In April, 2011 Nikon announced the arrival of its new 16.2 megapixel DX format DSLR F-mount camera. For around $500.00, you get the camera, rechargeable lithium-ion battery (EN-EL14), battery charger (MH-24), A/V and USB cables, eyepiece cap, rubber eyecup, ViewNX2 software and owner’s manual. The camera is a popular addition to Nikon’s line of non-professional DSLR cameras that is aimed at attracting the attention of enthusiast photographers without hurting the sales of the other models made by Nikon. Its feature set and pricing puts it between the beginner-friendly D3100 and the high-end D7000 but if you are wondering which model is right for you, D3100/D5100/D7000 is an ideal progression in the lineup of choosing which Nikon DSLR camera to buy. The D5100 16.2MP CMOS sensor is similar to the one seen in the D7000 but lacks a wireless flash control, magnesium alloy build and 39-point AF system of the higher end model but the underlying image quality is still very impressive.
Standard for a Nikon at this price point, the D5100 offers a single control dial, pentamirror viewfinder and no built-in autofocus motor but offers a 1080p video capability (at 30, 25 or 24fps) with an efficient H.264/AVC codec, and a 920,000 dot fully articulated LCD panel to help shoot it. The D5100 having smaller, neater construction and a more conventional side-mounted hinge for the LCD ensures a more elegant appearance to the model lineup.
Finally, although the D5100 is listed as having an Expeed 2 processor, it’s worth mentioning that Nikon doesn’t use this naming system for any specific components, so the actual capabilities aren’t necessarily the same as those in the D3100 or D7000 but the similar specced 16.2MP sensor, offers the same ISO settings that extends up to an equivalent of ISO 25,600. That along with the 14-bit Raw shooting is also something Nikon offers with the D5100 that it only used to offer only on its more expensive models.