ABOUT THE D5100 NIKON CAMERA, SPECS AND DETAILSThe D5100
incorporates an amazing array of special effects for use when taking
still pictures or recording D-Movie Full HD movies. Selective Color
isolates color within the scene, capture details in places too dark
for your own eyes using Night Vision, create bright, glowing images
filled with atmosphere with High Key, emphasize the mood of a scene
using Low Key, Miniature Effect makes a scene look like a miniature
scale model and Color Sketch creates color outlines of the subject that
are played back as a series of stills in a slide show.
The arrival of the D5100 appears to signal the completion of Nikons
refresh of its non-pro DSLR lineup. Its feature set and pricing mean
that it sits very comfortably between the beginner-friendly D3100 and
the high-end D7000 - it's clearly aimed to attract the attention of
enthusiast photographers without cannibalizing sales of is sister
models. A camera maker can judge the success of its market positioning
by seeing how many people are wondering 'which model is right for me?'
on discussion forums - and we think a D3100/D5100/D7000 progression
would minimize such doubts. The official line is that the D90 maintains
its position in the range, but both its naming and overlap with other
models suggest that its role is now more one of historical interest than
future significance.
The D5100 has a very similar 16.2MP CMOS sensor to the excellent
one seen in the D7000 but, understandably, loses out on that camera's
high-end build and feature-set. So there's no wireless flash control,
magnesium alloy build or 39-point AF system but the underlying image
quality is all but identical.
As has become standard for a Nikon at this price point, the D5100
offers a single control dial, pentamirror viewfinder and no built-in
autofocus motor. However, it gains 1080p video capability (at 30, 25 or
24fps), saved using the efficient H.264/AVC codec, and a 920,000 dot
fully articulated LCD panel to help shoot it. These are both significant
gains over its predecessor the D5000, and the improvements extend to
the D5100 having smaller, neater construction and a more conventional
side-mounted hinge for that LCD.
These changes resolve two rather awkward aspects of Nikon's
existing lineup: if the D5100 and D7000 end up being neighboring models
it will avoid the inelegant overlap that existed between the D5000 and
D90. It also ensures a more elegant appearance to the models themselves
(the D5000 was many things, but pretty wasn't one of them).