d3100 or d5100
Dec 23, 2012 13:17:07 #
frmr_av8r
Loc: Helena, MT by way of Afghanistan
Steve,
I too had that quandry. I purchased a D3100 for my daughter for her birthday. However, before I deployed overseas, I purchased a D5100 for me. My primary reason for the 5100 for me was the stronger telephoto that came with my package versus my daughter's. She loves hers and I absolutely love mine. The D5100 has done all I could ever ask it to do and has produced some fantastic pictures...probably in spite of me.
I too had that quandry. I purchased a D3100 for my daughter for her birthday. However, before I deployed overseas, I purchased a D5100 for me. My primary reason for the 5100 for me was the stronger telephoto that came with my package versus my daughter's. She loves hers and I absolutely love mine. The D5100 has done all I could ever ask it to do and has produced some fantastic pictures...probably in spite of me.
Dec 23, 2012 15:55:10 #
Danilo wrote:
The biggest functional difference is the articulated viewing screen on the D5100, a feature I personally like alot. You can tilt it or swivel it so it can be seen from different angles. You can take a low-angle picture from ground-level without having to lay down. Or take a high overhead picture.
If that feature doesn't mean much to you, the D3100 is an excellent choice, or, as Don suggested, the new version is the D3200 is great, but at a higher price.
If that feature doesn't mean much to you, the D3100 is an excellent choice, or, as Don suggested, the new version is the D3200 is great, but at a higher price.
Although I too find the articulated screen of the D5100 a great benefit I'd say the greatest difference compared to the D3100 is a much better sensor. It has more Megapixels and much better low ISO performance.
I actually much prefer my (now handed over to my wife) D5100 than my newly aquired D7000. The D7000 has the same sensor as the D5100 but lacks the articulated screen, HDR, and the movie capability of the D5100. But more important I don't like the button approach to settings and prefer the D5100 LCD screen layout for doing them.
That is not to say there aren't a bunch of extra do-dads on the D7000 that justify its higher price. It is just to say that they matter less to me than the above.
The D3200/D5200 sensor is better than any of the above. If I were in the market I'd wait and get the D5200 when it is available in the U.S. Alas, it will cost more.
Dec 23, 2012 19:31:05 #
Dec 23, 2012 20:40:27 #
I would go for the 3200. Its only $50 more. The 5200 will be a lot more.
Dec 23, 2012 22:56:24 #
bikinkawboy
Loc: north central Missouri
At $549, the 5100 is a lot of camera for the money. The 3200 is only $50 more and has more pixels, but it does not have the articulating screen and in-camera HDR. The latter is something I really like. It won't give you the surreal type images the computer programs will, but instead it makes highly contrasting scenes look more like what your eye sees. It "only" takes 2 images while the Sony takes 3, but I actually think 2 is an advantage because it allows you to hand hold the camera rather than put it on a tripod like the manual says to do. Probably easier to get 2 images duplicated than 3 when hand held. I've also found the articulating screen way more handy than I ever thought I would, and not just for video either. I know the 3200 is a good camera, but I'll put it this way, I would not trade my 5100 even up for a new 3200. I'm sure the 5200 will be better than the 5100, but it will no doubt be a lot higher priced as well. The money you save buying the 5100 rather than the 5200 will help buy some accessory lenses. But that's just my opinion.
Dec 23, 2012 23:44:11 #
bikinkawboy wrote:
At $549, the 5100 is a lot of camera for the money... (show quote)
The D5100 can take 2 or 3 images in HDR. JPEG only.
You can set the HDR in the menu for 2 or 3 duplicate shots.
It is a pain if you shoot RAW. Have to set camera in JPEG first to use the HDR mode.
Dec 24, 2012 00:11:55 #
bikinkawboy wrote:
At $549, the 5100 is a lot of camera for the money... (show quote)
I myself think that screen would come in handy for some shots but I heard of two that have broken off. They had to send them back to nikon far repair. I think I like the 3200.
Dec 24, 2012 10:22:06 #
Canikon Guy wrote:
The D5100 can take 2 or 3 images in HDR. JPEG only.
You can set the HDR in the menu for 2 or 3 duplicate shots.
It is a pain if you shoot RAW. Have to set camera in JPEG first to use the HDR mode.
The D5100 can take 2 or 3 images in HDR. JPEG only.
You can set the HDR in the menu for 2 or 3 duplicate shots.
It is a pain if you shoot RAW. Have to set camera in JPEG first to use the HDR mode.
Sorry but the D5100 only uses two shots for its HDR images.
But you can set the EV range it uses to 2 or 3.
I don't find it as useful as the Active D-lighting which only requires one shot. But I never gave it a fair test under demanding situations. I have seen one or two posters who got reasonable results with it.
Dec 24, 2012 10:26:48 #
bikinkawboy wrote:
At $549, the 5100 is a lot of camera for the money... (show quote)
I agree on the articulated screen. I didn't even think about it when I bought the camera but came to love it for a variety of purposes I did not anticipate.
I did trade mine in on a D7000 (for the weather protection) and am sorry I did. In addition to the articulated screen I now appreciate the lighter weight of the D5100 and the simpler approach of doing the settings through a single LCD screen than requiring the use of a bunch of buttons scattered around on the D7000 and a little LCD screen I can't read without my reading glasses.
Well, I actually handed it down to my wife but she already won't give it back and for sure won't after tomorrow when she gets her 105 mm Macro lens.
Dec 24, 2012 11:39:39 #
granpa steve
Loc: north fort myers, fl
thanks to all for your thoughts, i think the 5100 is it. and will look to add some glass to it.
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND A GREAT NEW YEAR
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND A GREAT NEW YEAR
Dec 24, 2012 11:41:00 #
elandel
Loc: Milan, Italy
granpa steve wrote:
thanks to all for your thoughts, i think the 5100 is it. and will look to add some glass to it.
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND A GREAT NEW YEAR
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND A GREAT NEW YEAR
Thank you. Glass is the trick.
Dec 24, 2012 14:08:06 #
MtnMan wrote:
quote=Canikon Guy br br The D5100 can take 2 or... (show quote)
Can't find it in the manual about how many shots fired in HDR mode. Just 3 choices on EV settings.
I shot the D5100 in HDR mode, and I counted 3 shots fired in rapid succession set at 3EV.
At 2EV, I counted 2 shots.
At 1EV I counted 2 shots.
I agree, I use ACTIVE D-Lighting set at AUTO all the time with good results.
Dec 24, 2012 15:05:33 #
Dec 24, 2012 15:28:18 #
MtnMan wrote:
p. 76
I don't see (P.76) that on my CD manual downloaded on my Mac.
Your picture shows 2 different shots. But if you choose 3EV option, that would make 3 different shots. I counted 3 shots fired on my D5100 set at 3EV.
I will need to look in the printed book that came with the camera.
Merry Christmas / Seasons Greetings everyone! :-D
Dec 24, 2012 17:42:29 #
Canikon Guy wrote:
I don't see (P.76) that on my CD manual downloaded on my Mac.
Your picture shows 2 different shots. But if you choose 3EV option, that would make 3 different shots. I counted 3 shots fired on my D5100 set at 3EV.
I will need to look in the printed book that came with the camera.
Merry Christmas / Seasons Greetings everyone! :-D
MtnMan wrote:
p. 76
I don't see (P.76) that on my CD manual downloaded on my Mac.
Your picture shows 2 different shots. But if you choose 3EV option, that would make 3 different shots. I counted 3 shots fired on my D5100 set at 3EV.
I will need to look in the printed book that came with the camera.
Merry Christmas / Seasons Greetings everyone! :-D
I don't think it is in the little printed book that comes with the D5100. It is in the pdf version. I thought the pdf for the Mac was the same but maybe not.
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