Nikon D5500 vs D5300 vs D5200 vs D5100: 10 Wi-fi and GPS
• D5100 No wi-fi connectivity, GPS via optional GP-1 unit
• D5200 Wi-fi via optional WU-1a unit, GPS via optional GP-1 unit
• D5300 Wi-fi and GPS built in
• D5500 Wi-fi built in
The Nikon D5100 came out before Nikon's plug-in wi-fi adaptors were launched, so if you want wi-fi image transfer to a smart device and remote control you'll need the D5200 and Nikon's WU-1a adaptor (around £48/$49).
Even better, the Nikon D5300 has wi-fi built-in. If you want to add location data to your photos with GPS, you can get the GP-1/A adaptor (around £200/$280) for the Nikon D5100 and D5200, but the D5300 has GPS built in.
If you want both, you could argue that the D5300 saves you the cost of both add-ons - and the combined value of £248/$329 does represent a major saving.
Somewhat bizarrely, the spec sheet for the Nikon D5500 makes no mention of GPS, which would suggest that while the inbuilt Wi-Fi remains, the company has taken the decision to drop GPS… perhaps it believes that its an underused feature.
Nikon D5500 vs D5300 vs D5200 vs D5100: 11 Construction
• D5100 128 x 97 x 79mm, 510g
• D5200 129 x 98 x 78mm, 505g
• D5300 125 x 98 x 76mm, 480g
• D5500 124 x 97 x 70mm, 470g
The Nikon D5100 and D5200 use regular camera construction techniques, but the D5300 is the first Nikon DSLR to have a 'monocoque' construction - a body made in a single piece. This saves weight with no reduction in strength.
The Nikon D5100 and D5200 were already very light at 510g and 555g respectively, but the new Nikon D5300 weighs just 480g. It's also a few millimetres smaller than both its predecessors. Nikon says the D5300 also has an improved grip, and it's once again said the same thing about the Nikon D5500. The new camera is also ever so slightly smaller and lighter - and also uses a monocoque structure.
Nikon D5500 vs D5300 vs D5200 vs D5100: 12 Battery life
• D5100 EN-EL14, 400 shots
• D5200 EN-EL14, 500 shots
• D5300 EN-EL14a, 600 shots
• D5500 EN-EL14a, 820 shots
The D5100 and D5200 share the same battery type, but energy efficiency improvements in the D5200 extended the battery life from 400 shots to 500.
But the D5300 has a new 'a' version of the battery which is externally the same but modified to give an even longer life of 600 shots.
The Nikon D5500 shares the same battery as its predecessor, but once again efficiency improvements come in again to boost battery life to 820 shots. Battery life is probably the key area in which DSLRs retain an advantage of compact system cameras - for now.
SEE MORE: Photography Basics: the No. 1 cheat sheet for metering and exposure
Nikon D5500 vs D5300 vs D5200 vs D5100: 13 Price
• D5100 £336/$547 body only, £389/$647 with 18-55mm VR kit lens
• D5200 £509/$697 body only, £549/$797 with 18-55mm VR kit lens
• D5300 £730/$TBC body only, £830/$TBC with 18-55mm VR kit lens
• D5500 £719 with 18-55mm VR kit lens
The longer cameras stay on the market, the cheaper they become, so although the Nikon D5100 and D5200 were launched at a similar price to the Nikon D5300, they're now a great deal cheaper.
The D5100 is around half the cost of the Nikon D5500 price tag, and although it uses an older sensor and a less sophisticated AF system, it's still a very good camera - especially at this price.
The Nikon D5200 has the same resolution and AF system as the D5300, and it also cheaper, but by a smaller margin.
Meanwhile, the Nikon D5500 is around £200 more expensive than its slightly older predecessor. There's not too much of a huge difference between the two cameras, and with it having the same sensor and processor, image quality is likely to be extremely similar.
PAGE 1 - Nikon D5500 vs D5300 vs D5100 vs D5200: Sensor, ISO range, Image processing
PAGE 2 - Nikon D5300 vs D5200 vs D5100: Continuous shooting, AF & Viewfinder
PAGE 3 - Nikon D5300 vs D5200 vs D5100: LCD display, Effects & Movie modes
PAGE 4 - Nikon D5300 vs D5200 vs D5100: Wi-fi and GPS, Construction, Battery & Price
PAGE 5 - Nikon D5300 vs D5200 vs D5100: What we think
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