orrie smith Loc: Kansas

I would recommend the Nikon d7200 for a good all around camera body that will use your existing lenses. If money is no object, the Nikon d500 is an excellent camera body. If you have outgrown the DX format camera, or wish for larger prints, and feel you need to go full frame, the Nikon d750, d810, and the new d850 are all excellent choices.

RKL349 Loc: Connecticut

It may be wise to stay with Nikon, if you already have Nikon lenses. Then I would look at the kinds of shots you will be taking on your shooting trips to see if your current lenses meet those needs. It may be wiser to invest in the lenses you need to do the job rather than purchasing a new body and then hope mounting the lenses you have on the new body will make a huge improvement. Lastly, if the D5100 is just not allowing you to get to the next level due to it's inadequacies, set a budget, and shop accordingly. I am a big fan of factory refurbished to save money or get something a bit better and have never had any quality issues with any Nikon factory refurbished products I purchased. Good luck with your analysis and purchasing decision. Let us know what you decide.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Your decision to upgrade should be based on your shooting needs. Is there something your current camera is not doing for you? Is the something you are not happy with? Until your skill exceeds the capability of your current camera, you have no need to upgrade and will likely be disappointed, if you do.

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

You do not say what lenses you have. A lot of the decision you make depends on where the true needs are, and on your overall objectives. If you see a full-frame camera in your future, replacing DX lenses with FX lenses would be a good way to prepare. FX lenses on a DX body work very well as long as you are aware of the 1.5x crop factor. If you already have good lenses, and are not concerned with upgrading to an FX camera, then you should look at the D7200. It has more pixels, which will improve the resolution of your images.

You asked a simple question, but there are no simple answers! The only answer for now, based on the limited information you provided, is "It depends...". Decide on what you can afford to spend, whether it be camera or lenses, do some research, and purchase the best you can afford! And think forwardly toward what will best fulfill your photographic needs and objectives in the future.

BlackRipleyDog

How much do you want to spend?

1963mca

Are you missing shots, or unhappy with the results provided by your current camera? If so, decide what is missing, what do you NEED to improve your results, and narrow down the possible camera/lens choices based on what you NEED. If, on the other hand, it's a case of GAS, then all bets are off.

I'm an "experienced" (in terms of age) amateur. First SLR was a Pentax in 1960. Next was a Canon F1 in 1971. Then a Canon AE1 added as a backup to the F1 in 1976. Traded all my Canon gear (bodies and lenses) for an RB67 ProS in 1992 and at the same time got a Nikon F4 as my 35mm film camera. In the 35mm format, no camera gave me any more capability than the F1 and I did not NEED any other camera. Simplicity of operation improved, yes, but nothing that allowed me to magically make better photos if I didn't do my part (composition, etc). I can view photos taken with my 1970's Canon F1 along with my 1990's F4 and I couldn't tell which camera took which picture if I didn't know. I can identify some photos from the Pentax era, but I believe that's more a function of 1960's Pentax lens quality, not camera body issues. In 2008 things changed and I went digital with a Nikon D90. In 2014 I went to a D800. The only reason for changing from the D90 to the D800 was that I wanted to get closer to the true 35mm format. By the way I still have the F4 (film) and D90 along with the D800 and use all three. Too many cameras are coming along too quickly for me now. While there are "improvements", from the D800e, D810 and now the D850, there is nothing that indicates my personal pictures will be any better than what the three DSLR's I have now are capable of providing. D810 and D850, yes some improvements are there, but to replace my D800? I'm not good enough a photographer to make use of those changes. If I were a full time professional, I would consider the upgrade, but I'm not. At the same time, with the rapid upgrades, I would probably also wait for the D900, but then wait for the D950, but then wait for the D1000, but then wait for the D1xxx....... That should be only another year or two at the rate they are coming out . Now, do I have other cameras? Yes, I still have, and use, my RB-67 ProS, which is bulky to carry and difficult to use, but the pictures from the 6x7mm negatives are still amazing. I do have one other camera which is actually the most often used because it is the one most often with me as a walk-about due to it's low weight, size, ease of carry and ease of use. That is my Leica M with a 35mm lens and extra 75mm lens in my pocket. My DSLR's are just too big and bulky for full time carry. My DSLR's go out me with when I have specific photography events planned, such as car races, car shows, air shows, landscape, wildlife, places where I have specific photographic goals in mind. But for just going out of the house, with no preplanned photographic objectives in mind, it's light, simple and small with the Leica.

So once more: What are you MISSING to improve your photography, what do you NEED to improve your results, then narrow down the possible camera choices based on those requirements. If, on the other hand, it's a case of GAS, then all bets are off.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

I'm not familiar with the 5000 series. If you're interested in upgrading, I'd go with the D7100 or D7200. Couple that with a good all-round lens like the 28-300mm and a wide angle lens like new Tamron 10-24mm, and you're all set. BTW....keep your current camera and keep the wide angle on it. With the 28-300 on your new camera, you'll never change lenses. Believe me, that setup is all you really need. It will produce excellent photos for you. Don't even think about full frame. It's not really necessary and it will get you into lens prices, for one thing, that an average individual doesn't really need.

A 50mm f1.8D (runs $134) is always good to have. It's tremendous in low light. The alternative would be the 35mm f1.8D which is more expensive.

aellman Loc: Boston MA

Indeed! And make sure the seller has a "no questions asked" return policy.

jackpinoh Loc: Kettering, OH 45419

Sounds like you mainly shoot landscapes. Your camera is perfectly suited to landscape photography. If you spend around $3,000-$5,000 for a full frame camera and compatible lenses, you will gain about 10% in dynamic range and color depth, and I doubt you would be able to tell the difference. You will see the greatest improvement in your photos by buying a good travel tripod, if you don't already have one--and for a lot less money than a new camera.

Your camera is 16.1 Mpix. You can print a high quality image at 12x18 inches. You could upgrade to a D5300 and get 24 Mpix, but it would be a waste of money unless you plan to print larger pictures (up to 15x22 inches).

ORpilot Loc: Prineville, Or

What has changed in 4 years.... More MP for one. Slight improvements in sensors. Lenses have changed less. MP give you more cropping abilities in post processing. But if you shoot the photo correctly in the beginning cropping is a mute point. The sensor improvements are going to cost you $$$$. Unless you have a very critical eye you won't see much difference either. Like someone has stated, improve your abilities, take a few classes. Maybe buy a substantially better quality lens. Start using a tripod. Think before you shoot. work on getting the shot correctly framed, in focus, correct DOF, correct exposure, etc. The less post processing you need to do, the better the final image will be. Learn to be a better photographer rather than a post processing computer operator. It is the photographer that makes the photo, not the camera. Most Colleges Courses, make the students use a child's simple non adjustable camera for a semester, so they will learn the basics of composition and exposure. Then they move on to their chosen camera and lenses. Practice and practice. Even though I have been teaching Photography at the college lever for over 40 years, I still practice and challenge myself with shooting situations. I recently went to a horse race to practice slow shutter speed pan shooting. They were not Sports Illustrated quality but I learned a lot. You have the right attitude by wanting to learn more. Keep up the good work. Happy Shooting

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

jd, you might want to tell us what problems you are having getting the photos you want with the D5100. That help people here give you better advice. That advice might be suggestions on what to buy or it might be ideas on how to overcome your problems with what you already have.

Indi Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.

I have the D5100 & the D5300. Since I got the 5300 I haven't really used the 5100. The only reason I upgraded was for the megapixels. 16 (5100) vs 24 (5300.)
As Nature_Shooter suggests, maybe a lens upgrade might be better.
I have 4 or 5 lenses but the one that's always on my camera is the Sigma 18-300mm, although my favorite is the Sigma 17-70. It has lower light capabilities and is more compact. I like it for interiors like churches & evening shots.
The 18-300mm has, obviously, more range.
If I were buying again I'd buy the same lenses.
I think that for your upcoming trips Fall foliage & Ireland, i would take the 17-70 as a first choice, and, if I only wanted one lens.
A 1.4x to 2.0x extender would give you extra range but your images could suffer.

fchretdet

To me,
MeSmith's comments sound good.
I have a Nikon D80 and I just got a refurbished D7200 (arrived late last week).
I've also been trying to upgrade my lens selection. I'm also realizing how much the "Nut that holds the wheel" means to improving as a photographer.
I think the new (to me) camera and some wise lens choices will help make improvements, but I would strongly recommend the resources on UHH and others for some great tips and ideas to accomplish the OP's goals.
Good luck!

Edia Loc: Central New Jersey

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

This is good advice. Under good lighting conditions, just about any camera is going to produce nice results. Where the newer cameras earn their price is the corner case conditions such as low light, the need to blow a picture up to large prints, high speed sports photography, etc. But to just go after fall colors, I see no reason your D5100 can't knock your socks off. All you need to do is use good techniques and expose properly. Bracket if you want since you might find the colors look better slightly under exposed. I would shoot RAW to get the best results after processing. But even shooting JPG can generate very nice results.