Nikon D5100 In-depth Review

Review based on a production Nikon D5100, Firmware A 1.00, B 1.00

The overall look of the D5100 seems to indication the knowing Nikons renew of its non-pro DSLR choice. Its function set and costs mean that it places very definitely between the beginner-friendly D3100 and the high-end D7000 - it's clearly targeted to entice the attention of fan camcorders lovers without cannibalizing earnings of is sis designs. A dslr dslr digital camera manufacturer can assess the achievements of its industry placement by seeing how many individuals are considering 'which design is right for me?' on conversation boards - and we think a D3100/D5100/D7000 development would reduce such issues. The formal extensive range is that the D90 preserves its place in the extensive range, but both its manufacturers and overlap with other designs recommend that its element is now more one of conventional attention than upcoming importance.

The D5100 has a very similar 16.2MP CMOS indication to the amazing one seen in the D7000 but, normally, drops out on that online digital camera's high-end make and feature-set. So there's no wifi display management, vitamin nutrient mineral magnesium metal make or 39-point AF program but the actual picture amazing is all but similar.

As has become conventional for a Nikon at this cost, the D5100 provides just one management modify, pentamirror viewfinder and no built-in auto-focus web page. However, it earnings 1080p movie ability (at 30, 25 or 24fps), stored using the effective H.264/AVC codec, and a 920,000 dot definitely articulated LCD board to help capture it. These are both considerable earnings over its forerunner the D5000, and the upgrades enhance to the D5100 having little, more clean development and a more conventional side-mounted mixed for that LCD.

These changes handle two rather distressing factors of Nikon's existing lineup: if the D5100 and D7000 end up being nearby designs it will prevent the inelegant overlap that ongoing between the D5000 and D90. It also guarantees a more stylish overall look to the designs themselves (the D5000 was many factors, but quite wasn't one of them).

Although the D5100 is particular as having an Expeed 2 processer, it's value keeping in ideas that Nikon doesn't use this manufacturers program to indicate any particular elements, so the actual sections of plastic and abilities aren't actually the same as those in the D3100 or D7000. However, moreover to a in the same way specced 16.2MP indication, the D5100 provides the same ISO alternatives as its big sibling - enhancing up to an comparative of ISO 25,600. It also gets 14-bit Raw getting - one of the factors that allows provide the D7000 its amazing extremely effective extensive range - which is something Nikon used to provide only on its more costly designs.

Side by side

The D5100 is a bit little than the Insurgent T3i/EOS 600D - probably its closest opposition. Both are a little bit bigger than the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2, which is designed around less scaly indication, and of course does not have an visual viewfinder set up (instead using a top amazing digital finder). Comfort, the G2 is the most 'involved', and has the most actual management factors and a touch-sensitive LCD display, but overall the three digital cameras are actually quite similar.

Nikon D5100 Key Features

• 16.2 megapixel DX-format CMOS sensor
• Side-articulated 3.0" LCD monitor (920,000 dots)
• 11 AF points (with 3D tracking)
• IS0 100-6400 range (Up to 25,600 equivalent when expanded)
• HD movies (1080p, 720p or WVGA)
• 4 fps continuous shooting
• In-camera effects filters in both stills and video modes

Compared to D5000

The D5100 is a smaller and (we think) more attractive camera than its predecessor the D5000. It is less bulbous, and closer to the D3100 and D7000 in terms of styling. The most significant design difference is the addition of a side-hinging LCD screen in the D5100, as opposed to the bulkier (and more awkward) bottom-hinged LCD used in the D5000.

Key Differences

• Higher resolution sensor (16.2MP vs. 14MP)
• 1080p video mode
• Wider ISO range (100-25,600 equivalent)
• Full-time AF mode (AF-F in live view)
• Dual IR receivers (front and rear)
• Side-articulated LCD screen (as opposed to bottom-articulated)
• 921k dot LCD screen
• 14-bit NEF (Raw) mode
• Effects modes

Compared to the D3100 and D5000: major feature and specification differences

As you can see from the table below the D5100's specification is a significant advance over its predecessor, and substantially in advance of its little brother the D3100.

	Nikon D3100	Nikon 5100	Nikon D5000
Sensor	• 14.2 million effective pixels  • 23.1 x 15.4 mm CMOS (DX format)	• 16.2 million effective pixels  • 23.6 x 15.6 mm CMOS (DX format)	• 12.3 million effective pixels  • 23.6 x 15.8 mm CMOS (DX format)
Image sizes	• 4608 x 3072 (14.2 MP)  • 3456 x 2304  • 2304 x 1536	• 4928 x 3264 (16.2MP)  • 3696 x 2448  • 2464 x 1632	• 4288 x 2848 (12 MP)  • 3216 x 2136  • 2144 x 1424
Movie mode	• 1080p24  • 720p30/25/24  • 424p24	• 1080p30/25/24  • 720p30/25/24  • 424p30/24	• 720p24
Sensor cleaning	• Image Sensor Cleaning  • Airflow control system  • Image Dust Off reference data (optional Capture NX 2 software required)	• Image Sensor Cleaning  • Airflow control system  • Image Dust Off reference data (optional Capture NX 2 software required)	• Image Sensor Cleaning  • Airflow control system  • Image Dust Off reference data (optional Capture NX 2 software required)
AF drive mode	• AF-A  • AF-S  • AF-C  • MF  • AF-F (Live view only)	• AF-A  • AF-S  • AF-C  • MF  • AF-F (Live view only)	• AF-A  • AF-S  • AF-C  • MF
Sensitivity	• ISO 100 - 3200  • To ISO 12800 with boost	• ISO 100 - 6400  • To ISO 25600 with boost	• ISO 200 - 3200  • ISO 100-6400 with boost
Continuous	• 3 fps	• 4 fps  • 100 / 16 frames    (Fine JPEG / RAW)	• 4 fps  • 63 / 11 frames    (Fine JPEG / RAW)
AE bracketing	No	Yes	Yes
Viewfinder magnification	• 0.8x	• 0.78x	• 0.78x
Viewfinder Frame coverage	• Approx. 95%	• Approx. 95%	• Approx. 95%
LCD monitor	• 3.0" TFT LCD  • 230,000 pixel TFT	• 3.0" TFT LCD  • 921,000 pixel TFT  • Articulated	• 2.7" TFT LCD  • 230,000 pixel TFT  • Articulated
Dimensions	124 x 96 x 74.5 mm (4.9 x 3.7 x 3.0 in)	128 x 97 x 79 mm (5.0 x 3.8 x 3.1in)	127 x 104 x 80 mm (5.0 x 4.1 x 3.1 in)
Weight	• No battery: 455g (1.0 lb)  • With battery: 505g (1.1 lb)	• No battery: 510g (1.1 lb)  • With battery: 560g (1.2 lb.)	• No battery: 560g (1.2 lb.)  • With battery: 611g (1.3 lb.)
Image processing engine	• Expeed 2  • 12 bit	• Expeed 2  • 14 bit	• Expeed  • 12 bit
Active D-lighting	On/Off	Auto, Extra high, High, Normal, Low, or Off	Auto, Extra high, High, Normal, Low, or Off
In-camera retouching	• D-Lighting  • Red-eye reduction  • Trimming  • Monochrome & filter  effects  • Color balance  • Small picture  • Image overlay  • NEF (RAW) processing  • Quick retouch  • Straighten  • Distortion control  • Fisheye  • Color outline  • Perspective control  • Miniature effect  • Edit movie	• D-Lighting  • Red-eye reduction  • Trimming  • Monochrome & filter effects  • Color balance  • Image overlay  • NEF (RAW) processing  • Resize  • Quick retouch  • Straighten  • Distortion control  • Fisheye  • Color outline  • Color sketch  • Perspective control  • Miniature effect  • Selective Color  • Edit movie  • Side-by-side comparison	• D-Lighting  • Red-eye reduction  • Trimming  • Monochrome & filter effects  • Color balance  • Small picture  • Image overlay  • NEF (RAW) processing  • Quick retouch  • Straighten  • Distortion control  • Fisheye  • Color outline  • Perspective contro

Original Article:www.dpreview.com