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 80D has a
24.0MP APS-C (22.5 x 15 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features DIGIC 6 processor.
Canon 80D's sensor provides 8MP more than Nikon D5100's sensor, which gives a significant advantage in real life. You can print your images larger or crop more freely.
On the other hand, please keep in mind that Max sensor resolution is not the only determinant of resolving power. Factors such as the optical elements, low pass filter, pixel size and sensor technology also affects the final resolution of the captured image.
Below you can see the D5100 and 80D sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Nikon D5100 and Canon 80D Cameras
Nikon D5100 and Canon 80D have almost the same sensor size, so neither of them has any significant advantage over the other in terms of providing control over depth of field when used with the same focal length and aperture.
DxOMark Sensor Scores
Both Nikon D5100 and Canon 80D 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, 1 points higher than 80D.
Model
Overall
Color Depth
Dynamic Range
Low-light ISO
Nikon D5100
80
23.5 bits
13.6 Evs
1183 ISO
Canon 80D
79
23.6 bits
13.2 Evs
1135 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 80D ,
including hyperfocal distance.
