Nikon D5100 vs Nikon D90

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Main
Model
Price
Advantages

launch
Announced
Body type
Camera subcategory
Sensor
Effective pixels
Max resolution
Sensor size
Sensor type
Processor
Image ratio w:h
Other resolutions
Sensor photo detectors
Image
ISO
Boosted ISO (maximum)
White balance presets
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Uncompressed format
JPEG quality levels
Photography features
Minimum shutter speed
Maximum shutter speed
Aperture priority
Shutter priority
Manual exposure mode
Subject / scene modes
Built-in flash
Flash range
External flash
Flash modes
Continuous drive
Self-timer
Metering modes
Exposure compensation
AE Bracketing
WB Bracketing
Screen / viewfinder
Articulated LCD
Screen size
Screen dots
Touch screen
Screen type
Live view
Viewfinder type
Viewfinder coverage
Viewfinder magnification
Videography features
Resolutions
File Format
Microphone
Optics & Focus
Autofocus
Digital zoom
Manual focus
Number of focus points
Lens mount
Focal length multiplier
Physical
Weight (inc. batteries)
Dimensions
Environmentally sealed
Battery
Battery details
Battery Life (CIPA)
Storage
Storage types
Storage included
Connectivity
USB
HDMI
Wireless
Remote control
Other features
Orientation sensor
Timelapse recording
GPS
GPS notes
Samples
Videos

7.66/10

Main
Model
Nikon D5100
Price
Advantages
SENSOR Effective pixels: 16 megapixels
SENSOR Max resolution: 4928 x 3264
IMAGE ISO: Auto, 100- 6400 (plus 12800, 25600 with boost)
IMAGE Boosted ISO (maximum): 25600
SCREEN / VIEWFINDER Articulated LCD: Fully articulated
SCREEN / VIEWFINDER Screen dots: 921,000
VIDEOGRAPHY FEATURES Resolutions: 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps)
PHYSICAL Weight (inc. batteries): 560 g (1.23 lb / 19.75 oz)
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Main
Model
Nikon D90
Price
Advantages
SENSOR Sensor size: APS-C (23.6 x 15.8 mm)
PHOTOGRAPHY FEATURES Flash range: 17.00 m (at ISO 100)
PHOTOGRAPHY FEATURES Continuous drive: 4.5 fps
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launch
Announced
Apr 5, 2011
Body type
Camera subcategory
Compact SLR
Sensor
Effective pixels
16 megapixels
Max resolution
4928 x 3264
Sensor size
APS-C (23.6 x 15.7 mm)
Sensor type
CMOS
Processor
Expeed 2
Image ratio w:h
3:2
Other resolutions
3696 x 2448, 2464 x 1632
Sensor photo detectors
—
Image
ISO
Auto, 100- 6400 (plus 12800, 25600 with boost)
Boosted ISO (maximum)
25600
White balance presets
12
Custom white balance
Yes (5)
Image stabilization
No
Uncompressed format
RAW
JPEG quality levels
Fine, Normal, Basic
Photography features
Minimum shutter speed
30 sec
Maximum shutter speed
1/4000 sec
Aperture priority
Yes
Shutter priority
Yes
Manual exposure mode
Yes
Subject / scene modes
Yes
Built-in flash
Yes (Pop-up)
Flash range
12.00 m (at ISO 100)
External flash
Yes (Hot-shoe)
Flash modes
Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain
Continuous drive
4.0 fps
Self-timer
Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec)
Metering modes
- Multi
- Center-weighted
- Spot
Exposure compensation
±5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
AE Bracketing
±2 (3 frames at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
WB Bracketing
Yes (3 frames in either blue/amber or magenta/green axis)
Screen / viewfinder
Articulated LCD
Fully articulated
Screen size
3″
Screen dots
921,000
Touch screen
No
Screen type
TFT LCD monitor
Live view
Yes (With contrast-detect AF, face detection and subject tracking)
Viewfinder type
Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage
95%
Viewfinder magnification
0.78×
Videography features
Resolutions
1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps)
File Format
MPEG-4
Microphone
Mono
Optics & Focus
Autofocus
- Contrast Detect (sensor)
- Phase Detect
- Multi-area
- Center
- Selective single-point
- Tracking
- Single
- Continuous
- Face Detection
- Live View
Digital zoom
No
Manual focus
Yes
Number of focus points
11
Lens mount
Nikon F
Focal length multiplier
1.5×
Physical
Weight (inc. batteries)
560 g (1.23 lb / 19.75 oz)
Dimensions
128 x 97 x 79 mm (5.04 x 3.82 x 3.11″)
Environmentally sealed
No
Battery
Battery Pack
Battery details
Lithium-Ion EN-EL14 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA)
—
Storage
Storage types
SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage included
—
Connectivity
USB
USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
HDMI
Yes (Mini Type C)
Wireless
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote control
Yes (Optional ML-L3)
Other features
Orientation sensor
Yes
Timelapse recording
Yes
GPS
Optional
GPS notes
GP-1
Watch sample photos
Watch video reviews

launch
Announced
Aug 27, 2008
Body type
Camera subcategory
Mid-size SLR
Sensor
Effective pixels
12 megapixels
Max resolution
4288 x 2848
Sensor size
APS-C (23.6 x 15.8 mm)
Sensor type
CMOS
Processor
—
Image ratio w:h
3:2
Other resolutions
3216 x 2136, 2144 x 1424
Sensor photo detectors
13 megapixels
Image
ISO
Auto, 200 - 3200 (plus 6400 with boost)
Boosted ISO (maximum)
6400
White balance presets
12
Custom white balance
Yes (5)
Image stabilization
No
Uncompressed format
RAW
JPEG quality levels
Fine, Normal, Basic
Photography features
Minimum shutter speed
30 sec
Maximum shutter speed
1/4000 sec
Aperture priority
Yes
Shutter priority
Yes
Manual exposure mode
Yes
Subject / scene modes
Yes
Built-in flash
Yes (pop-up)
Flash range
17.00 m (at ISO 100)
External flash
Yes (Hot-shoe, Wireless)
Flash modes
Auto, On, Off, Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Continuous drive
4.5 fps
Self-timer
Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec)
Metering modes
- Multi
- Center-weighted
- Spot
Exposure compensation
±5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
AE Bracketing
(2, 3 frames at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV steps)
WB Bracketing
Yes (2 or 3 frames in either blue/amber or magenta/green axis)
Screen / viewfinder
Articulated LCD
Fixed
Screen size
3″
Screen dots
920,000
Touch screen
No
Screen type
Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Live view
Yes
Viewfinder type
Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage
96%
Viewfinder magnification
0.96×
Videography features
Resolutions
1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps), 320 x 216 (24 fps)
File Format
Motion JPEG
Microphone
Mono
Optics & Focus
Autofocus
- Contrast Detect (sensor)
- Phase Detect
- Multi-area
- Selective single-point
- Single
- Continuous
- Face Detection
- Live View
Digital zoom
No
Manual focus
Yes
Number of focus points
11
Lens mount
Nikon F
Focal length multiplier
1.5×
Physical
Weight (inc. batteries)
703 g (1.55 lb / 24.80 oz)
Dimensions
132 x 103 x 77 mm (5.2 x 4.06 x 3.03″)
Environmentally sealed
No
Battery
Battery Pack
Battery details
Lithium-Ion EN-EL3e rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA)
850
Storage
Storage types
SD/SDHC
Storage included
None
Connectivity
USB
USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
HDMI
Yes (Mini Type C)
Wireless
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote control
Yes (Optional ML-L3 or MC-DC2)
Other features
Orientation sensor
Yes
Timelapse recording
Yes (by USB cable and PC)
GPS
Optional
GPS notes
GP-1
Watch sample photos
Watch video reviews

Summary

The D5100 maximum resolution of 4928 x 3264 pixels (16 megapixels) is better in comparison with the D90 highest resolution of 4288 x 2848 pixels (12 megapixels). The D90 has larger sensor compared to the D5100: APS-C (23.6 x 15.8 mm) versus APS-C (23.6 x 15.7 mm). This is the most significant specification of this model because big sensor allows the camera owner to produce pictures of the higher quality. The D5100 offers a wider ISO range of 100-6400 in compare with 200-3200 ISO range of the D90. This ISO range let the camera owner to produce better pictures in low light situations.

The D5100 is equipped with swiveling display that will let the camera owner to take images from any interesting angle. The D5100 screen is better as it offers more screen dots 921,000 in compare to 920,000 dots of the D90 display. The higher dot count screen is better for reviewing photos on your camera.

The D5100 weighs 560g that is 143g lighter in comparison with the weight of the Nikon D90.

The D5100 has 8 advantages and the D90 only 3 so the D5100 will become the best buy. Get the list of the best offers on Amazon.