Canon EOS 80D vs Nikon D5100 Compare

Here you can find digital cameras comparison. Pick up with the best rating.

Cameras which are being compared are Amateur DSLR cameras.

EOS 80D vs D5100 - Side by side

Learn more about compared cameras specifications below.

Canon EOS 80D vs Nikon D5100 Specs

EOS 80D

  • Introduced in February 2016
  • Amateur DSLR
  • Sensor: APS-C
  • 24 megapixel
  • 7 frames/second
  • 100 – 16000 ISO
  • 1920 x 1080 Video
  • Viewfinder: Optical (Penta prism)
  • 76.00mm (3.0″) Monitor, articulated
  • Lens mount EF, EF-S
  • WiFi built-in
  • 139.0 x 105.2 x 78.5mm³ (5.5″ x 4.1″ x 3.1″)
  • 730g (23.5 oz.)

All specs: Main page for EOS 80D

D5100

  • Introduced in April 2011
  • Amateur DSLR
  • Sensor: APS-C (DX)
  • 16 megapixel
  • 4 frames/second
  • 100 – 6400 ISO
  • 1920 x 1080 Video
  • Viewfinder: Optical (Penta mirror)
  • 76.00mm (3.0″) Monitor, articulated
  • Lens mount F
  • No WiFi
  • 128 x 97 x 79mm³ (5.0″ x 3.8″ x 3.1″)
  • 560g (18.1 oz.)

All specs: Main page for D5100

EOS 80D vs D5100 Sensors

On the pictures below the sensor areas of cameras are highlighted.

This infographic highlights the sensor areas of both models compared to other common sensor formats:

Info graphic: EOS 80D an D5100 sensor comparison

EOS 80D vs D5100: Viewfinder

EOS 80D has an optical viewfinder with penta prism. It has magnification of 0.59x and covers 100% of view field.

The D5100 has an optical viewfinder with a penta mirror. It’s magnification is 0.52x covering 95% of view field.

Viewfinder magnifications of compared cameras. The black area shows a magnification of 1x, relative to native size; in red is a magnification of 0.85x.

EOS 80D (0.59x)

D5100 (0.52x)

Better choice: Canon EOS 80D

Canon EOS 80D VS Nikon D5100 Other Specs Comparison

Why is Canon EOS 80D a better choice

EOS 80D

D5100

Wider resolution (5, megapixel)

24.20 16.20
Higher speed (4, frames/second)

7 4
Auto Focus points (4)

45 11
Better sensibility (4)

100 – 16000 ISO 100 – 6400 ISO
Better viewfinder (4)

Penta prism Penta mirror
Larger lens selection (3)

220 200
Better monitor (2, Megapixel)

1.04 0.92
Touch screen (2)

Longer battery life (3, photos)

960 570
WiFi (2)

Environmental sealing (2)

Conclusion: Advantages of the EOS 80D are the higher resolution, that the camera is faster and the faster and more accurate auto focus. Additional pros for the Canon are the larger sensitivity, the better viewfinder and the larger selection of lenses. We also like that the display has a higher resolution, the rather comfortable touch screen and that the battery has more stamina. Another advantage over the D5100: the built-in wifi that permits remote shooting and image transfer without the need for a cable connection.

The EOS 80D scores 33 points.

Otherwise why to choose Nikon D5100

EOS 80D

D5100

Weighs less (2)

730g
(23.5 oz.)
560g
(18.1 oz.)
More portable (2)

1148cm³
(72 cu.in.)
981cm³
(62 cu.in.)

Conclusion: Advantages of the D5100 are the lower weight than the EOS 80D and the more compact size.

Yields 4 points for the D5100.

Common Specs for both cameras compared

EOS 80D

D5100

Sensor format

APS-C APS-C
Sensor cleaning

Built-in flash

Articulated screen

Video resolution

1920 x 1080 1920 x 1080
External microphone

Canon EOS 80D VS Nikon D5100 Dimensions

Look at front view of the EOS 80D and D5100

Top view of cameras

Total scores

Here’s the total score according to comparison above:

Canon EOS 80D

Nikon D5100

33
4

We recommend Canon EOS 80D as better choice.