While it may have been more then a year since it was released, the Nikon D5100 is one of the company’s best entry-level DSLRs. A 16.2 megapixel DX format sensor, kit 18-55mm lens, full 1080p HD video recording with autofocus at 24, 25 or 30fps, the famous 3-inch 920,000-dot articulating LCD display, continuous shooting at 4 frames-per-second, option for RAW shooting, and Nikon’s EXPEED 2 image processor. It’s been great to use for the past few weeks, with image quality that is superb, compared to even new DSLR camera systems from early to mid-2012. The review? Available after the jump!
Price as Reviewed: $849.95 at Nikon, $600 at Amazon
What Using It Is Like
The Nikon D5100 has a classic Nikon aesthetic: hard plastic, red flare, well-pronounced edges, and comfortable to hold in the hand. Extremely snappy autofocus when taking photos, plus the sharp and well-contrasted images that come out in the end, makes the D5100 a no-brainer for shooting your next trip, or to help a starting photographer learn how to use a DSLR. Battery life is usually above 200 photos.
Nikon D5100 Glamour Shots
As for the software interface: it’s rather refreshing. The aperture and shutter speed can be seen intelligently via the 3-inch LCD, which swivels around 270 degrees, and because of that, can make some very creative angles. By default, Nikon includes its trademark yellow neck strap for the D5100, as well as a wall charger. What we’re trying to say here simply, is that the D5100 is a well-rounded DSLR camera, comes with the right basic equipment, and does a fantastic job in the process, all while remaining rather affordable.– depending on where you’d buy the D5100.
How’s The Photo And Video?
How does a year-old DSLR’s content appear? Glad you asked. Photo and video quality is very satisfactory. Below is a gallery of shots taken on the D5100 in several settings (both in the real-world, and in the camera’s fast switching dials for photos). And below that? A short, but full HD video.
Nikon D5100 Test Shots Gallery
Conclusion
Score: 8.5/10
The D5100 may be reaching the end of its shelf life, but the fact of the matter is that it’s a Nikon camera, and Nikon cameras last and perform astoundingly. Should you get it? There a many newer options out there available for the cutting-edge photographer, but there’s nothing wrong with the D5100, unless you’re looking for full-frame sensors — and in that case, be prepared to spend a couple hundred more than you would on the D5100. It’s a good one, this camera.
