Help my Decision Making! D3100 or D5100

Al1944

Al1944

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Well after changing my mind a dozen times over the last couple of weeks I've decided to seek help!

Out of the following, which would you go for? Please don't suggest alternatives as my budget is not flexible! :)

1. Nikon D3100 with 18-55 and 55-300 VR lenses.

2. Nikon D5100 with 18-105 VR lens.

Thanks,
Al
 
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Option 1, you can take photos that you can't take with option 2, just because you've got a longish lens included.
 
I've you plan on shooting low light i would go with the d5100.
 
I went for a D5100, I'm quite pleased with it although I find the low light a bit wanting when I see some of the FF shots, can't imagine how a D3100 would make me feel :P
 
D3100 has a few more controls over the D5100, the D5100 has a better sensor but has reduced controls so more diving into the menu. I looked at the D5100 and it really is a sideways step, I think the improvements are more towards making it an all rounder, better video etc. than pure photographic improvements.

So the cameras will be about the same, so save the money and go for the additional lens.

You won't regret it!
 
Go for the d5100 with 18-105 has the same sensor as the d7000 better in low light than the d3100 also 3.0 inch screen has better resolution 920k:)
 
Dale_d3100 said:
D3100 has a few more controls over the D5100, the D5100 has a better sensor but has reduced controls so more diving into the menu. I looked at the D5100 and it really is a sideways step, I think the improvements are more towards making it an all rounder, better video etc. than pure photographic improvements.

So the cameras will be about the same, so save the money and go for the additional lens.

You won't regret it!
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d3100 few more controls? It hasn't.

Al1944 they are pretty much the same camera but with a better sensor in the d5100. The same found in the d7000. Which in my opinion is worth the extra wedge.

The d3100 does not have exposure bracketing if you think you'll be shooting HDR its a pain without it.
 
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The switch under the dial on the D3100 is used to switch between single, continuous,timed or quiet shooting.

I thought the D5100 was missing the fn button, but on checking it doesn't.

So there isn't a huge difference, but I like the switch control
 
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Thanks all.

Brian - I also like the flip out screen but I think I could manage without it with a DSLR. I'm still undecided however!

The eBay deal looks good - did you buy from that seller?

Al
 
Al1944 said:
Thanks all.

Brian - I also like the flip out screen but I think I could manage without it with a DSLR. I'm still undecided however!

The eBay deal looks good - did you buy from that seller?

Al
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The ebay deal is not a uk model so bare in mind you will not receive a nikon 2yr manufactures warranty just the shop warranty. They are based in Hong Kong so if the camera develops a fault you may well have to wait for it to be repaired in Hong kong.
 
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I 've just remembered that I've got a £40 Jessops voucher to get rid of, which brings the net cost to me of a D3100 with 18-55mmm lens to £224.99! Add approx £120 (55-200) or £220 (55-300) and a decent kit at reasonable price I think.
 
Does it have to be a nikon? I would rather a pentax k-30 which is better than the both of them and only £350 with the cashback offer. If you went body only its £300 then but a tamron 17-50 which will knock spots of the nikons with there kit lenses.
 
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Funnily enough I've just read a review of the Pentax after seeing your post in another thread. Very interesting I must admit.

Al
 
I love the images I get out of my d3100 but I will be upgrading next year for these reasons

1. I want to be able to change setting without having to go into menus
2. No auto bracketing
2. No mirror lock up
4. Better resolution screen

Not sure if you get any of things with the d5100 but they're just my thoughts.

I find the 18-55mm kit lens reasonable and have been using it a lot lately for landscape stuff, if you look at my flickr you can see plenty of examples all clearly marked as 18-55mm kit lens.
 
Gary - thanks very much indewed. My mind is now almnost made up! Some beautiful photos and whilst I'm sure I wouldn't be able to take pics like that for a while, it would be something to aspire to!

Regarding mirror lock up. If you shoot using live view the mirror will stay up - as you no doubt know, so apologies in advance.

Thanks again,
Al
 
rjbell said:
The ebay deal is not a uk model so bare in mind you will not receive a nikon 2yr manufactures warranty just the shop warranty. They are based in Hong Kong so if the camera develops a fault you may well have to wait for it to be repaired in Hong kong.
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My opinion on the grey import thing is that I will be getting brand new at 2nd hand prices - The shop warranty is way better than non at all! - and I will know where it's been.

I'm decided on the D5100 with the 2 lenses deal - will purchase after Xmas is out of the way, I'm still on the look in the meantime, in case a better deal comes up somewhere.
 
Brian_of_Bozeat said:
My opinion on the grey import thing is that I will be getting brand new at 2nd hand prices - The shop warranty is way better than non at all! - and I will know where it's been.

I'm decided on the D5100 with the 2 lenses deal - will purchase after Xmas is out of the way, I'm still on the look in the meantime, in case a better deal comes up somewhere.
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If I were you I would buy the kit from HDEW - yes, grey import, but from a well known UK dealer. The kit is also cheaper and you get a three year warranty. If you search for HDEW on the forum you will find nothing but good comments.

http://www.hdewcameras.co.uk/nikon-d5100--18-55mm--55-300mm-double-kit-918-p.asp

Al
 
Seems very much like the issue I had - 3100 vs 5100. Plus I felt that the 3100 had been replaced by the 3100 and felt the 5100 was more up to date - the 5200 was just a rumour then :D

The 5100's sensor won it for me. Handled both in the shop and it just felt right too.

The menu system was confusing at first but after much playing around it became logical. I have set P mode using Ken Rockwell's settings and it produces some cracking shots. I will probably change it around again later when I have a bit more confidence.

With all the other settings there is probably something that suits without having to go into the menus.
 
Both are fantastic cameras. D5100 is a better camera in terms of specification, but D3100 is still fantastic and will produce great shots (I own the D3100, kit and 55-300mm lens). I think the question is, will you need the extra reach that the D3100 package brings i.e. the 105mm - 300mm? If so, D3100 if not D5100.
 
The handling is all important. I use back button AF and the D5100 has two identical-feel buttons side by side. On my trials, I found that I couldn't reliably find the same button every time.

I actually think the D3100 has an almost perfect A-mode setup for me - AF back button, dial for Aperture, Fn button left hand for ISO, half press shutter for AE lock. The 5100 is slightly, but noticeably, thicker than the 3100, but the 3100 screen is fixed.

Both carry the same AF sensors, both are capable of great shots. Don't sweat the difference in high ISO's too much, they'll both produce useable 6400 and 12800 images. BTW, the 55-300 is another of Nikon's highly underrated lenses, and mine is as sharp in the real world as my 70-300 was. I never look at a print and wonder what the MTF curves were.

Go for whichever you like the feel of better, and that includes similar cameras from Canon,Pentax et al. Don't take anyone's word off the internet, you have to do this yourself! Just don't get suckered into thinking these are 'beginners cameras' ; not only do they pack more punch than generation-old higher end stuff, they're just tools, it's your ability and good light that defines an image.
 
The only thing that disappoints me about the d3100 is the screen - for me, it's very dark ( I have upped the brightness ) and has in the past lead me to delete shots that perhaps I should've kept. Apart from that, I think it's great - I've had mine 2 years now
 
Brian_of_Bozeat said:
My opinion on the grey import thing is that I will be getting brand new at 2nd hand prices - The shop warranty is way better than non at all! - and I will know where it's been.

I'm decided on the D5100 with the 2 lenses deal - will purchase after Xmas is out of the way, I'm still on the look in the meantime, in case a better deal comes up somewhere.
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Not really you can buy the camera and 2 lenses from uk such as amazon for £524 with the cashback deal on at the moment. £55 cheaper than you've just paid, not a good deal at all. Then if anything goes wrong it won't cost £50 to ship back and wait 3 months for a repair.
 
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That deal includes the 55-200, not the 55-300, which is at least £100 more expensive normally.

However, the Amazon deal is better than it looks because you can actually claim £90 cashback on that kit, not £55 :) So £473 which is very inviting :)

Al
 
Al1944 said:
That deal includes the 55-200, not the 55-300, which is at least £100 more expensive normally.

However, the Amazon deal is better than it looks because you can actually claim £90 cashback on that kit, not £55 :) So £473 which is very inviting :)

Al
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No the ebay deal he posted is the 55-300. The prices i calculated on amazon was the d510 18-55 and the 55-300 also.
 
Looking at the 55-300 it may not be a uk model as its not sold by amazon directly, just fulfilled by them . They are selling it themselves for £266 which will defo be a uk model.
 
There won't be any cashback on the lens as it isn't sold by a Nikon authorised retailer. If it had been sold by Amazon themselves it should have been OK if it was UK stock. So the price would be roughly the same as from Carmarthen Cameras I mentioned above - UK stock/UK warranty etc.
 
damianmkv said:
The only thing that disappoints me about the d3100 is the screen - for me, it's very dark ( I have upped the brightness ) and has in the past lead me to delete shots that perhaps I should've kept. Apart from that, I think it's great - I've had mine 2 years now
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Same here with the d5100. Comparing the screen on a sunny-ish day with the screen on a a77 it's embarrassing.
 
Well stage 1 for me is complete - have purchased a D3100. Next decision to make is 55-200 or 55-300 :)

Al
 
Price was a big factor for me. Could have bought the 3200 - or indeed the D5100 - but would have had to forego the additional lens.

Al

PS - Why are you getting rid of your 3200? ;)
 
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