Which DSLR camera to pick? Nikon D3100 vs D5100?

[PrintMule]

Nikon D3100 body is 241EUR
Nikon D5100 body is 330 EUR

D5100 has better resolution, swivel LCD - which is good for making strange angle shots and video. It can film with a little bit higher fps. It has microphone jack. It supposedly has better HIGH ISO performance (although I rarely use ISO higher than 400). It has a newer sensor, but it's impossible to find side by side comparison photos on the net.
D3100 is almost 100EUR cheaper, which can buy me some extra lens or flash.

Anyone of you has D3100 and can swear by it? Or maybe 5100?

It's intended for my gf's birthday, and I don't want to spoil a surprise by asking her opinion. Canon and other brand's are out of the question, as we have some nikon lenses with our old d40 already.

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[Kenshin]

I think the answer is how much can you afford. If you can afford the D5100, of course you should get it.

[Magazine]

Can't you take her out on the day with her and pick one out, then go for dinner or something imo.

[PrintMule]

I think the answer is how much can you afford. If you can afford the D5100, of course you should get it.

When I pick stuff for myself I usually tend to go cheaper. Like 7950 over 7990. Or i5 over i7. You can get some extra important stuff for the difference in money for those components. But my knowledge in camera department is worse than PC stuff. (Kinda funny if you consider that my main job is photography). I can afford D5100, but I also can afford D3100 with some extra stuff attached to it.

Can't you take her out on the day with her and pick one out, then go for dinner or something imo.

When I'm out of time and desperate enough I ll probably do that But I'm afraid she might be opposed to the idea of a new camera, cause our D40 is still good. But it's lacking in some departments, and sometimes we need to film a video, and our smartphones do that poorly.

[cedivad]

Since that you don't have a lot of previous experience, the 5100 would be an overkill. The 3100 is already a great camera, it already has everything you need.
I own a 3000, that can't even make a video, and i don't miss it.

[cedivad]

Since that you don't have a lot of previous experience, the 5100 would be an overkill. The 3100 is already a great camera, it already has everything you need.
I own a 3000, that can't even make a video, and i don't miss it.

You've tried both cameras or is that only your opinion?

I've used the 3000 that i own and both the 3100 and the 5100 from friends, yes.
Since that he is getting started and he is wondering about getting the cheaper model, he should get the cheaper model. He won't notice the difference.

http://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/side-by-side?products=nikon_d3100&products=nikon_d5100

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond3100
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond5100

[PrintMule]

I've decided to browse local eBay for a hot deal, and will go from there. If I get overkill price for D5100 I'll take it, if not - D3100 then.

Since that you don't have a lot of previous experience, the 5100 would be an overkill. The 3100 is already a great camera, it already has everything you need.
I own a 3000, that can't even make a video, and i don't miss it.

You've tried both cameras or is that only your opinion?

I've used the 3000 that i own and both the 3100 and the 5100 from friends, yes.
Since that he is getting started and he is wondering about getting the cheaper model, he should get the cheaper model. He won't notice the difference.

http://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/side-by-side?products=nikon_d3100&products=nikon_d5100

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond3100
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond5100

If that's not too much hassle, could you post one or two of your favorite pics made with your D3000?

[cedivad]

If you don't need to make videos, it's a good one. I got a gopro for that.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/26272_1329699118259_1437492_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/s720x720/530064_3818508696943_508852681_n.jpg

Regardless, you can find many better examples online.

[PrintMule]

If you don't need to make videos, it's a good one. I got a gopro for that.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/26272_1329699118259_1437492_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/s720x720/530064_3818508696943_508852681_n.jpg

Regardless, you can find many better examples online.

thanks!

[Foxpup]

I've got a D3100, and it really is the best camera for the price. The D5100 is better, but I doubt you'd notice much of a difference below ISO 1600, and it's not really worth the extra cost unless you really need such high sensitivity, IMO.

[MelodyRowell]

Nikon D3100 body is 241EUR
Nikon D5100 body is 330 EUR

D5100 has better resolution, swivel LCD - which is good for making strange angle shots and video. It can film with a little bit higher fps. It has microphone jack. It supposedly has better HIGH ISO performance (although I rarely use ISO higher than 400). It has a newer sensor, but it's impossible to find side by side comparison photos on the net.
D3100 is almost 100EUR cheaper, which can buy me some extra lens or flash.

Anyone of you has D3100 and can swear by it? Or maybe 5100?

It's intended for my gf's birthday, and I don't want to spoil a surprise by asking her opinion. Canon and other brand's are out of the question, as we have some nikon lenses with our old d40 already.

Get a smartphone that have really good mega pixel instead?

[PrintMule]

My friend has the D3100 and he is very happy with it. He makes awesome pics.

I've got a D3100, and it really is the best camera for the price. The D5100 is better, but I doubt you'd notice much of a difference below ISO 1600, and it's not really worth the extra cost unless you really need such high sensitivity, IMO.

All in favor of 3100 I see. Thanks for your input, everyone.

Nikon D3100 body is 241EUR
Nikon D5100 body is 330 EUR

D5100 has better resolution, swivel LCD - which is good for making strange angle shots and video. It can film with a little bit higher fps. It has microphone jack. It supposedly has better HIGH ISO performance (although I rarely use ISO higher than 400). It has a newer sensor, but it's impossible to find side by side comparison photos on the net.
D3100 is almost 100EUR cheaper, which can buy me some extra lens or flash.

Anyone of you has D3100 and can swear by it? Or maybe 5100?

It's intended for my gf's birthday, and I don't want to spoil a surprise by asking her opinion. Canon and other brand's are out of the question, as we have some nikon lenses with our old d40 already.

Get a smartphone that have really good mega pixel instead?

No, just no. That's two different worlds.