703 g |
| Optics | 43/100 | 35/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe D5100 is the stronger choice for heavy cropping, with 16.2 megapixels against 12.3 on the D90. That gives more room to crop a distant bird or a group shot down to one face. Its standard ISO range runs wider too, 100 to 6400 against 200 to 3200. Both use the Nikon F DX mount, so the same F-mount lenses fit either body. The D90 answers with a pentaprism viewfinder rather than the D5100's pentamirror, and a 4.5 fps burst rate against 4 fps. Neither body stabilises the sensor, so handheld work in dim light depends on a stabilised lens. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16.2 MP050 | 12.3 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4928 x 3264 | 4288 x 2848 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
15.6 x 23.6 | 15.8 x 23.6 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
4 fps045 | 4.5 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Nikon F DX | Nikon F DX |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Expeed 2 | Expeed |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 20030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
64003003280000 | 32003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
256003003280000 | 64003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
110300 | 110300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
✗ | ✗ |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | 57/100 | 34/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe D5100 is the clear pick for video on a modern screen. Its maximum video resolution is Full HD and its frame rate reaches 30 fps, against Standard HD and 24 fps on the D90. That gives sharper output and smoother motion, and the D5100 also offers built-in timelapse, which the D90 lacks. File handling differs too. The D5100 records MPEG-4, MOV and H.264, while the D90 records MOV only, giving more options when importing clips into editing software. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Full HD |  Standard HD |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
1920 x 1080 | 1280 x 720 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
30 fps | 24 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
 Yes | No |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MPEG-4, MOV, H.264 | MOV |
| Features | 41/100 | 41/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe D5100's flip-out screen is the standout control difference, letting you frame accurately with the camera held overhead at a parade or low to the ground for flower shots. The D90's fixed screen forces you to work at eye level or guess the composition in those positions. The rest of the controls and connectivity is a close match. Both offer a 3-inch LCD with live view plus built-in and external flash support. Neither includes GPS, wireless connectivity, Bluetooth, weather sealing or a touch screen, so geotagging and remote transfer need add-ons on either body. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
9210001150001500000 | 9200001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | No |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 51/100 | 37/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe D5100 supports SDXC cards alongside SD and SDHC, while the D90 stops at SDHC, so the D5100 accepts the larger-capacity cards useful for a full day of Raw shooting. Both have a single card slot and neither charges over USB. Battery ratings differ sharply under their stated test conditions: the D5100's EN-EL14 carries a 2200-shot rating against 850 shots for the D90's EN-EL3e. Both batteries are charged in an external charger rather than in the camera. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | EN-EL14 | EN-EL3e |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
2200 shots1505000 | 850 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
For most buyers the D5100 is the better choice. Its 16.2 megapixels give more cropping freedom, and its standard ISO range reaches 6400 rather than 3200 for dim indoor work. Full HD video plus a flip screen covers family clips and awkward-angle stills.
Choose the D90 if you prefer its pentaprism viewfinder, or for short action bursts where its 4.5 fps rate helps. Otherwise the D5100's resolution, ISO flexibility, Full HD video, articulating screen and SDXC support make it the stronger purchase.