Would it be a good idea to buy a Nikon d5100 body and sell my d3100?

I bought a nikon d3100 off of craigslist for $300 that came with 2 lens. The camera and everything came in perfect condition. Recently I came across a nikon d5100 body getting sold for $300 also. Would it be a good idea to sell my d3100 body and buy the d5100 for $300?

Is there anything that the D3100 is not doing that the D5100 would do? My guess, is no. Learn to use the D3100 to its fullest extent, and then consider moving up.

Just because you own a camera with a higher number doesn't mean you're going to take better pictures.
My guess is you don't even know how to properly operate the 3100. Learn that first.

Only you can answer that.

You are not going to see that much improvement between the two. And if you sell the 3100 with one of your lenses, you will eventually want a second lens. So at some point, there's probably a new lens purchase in order.

Until you understand the fundamentals of photography and know how to fully understand how to use your D3100, intuitively, there really is no advantage in spending more money buying the D5100 (both are entry level cameras)

It can take up to two or three years to learn to control ANY fully adjustable camera, so spending time and money buying a "better" camera is not really worth it. Not until you have invested the time necessary graduate from being a novice to a more advanced amateur photographer.

Probably not…

I have D60 and D200 here. D60 is a consumer camera and D200 is a semi-professional camera. I make exactly the same photographs with either cameras. I have F100 which is a film camera from 1990s. I also have Kodak Tourist, which is a camera from 1950. I also have a D800 which I use for very specific purposes. All together, I probably have more than dozen cameras. Only rarely, equipment makes difference. I have different cameras because I like them, and I use them when there are specific and special need that actually require those equipment.

With any of my cameras, I can't take photographs that I (as a photographer) can't see. I often take satisfying photographs with very simple (and often old) cameras.

Photography happens about 5 inches behind the camera. (which is photographer's brain) Besides, between D3100 and D5100, there isn't a great deal of differences.

I wouldn't suggest you'd sell your D3100 and buy a D5100. If you want to, go right ahead. But don't think your photographs will be any better or different.

In terms of image quality, no. The D5100 won't produce significantly better pictures and certainly not $300 worth.

If you intend taking a lot of macro (very close up) photos and intend to use the LCD to get down low, then the D5100 might be worth the upgrade price. But before you spend $300 on a D5100 I'd say get a decent Macro lens first! The LCD is MUCH better at 3x the resolution and it's moveable - but to most people that won't be worth $300.

If you plan to do a lot of video then the D5100 might be worthwhile. You can plug in an external microphone and you will want the improved LCD - but if you want to do a lot of video a $300 HD camcorder would probably be a better choice anyway.

Save your money and either put it towards a lens or flash that you really do want or a much better body such as the D7000 or D7100 when you can afford it.

Buying with your head? Read the other answers. No great advantage.

Buying with your heart? If you want it then go for it!

Repeat this 100 times: "It isn't the camera its the photographer."

Your knowledge of light, exposure, composition and depth of field and your skill in using that knowledge is what determines the quality of your images. Without that knowledge and skill the make and model of your camera is irrelevant.

LIGHT
http://photographyknowhow.com/quality-of-light-in-photography/
http://photographyknowhow.com/direction-of-light-in-photography/

EXPOSURE
http://sigital-photography-school.com/learning-exposure-in-digital-photography

COMPOSITION
http://www.photographymad.com/pages/view/10-top-photography-composition-rules

DEPTH of FIELD
http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/...-field.htm

Another part of photography is called "Seeing Photographically".
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/columns/aesthetics-1.shtml

Good photography requires thinking about light, exposure, composition and depth of field before you release the shutter. If your current shooting style is to point your camera here, there and everywhere while releasing the shutter you can spend $10,000.00 on a camera and lenses and get the exact same results as you're getting now.

No its not really worth the hassles of selling the D3100, and buying the D5100 - a camera thats not really any better. Its only got a few more pixels. Save up for a D7000 or higher, then it would be worth it.

It would be a better idea to try and find a D7000 / D7100.