Generally people look at the sensor resolution as big deciding factor, but on these two cameras there is no difference in the megapixels. But you should keep in mind that the RAW image size on the D7000 is 19MB which is quite large. If you are like me, then on a day out I am constantly pressing the shutter release and I quickly end up with several hundred images. So if you are leaning towards the Nikon D7000, then keep in mind that you will need more storage, both on the camera and your computer.

For me the weight of a camera is always important, as I often travel with young children, who need a lot of stuff. If this is an issue for you then you need to consider that the D5100 is considerably lighter.

Both cameras have the same screen resolution, but as already mentioned above, the Nikon D5100has the very convenient feature of a foldable swivel display. This feature gives you great flexibility when it comes to getting a good view point. I can’t remember how many times I have either been lying down on the floor to try and make sure I have good composition and correct focus when I take picture of my kids. Or, there are the situations where I want to take a picture over something where I need to stretch out my arms above my head and end up hoping for the best when it comes to composition.

Speaking of focus, this is one area where the Nikon D7000really shines with 39 focus points compared to 11. This means that the camera will be able to focus a lot quicker and more accurately, and 39 focus points is something you tend to see more on professional cameras.

The Nikon D5100has a lower amount of frames per second, with 4 compared to 6 on the D7000. If you take a lot of action photography, then this is could be quite important to ensure you get that perfect image. Personally I am happy enough with just 4 fps as this is enough for taking pictures of my kids

As I mention above, the differences are subtle and it all comes down to whether you can justify the extra money on a D7000 for the gains in functionality. But here is what I decided on.

Which Camera Did I Buy?

For me the decision between a D5100 vs D7000 was pretty straightforward. The extra $250 was simply not worth it for me, and I actually think that the swivel display on the D5100was the big selling point. It is a feature that I use very regularly and would seriously miss if I suddenly didn’t have it any more.

On this site you will find details about the main feature differences of the D5100 vs D7000 and what to consider when making your decision. I have been a very happy Nikon user for many years (going back to pre-digital days) so I also want to share my decision process and buying experience with you. Hopefully all this will help you to make the best decision for your needs.

While I list the main differences further down on this page, I just want to quickly share with you a Youtube clip that shows those differences.

Before making a final decision I suggest that you read through the info on the rest of this page as I believe it will help you in identifying not only the differences between these two cameras, but also which one may suite you best.

My opinion is of course only one person’s opinion. I always suggest people take a look at the Amazon buyers’ feedback page for the Nikon D5100 as this is a great way to see really good reviews from other buyers and users.

Both the Nikon D7000and D5100are DSLR cameras aimed at the intermediate user taking a big step from entry level DLSR photography to the more advanced digital SLR world.

You are probably looking at buying a Nikon DSLR because you either have used other Nikon cameras and like their usability or you are a first time Nikon buyer who knows of Nikon’s great reputation in the photography world. Either way, it is important to choose the right camera to suite your requirements

One of the most obvious differences between the two cameras is that there is a significant price difference of about $300 for the body only. This is of course a big factor, but on its own it is not enough to make an informed decision on which one to buy. The following table summarizes the main feature differencesbetween the two.

Nikon D5100 vs D7000 comparison table:

Most of the differences between these cameras are subtle but that means that they can be a deciding factor for people looking to buy or upgrade a DSLR. Your final decision between a d5100 vs d7000  will come down to whether the extra cost is worth it for your needs. So keep on reading to find out more.One great feature on the D7000is that it has two memory card slots. This features allows you to either back up all images to a second memory card to prevent loss of data, or, more likely, you would use it as additional storage. When one memory card is full the camera will start saving to the second one. Given the large file sizes in RAW format, this is a very handy feature on the Nikon D7000.

If you are comparing the Nikon D5100 vs D7000, then you are clearly looking for a truly excellent camera. Both these cameras are digital SLR cameras, and they are both from Nikon.  Nikon cameras are some of the best on the market, and are loved alike by beginner photographers as well as by professionals.

Below, I have put down, in an easy to read table, some of the key features of each, so that you can easily compare the D5100 with the D7000.  Hopefully this will make your decision easier.

Nikon D5100	Nikon D7000
The Nikon D5100 costs about $549 without lens The battery life on the D5100 is not as long as that of the D7000 The D5100 is smaller and lighter The D5100 has a 16.2 mega-pixel CMOS sensor in it Nikon’s D5100 has 11 focus points This one is not as weather resistant Captures 4 frames per second The D5100 has a single memory card slot Fewer dedicated controls on this camera The LCD swings out horizontally, and can swivel <	The Nikon D7000 costs about $1099 without lens The battery life on the D7000 is longer This one is slightly larger and heavier The D7000 also has a 16.2 mega-pixel CMOS sensor Nikon’s D7000 has 39 focus points The D7000 is more weather resistant Captures 6 frames per second There are 2 memory card slots, which is very useful. More controls for advanced settings The D7000 has a fixed LCD which does not swivel around

Keep in mind that the choice of lens is going to impact the picture quality greatly, regardless of which of the cameras you buy.  You might want to consider buying the Nikon D5100 together with lens, or the Nikon D7000 together with lens, since this is often more economical than buying the camera and lens separately.

You can also find out more about the D5100 or the D7000. Hope you found this discussion of Nikon D5100 vs D7000 cameras useful!