Nikon D5100 review
Review Date : Tue, 19 Apr 2011
Author : Mike Lowe
- Sample Photos: Nikon D5100 review sample images gallery
The Nikon D5100 adds a full vari-angle LCD screen and new Effects modes to Nikon's DSLR fold. How well does the D5100 walk the line between beginner and mid-level enthusiasts? The What Digital Camera Nikon D5100 review finds out…
| Pros: | Good image quality, improved live view mode, responsive AF, impressive movie options |
|---|---|
| Cons: | Non-customiseable Effects, no AF-point lock, no remote commander, no DoF preview |
The Nikon D5100 updates the D5000 model, but continues to sit alongside the D90 in the range - quashing rumours that this latter model was to be replaced. The D5100 straddles the beginner and mid-level consumer market, merging entry-level 'fun' features such as Effects modes along with an image sensor pulled directly from the D7000 and many other features adopted from the D3100. Can the D5100 successfully fit snugly into the gap between those two cameras? The What Digital Camera Nikon D5100 review takes a look...
Nikon D5100 review - Features
The Nikon D5100 has a number of modes and features that Nikon is keen to shout about: First of all it's got an LCD screen mounted on a bracket for 360 degree
positioning at more unusual angles - an ideal accomplice for videographers looking to use the 1080p Full HD movie mode to best effect.
Secondly is the new Effects mode that opens up seven specific options for immediate in-camera results: Night Vision; Color Sketch; Miniature; Selective Color; Silhouette; High Key and Low Key. Their appeal is leaned more towards the mass market, where companies such as Olympus have seen some success, though the balance of such ‘fun' options inside a rather well-specified piece of kit may cause some more serious photographers to question the camera's main focus.
Nikon D5100 review - click for full size image
Fear not, then, that the Nikon D5100 is rather like a head-on collision between the current D7000 and D3100 models. The same 16.2MP APS-C CMOS sensor as found in the D7000 makes its way into the D5100 body alongside the EXPEED 2 image processing engine for top-flight image quality. Metering is taken care of by the same 420-pixel RGB sensor as found in the D3100, where the same 11-point AF system and Li-ion battery are also imported to the D5100's spec.
But it's far from copy and paste: The Nikon D5100's left-side mounted vari-angle LCD screen is certainly a new approach from Nikon, while other features such as live view get a makeover for faster focusing than any other Nikon DSLR. The 1080p movie mode also sees the inclusion of 30/25/24fps adjustable frame rates.
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Latest comments
August 03 16:04
MILIND
I was watchin thy review of d5100 coz my father gave gieft of this so i had wacth this & i love this
September 23 09:04
Carl Sanders
Nice articulated and to the point reviews, thanks
November 19 07:23
ERNEST
I can pay only 770$, please tell me which is the best nikon camera as a prfessional in the range of 770$,
November 23 17:35
Nikhil
The price in John Lewis is £650 52,650/- The price in Jessops is £650 52,650/- in rupees. http//www.jessops.com/Directory/catalogue.ashx/categoriesLTjessops_1/categoriesLTjessops_1_10?fh_location2f2fjessops2fen_GB2fisvisible3d12fcategories3Cjessops_12fcategories3Cjessops_1_102fmanufacturername3dnikon The price in India on the Nikon site is 39,950/- rupees. http//www.nikon.co.in/pagearticle.php?pageid88-03d48607f3 Why is there a price discrepancy? It seems that the same product is 13000/- rupees more expensive here. In India they seem to offer a bag and SD card free with the camera as well. This seems unfair.