A Body Decision

Hike Pics · Oct 12, 2025

D3200 vs D5100

I guess this question has probably come up many times over the years. I have been reading a bit on the two concerning their features and user's thoughts. I know they are older cameras but I'm more concerned in staying with a rather tight budget for this. Currently the D3200 used comes in around $100 and the D5100 at around $120. I'm going to be using the 55-200 DX VR almost always.

Years ago I was given the 55-200mm DX (non-VR) lens from a friend. Since I didn't have a Nikon I looked around and picked up a D60. I used that setup for a while (I have posted photos with it on the forum) but traded it a couple years ago for an E-M1. Now I am wanting another Nikon and would like a little step up from D60. These days I just shoot snaps of whatever I find interesting. I don't print much.

I like the idea of the articulating screen on the D5100 for shooting macro down low to the ground. But the slightly less weight and size of the D3200 is also an interest.

Thoughts.....

WPMChan · Oct 12, 2025

I don't have a D3200, but I have a D5100.

I had a D40x before I bought the D5100. I like the D5100 because of its articulating screen, video capability, much better focusing and better sensor than the D40x.

From what I understand, the D3200 has a more advanced sensor and a similar autofocus system as in the D5100, but has a fixed screen.

As far as I can tell, the only major differences are in the sensor and in the articulating screen.

Howard V · Oct 13, 2025

The D3200 has more resolution - 24 MP. I have the same sensor in my D7100. I love it! The tonalities are ideal in broad light. It's the only Toshiba sensor I've seen in Nikon DSLRs. Reminds me of the look of FF for dynamic range. These were all taken with the 18-55 VR II.

Film grain added for effect (not native sensor noise).

Hike Pics · Oct 13, 2025

Thanks Howard, very nice images.

I didn't know the D3200 has a Toshiba sensor. I always thought Nikon used Sony. I have 3 older Sony bodies (lots of A-mount lenses) and that is a part of the reason I traded my D60.

Hike Pics · Oct 13, 2025

Yes, the screen would help my aging back when I wanted to get down on the ground to shoot shrooms.

Howard V · Oct 13, 2025

The only Toshiba sensor Nikon used to my knowledge, was in the D3200/D5200/D7100 cameras. Someone here told me that Toshiba sensors were actually fabricated by Sony. I don’t pretend to be an expert on sensors. But I sure like this one.

Hike Pics · Oct 13, 2025

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/56873778

This list shows the D3200 sensor as Nikon (if the info is correct).

WPMChan · Oct 13, 2025

Hike Pics said:
Yes, the screen would help my aging back when I wanted to get down on the ground to shoot shrooms.

You'll love it.

As a bonus, I always get perfect focus when shooting in Live View, even with my Sigma lenses.

My D5100 does not have AF fine tune, and those Sigma lenses, which ironically, had worked very well with my D40x, were always a bit off in AF when on the D5100 when using PDAF.

Howard V · Oct 13, 2025

Hike Pics said:
https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/56873778

This list shows the D3200 sensor as Nikon (if the info is correct).

I also just did research, and Nikon is correct - not Toshiba. My other source proved unreliable. Thanks, for the correction.

2sealsonwheels · Oct 14, 2025

while I only have experience with the D3500, then buying a D5600, I still use my D3500 as much as the D5600....I keep the AFP DX 70-300 4.5-6.3 VR on the D3500 and the AFS FX 500 PF VR on the D5600....when Im doing BIF, or Astro, then I for sure use the D5600 for the added focus point (BIF) and the articulating rear LCD (Astro).....but I used the D3500 with it's 11 focus points just fine for YEARS before getting the D5600.

If I was to make a suggestion, I would go with the higher pixel count on the D3200, as my use of the moveable rear screen is very rare, but I do use it and like it when I do, but again, I used the D3500 for astro for many years, without real issue......

They both have the same number of focus points (11)....and so I would go with the 24 megapixel sensor....:-D

Says the guy with the Instagram handle of "24Megapixseal"....LOL....feel free to peruse my IG photo, there's plenty of D3500 photos there from just the last couple days!

--
Just having FUN with little old DSLR cameras!
Nikon D3500/D5600 and AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED VR Lens and recently with the AF-S FX 500mm f/5.6 PF VR (Loving this lens!)
https://www.instagram.com/24megapixseal/

Hike Pics · Oct 18, 2025

I just ordered a D5100 from MPB. It was $97 and in "Well Used" condition but from the photos it looks very nice. OEM battery and charger as well. After lots of reading I think this body will serve me better in the long run. I almost went with a D300 as I like to have buttons than menu items.

Also getting a 50-200mm VR II lens. I think it will do fine until I can get a nicer lens someday.

I also might pick up a D40 because of the "cult appeal" and some great photos I've seen.

David Lal · Oct 18, 2025

Hike Pics said:
I almost went with a D300 as I like to have buttons than menu items.

Give me knobs, buttons and switches any day over screen menus. I can't stand menu-diving, needing to put on reading glasses, take off gloves and shield screen from the sunlight etc!

Still, enjoy your new toy.

WPMChan · Oct 18, 2025

Hike Pics said:
I just ordered a D5100 from MPB. It was $97 and in "Well Used" condition but from the photos it looks very nice. OEM battery and charger as well. After lots of reading I think this body will serve me better in the long run.

Great choice. If I didn't drop and break my D5100, I probably would still be using it. I liked the D5100 very much. It could do everything I wanted in my photography.

I bought a Coolpix A, the pocketable D5100, at about the same time as I had the D5100, around 2013, with similar sensor, control and handling. I am still using it today.

My favourite lenses on the D5100 were a Sigma 18-200 DC, OS HSM, and after it died, the Nikon AFS 18-140 VR. I used them for just about everything and am still using the 18-140 on my D5600 and D780.

I would also recommend the AFS 18-55 VRII. It is not just very cheap, it is amazingly sharp and compact.

I have the AFP version, optically identical to the AFS VRII. The AFP version is slightly faster in AF, however, I don't think it is compatible with D5100.

Redhenry · Oct 18, 2025

Hike Pics said:
I also might pick up a D40 because of the "cult appeal" and some great photos I've seen.

D40s are a bargain these days. MPB in the UK have several with fewer than 2000 shutter actuations for around £45 (perhaps $58 in US). I bought mine for a similar price, with 800 shutter count.

photoholiko · Oct 18, 2025

You made the right choice, not that the D3200 is bad, but the D5100 is better, the 3200 doesn't have a focusing motor, that limits you to certain lenses and I feel it's better built.

fotowbert · Oct 18, 2025

photoholiko said:
You made the right choice, not that the D3200 is bad, but the D5100 is better, the 3200 doesn't have a focusing motor, that limits you to certain lenses and I feel it's better built.

A clarification is needed here as the D5100 also doesn't have a focusing motor so the same lens restriction applies to both the D3200 and D5100.

Nikon's product differentiation gods have decreed all D5xxx models, like all D3xxx models, shall be without an in-body AF motor. To AF the older screwdriver type AF lenses you need to step up the D7xxx models.

John

Hike Pics · Oct 18, 2025

David Lal said:
Hike Pics said:

I almost went with a D300 as I like to have buttons than menu items.

Click to expand...

Give me knobs, buttons and switches any day over screen menus. I can't stand menu-diving, needing to put on reading glasses, take off gloves and shield screen from the sunlight etc!

Still, enjoy your new toy.

I still might get one later on. I have a Canon T2i and a 7D. Same sensor. I use the 7D with all its buttons with my bigger lens. I use the lightweight less buttons T2i with my lighter smaller lens. Different setups for different uses.

Hike Pics · Oct 18, 2025

WPMChan said:
Hike Pics said:

I just ordered a D5100 from MPB. It was $97 and in "Well Used" condition but from the photos it looks very nice. OEM battery and charger as well. After lots of reading I think this body will serve me better in the long run.

Click to expand...

Great choice. If I didn't drop and break my D5100, I probably would still be using it. I liked the D5100 very much. It could do everything I wanted in my photography.

I bought a Coolpix A, the pocketable D5100, at about the same time as I had the D5100, around 2013, with similar sensor, control and handling. I am still using it today.

My favourite lenses on the D5100 were a Sigma 18-200 DC, OS HSM, and after it died, the Nikon AFS 18-140 VR. I used them for just about everything and am still using the 18-140 on my D5600 and D780.

I would also recommend the AFS 18-55 VRII. It is not just very cheap, it is amazingly sharp and compact.

I have the AFP version, optically identical to the AFS VRII. The AFP version is slightly faster in AF, however, I don't think it is compatible with D5100.

Thanks for mentioning the lenses. The 18-140 is a maybe, the 18-55 VR II is a probably when I get the D40.

Hike Pics · Oct 18, 2025

Redhenry said:
Hike Pics said:

I also might pick up a D40 because of the "cult appeal" and some great photos I've seen.

Click to expand...

D40s are a bargain these days. MPB in the UK have several with fewer than 2000 shutter actuations for around £45 (perhaps $58 in US). I bought mine for a similar price, with 800 shutter count.

Currently on MPB US, the lowest price is $49 for 89k shutter. The fewest shutter is 8k for $64.

I have an Ebay offer for $34 (tested working) but no batt or charger, don't know shutter count.

Hike Pics · Oct 18, 2025

fotowbert said:
photoholiko said:

You made the right choice, not that the D3200 is bad, but the D5100 is better, the 3200 doesn't have a focusing motor, that limits you to certain lenses and I feel it's better built.

Click to expand...

A clarification is needed here as the D5100 also doesn't have a focusing motor so the same lens restriction applies to both the D3200 and D5100.

Nikon's product differentiation gods have decreed all D5xxx models, like all D3xxx models, shall be without an in-body AF motor. To AF the older screwdriver type AF lenses you need to step up the D7xxx models.

John

Is it correct that the older lenses can be used except only with manual focusing? I kind of remember something about some old lenses that have mounts that can damage the mirror. I think that applies to Canon but not sure about Nikon. I do remember when I had my D60 that the were seemingly random lenses that work, didn't work or some feature of the lens wouldn't work. That always drove me a little crazy when looking at lenses for it.

A Body Decision

Veteran Member

Senior Member

Veteran Member

Veteran Member

Veteran Member

Veteran Member

Veteran Member

Senior Member

Veteran Member

Well-known member

Veteran Member

Forum Pro

Senior Member

Senior Member

Veteran Member

Veteran Member

Veteran Member

Veteran Member

Veteran Member

Veteran Member

Similar threads

Keyboard shortcuts