Nikon vs Canon: Enter the Nikon D5100

 

by William Maher  

 

If you're shopping for a beginner DSLR, the new Nikon D5100 should be on your radar whether you're a Nikon fan or not. Here's why.

 

It's no secret here at PC & Tech Authority that we've been big Canon fans over the years - from various IXUS cameras, up to the G12 and EOS 7D (currently on our A-List), plenty of Canon cameras have earned our praise.

But the fact that Nikon is currently gracing our A-List in the "beginner DSLR" category, shows that you'd be wise to keep an open mind when it comes to DSLR brands. We're big fans of the Nikon D3100 (around the $1000 mark), which won our most recent group test thanks in part to image quality and ease of use.

Now Nikon is introducing the D5100, which looks even more impressive and should give Canon's new 600D a run for your money.

Both cameras are equipped to take advantage of two trends in DSLR - HD video recording, and special modes such as night vision and HDR.

Both cameras shoot 1080p video, but it's beyond this that they add various tricks. The Nikon shoots at 24/30fps, and has the ability to let you add in-camera effects as well as continuous autofocus while shooting video. The Nikon has an external mike input for a new ME-1 stereo microphone Nikon is bringing out. Meanwhile, the Canon shoots video at 24/25/30 fps with full manual control.

Both cameras offer a range of special filters and modes. As we're seeing on a number of news cameras, including Panasonic models, the D5100 includes a special mode for shooting at night. "Night Vision" bumps ISO up to an equivalent of 102400. As well as scene modes, the camera also includes special effects that can be previewed.

The Canon 600D includes a variety of creative art filters, including a fish eye mode and toy camera mode, as well as scene intelligent auto - something compact camera users will be familiar with.

Both cameras have variable angle TFT screens.

One of the most important questions, as always, will be image quality. The Canon 600D impresses on paper with an 18MP CMOS, versus the Nikon's 16.2MP CMOS. We'll reserve our final judgement for when we've done a full review.

With the 600D priced at $1249 for the single IS lens kit, and Ted's cameras listing the D5100 for $999 for the camera body (the site says stock is arriving in May), these two cameras look like being a close matchup. 

source : http://www.pcauthority.com.au