Nikon D5100 vs T3i

[delusions]

Comparison Here

		Significantly lower noise at high ISO	1,183 ISO	vs	793 ISO		The D5100 has a slight edge (0.6 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
		Much better image quality	80.0	vs	65.0		More than 20% better image quality
		Much better color depth	23.5 bits	vs	22.1 bits		Distinguishes more than 2.5x more colors
		Much more dynamic range	13.6 EV	vs	11.5 EV		2.2 f-stops more dynamic range
		Much less startup delay	500 ms	vs	1500 ms		3x less delay when turning on
		Continuous video focus	Yes	vs	No		Record movies without worrying about focus
		Has in-camera HDR	Yes	vs	No		Combines multiple exposures to capture high dynamic range
		Video autofocus	Contrast detection	vs	None		Automatically focuses shooting video
		Larger sensor	APS-C 23.6x15.6mm	vs	APS-C 22.3x14.9mm		More than 10% larger sensor
		Longer battery life	660 shots	vs	440 shots		50% more shots per battery charge
		Better boost ISO	25,600 ISO	vs	12,800 ISO		The D5100's boost ISO is 1 f-stop better
		More focus points	11	vs	9		Set focus accurately within the frame
		Smaller	127x96x78 mm	vs	133x99x79 mm		Around 10% smaller
		Slightly more lenses available	169 lenses	vs	162 lenses		Almost the same
		Shoots slightly faster	4 fps	vs	3.7 fps		Around 10% faster continuous shooting
		Slightly less shutter lag	273 ms	vs	283 ms		Almost the same
		Slightly thinner	3.1"	vs	3.1"		Almost the same

So what i was wondering , should i just stick with my original plan of buying the t3i? or Go with the nikon d5100, im more of a cannon fan but im going to best buy to test out both camera's but i really want your guys advice,

Nikon D5100 (onleftside)

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[belial]

If you like canon stay with canon. The camera doesn't matter as much as your skill and the lenses you get later

[jake337]

Are there really 162 lens available for that canon.

Either way, it doesn't matter. Next year you will be able to do the same comparison between the d5100 and the newest canon t4i, or whatever it will be called, and get have better results for the canon. Then it will flipflop back, then it will flipflop back, and so on. Digital is part of the constantly evolving world of technology.

What has significanlty changed in lens design since the beginning? Coatings? IS/VR? Push/pull mechanisms? Focus limiters? I'm sure there is much, much more but you get what I'm trying to convey.

Glass will live on forever....

[flatflip]

Slightly thinner 3.1" vs 3.1" Almost the same

I like it

[TheKenTurner]

T3i: Video
D5100: Photo

Choose your pick. I have the T3i, because I do a lot of video!

[KmH]

If you have the T3i, how do you know the D5100 doesn't do better video? Or are you indicating the T3i sucks at doing stills.

If the T3i sucks at doing stills compared to the D5100, how can the T3i be better at doing video, since video is just a bunch of still photos shown in rapid succession?

[greybeard]

I have yet to find anyone who owns either camera who is not happy with their choice.

[sm4him]

You say you're "more of a Canon fan." Why? I'm not asking to suggest you shouldn't be, I'm asking what draws you to Canon.
Do you already have lenses and other Canon equipment?
Have you HELD and tested Canons versus Nikons (or others)?
Or is it that you've had a Canon point-and-shoot? Or just some nebulous "Canon is nice" feeling?

IMO, if you've got Canon lenses and such, it would make sense to go with Canon. Likewise, if you've already tested them for yourself. Some people just like the way a Canon camera feels in their hands, some like a Nikon better.

Either choice isn't "wrong," and as greybeard says, I don't know anyone who has one of those and wishes that they'd chosen the other.
Instead of JUST comparing the D5100 and the T3i, go a little further.

Look at the lenses (cost, availability and quality), flashes and other equipment that you'll eventually want to acquire.
Because what you pick NOW will likely be what you own for quite some time, brand wise. You may end up wanting to upgrade from that D5100 or T3i, but at that point, you're going to have lenses and other equipment that will mean you'll want to stay with the same brand.

I owned several Canon powershots and absolutely loved them! For that reason, I really thought I'd "like" a Canon DSLR. But the things that swayed ME to Nikon were:
--My sister shoots Nikon, so buying Nikon meant being able to share lenses with her
--I LOVE the feel of the D7000, and the D700. I bought a D5100, but one day I'll want to move up and I liked the mid- to upper-level Nikons better (personally).

I'm personally glad I chose the D5100 over the Canons I was considering. But I suspect if I'd gone with the Canon, I might feel the same way.

Just try to make your decision with a longer-range goal in mind that just which camera you want right now, and if at all possible, go HOLD some cameras, test the controls, see which feels more intuitive to you.

[Jesse11]

T3i: Video
D5100: Photo

Choose your pick. I have the T3i, because I do a lot of video!