Nikon D5100 has a
16.0MP APS-C (23.6 x 15.7 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features Expeed 2 processor. On the other hand, Canon 650D has a
18.0MP APS-C (22.3 x 14.9 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features Digic 5 processor.
Below you can see the D5100 and 650D sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Nikon D5100 and Canon 650D Cameras
As seen above, Nikon D5100 has a 1.1x Larger sensor area than Canon 650D. Larger sensors give photographer more control on the depth of field and blurry background compared to smaller sensor when shot in same focal length and aperture.
DxOMark Sensor Scores
Both Nikon D5100 and Canon 650D sensors have been tested by DxoMark. DxoMark scores camera sensors for color depth (DXO Portrait), dynamic range (DXO Landscape) and low-light sensitivity (DXO Sports), and also gives them an overall score. Of the two cameras that we are comparing, D5100 has scored 80, 18 points higher than 650D.
Model
Overall
Color Depth
Dynamic Range
Low-light ISO
Nikon D5100
80
23.5 bits
13.6 Evs
1183 ISO
Canon 650D
62
21.7 bits
11.2 Evs
722 ISO
Sensor size sets the circle of confusion, so it drives how much depth of field each
of these bodies gives you at a given aperture. You can calculate it exactly for the
Nikon D5100
or the
Canon 650D ,
including hyperfocal distance.
