Review Nikon D5100 DSLR Camera

For most novice photographers, Nikon DSLR D3100 features and performance should be sufficient for them. But if not satisfied with Nikon D3100, there is another option that is Nikon D7000 which is more superior.

Another choice is Nikon D5100. Nikon DSLR D5100 released as a product of the middle that is not too basic and not too high-end.

DSLR Nikon D5100 using 16 MP CMOS sensor. D5100 module still has AF 11 point and 420 segment metering module. But this camera still do not have focus motor in the body (which indicates that the D5100 is still considered as DSLR beginner class). There isn't new breakthrough technology of auto focus when recording live view or video. D5100 is still the same as other cameras that rely on slow detection contrast when auto focus using live-view and video recording.

The interesting thing is the folding screen now folded to the side, instead of down. This will make it easier when the camera is placed on a tripod. As  cameras in same class, both D5100 and D3100 are wrapped in plastic body, with usual mirror viewfinder (not prism) and without small LCD on the top like D90 or D7000. Nikon D5100 can be purchased only the body alone or completed with kit lens 18-55mm VR.

In addition, there is a Live View lever  which is located next to the mode dial and the availability of Night Vision feature. This feature is similar with raising ISO to 102400 so it can catch very dim light.

Nikon D5100 features and specifications:

• 16 MP CMOS DX sensor (as on D7000)
• Normal ISO 100-6400, ISO can be raised to 25600 (as on D7000)
• fps burst (still same as D5000)
• Full HD movie 1080p, 30 fps, AVCHD H.264 (as on D7000)
• Auto focus when recording video, there is AF-F mode
• Vari-angle 3-inch LCD 921k pixels resolution (resolution such as D7000)
• AF 11 point (still same as D5000)
• 420 pixel RGB (still same as D5000)
• Quiet shutter mode (as on D7000)
• Bracketing and in camera HDR  (not in D3100)
• EXPEED 2 14-bit NEF (as D7000)
• Kit AF-S 18-55mm VR (optional)