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Nikon calls the cropped sensor format DX, while Canon calls it APS-C, with both manufacturers offering a wide variety of lenses built for their cropped sensor cameras. The integration of these smaller sensors into entry level cameras help to keep the cost of the camera down, as price is often a deciding factor in people moving from compact cameras to DSLR cameras. The Nikon D5100 and the Canon T3i are both cropped sensor cameras, which use a smaller sized CMOS sensor. *Information from Nikon USA and Canon USA websites, including pricing. Just the Facts, A Side-By-Side Comparison of the D5100 vs T3i
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Both cameras will provide years of service to the photographer and both the Nikon D5100 and the Canon T3i are capable of capturing excellent images, as well as video. As a result, both cameras are very easy to operate with a variety of automatic and scene settings, yet allow the photographer the ability to use various manual and other settings as their skills develop. The Nikon D5100 and The Canon T3i are both cameras geared towards beginning photographers transitioning from a point and shoot camera to a DSLR camera.
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