This 16.2 megapixel camera uses the same sensor as the more expensive D7000. The kit includes a Nikkor 18–55mm lens with vibration reduction. The swivelling LCD is high resolution. Movie mode is full HD at 30fps and it has an external microphone socket.

Image quality is excellent; The kit lens, though looking and feeling as though it has been made down to a price, is nevertheless quick to focus and produces sharp, high resolution images; The camera sits well in the hand and is responsive; Auto exposure is remarkably consistent

The penny-pinching omission of an auto-focus drive from the camera body limits the range of lenses that can be used in AF mode; This has been an annoying characteristic of entry level Nikons in the past; Sony, Pentax and Canon don't skimp in this way, why does Nikon

If you are stepping up from an older Nikon DSLR, or have film-era Nikon lenses and don't mind focusing manually with them, the D5100 should please you. Its resolution boost over the D5000, better video capture, and articulated LCD screen make it a great imaging tool well adapted to a wide array of...

After a quick first look, we are now able to bring you a full review of the Nikon D5100, which is the best entry level DSLR ever from Nikon.

Hi-resolution articulated monitor; Easy to use; Much improved live view AF

Special Effects a bit limited; No wireless flash control/DoF preview

Nikon's D5100 DSLR arrives just a year after the release of the D5000 it replaces, offering higher resolution, improved video performance and a more adjustable LCD monitor. Slightly smaller and lighter than its predecessor, it's the first Nikon DSLR with built-in special effects.

Retailing for approximately ￡670 body only or ￡750 with an 18-55mm VR kit lens, the Nikon D5100 replaces the D5000 as Nikon's advanced entry-level DSLR. Sitting below the enthusiast-level D7000 but above the bare-bones D3100, the D5100 takes some advanced specifications from the former and mixes...

Hi-resolution articulated monitor; Easy to use; Much improved live view AF

Special Effects a bit limited; No wireless flash control/DoF preview

May 8th. Nikon recently released the Nikon D5100 SLR, which serves an update to the Nikon D5000. The Nikon D5100 is designed to appeal to both novice and hobby photographers by offering a wide range of both automatic options and extended manual creative control.

The Nikon D5100 is the company's latest 'upper-entry-level' DSLR aimed at beginners or those wanting a step-up from a basic budget model. Announced in April 2011, it comes exactly two years after its predecessor, the popular D5000.

Quality images with good balance of detail and noise; Articulated screen with 3in / 920k panel; HD video at multiple fps with mic input and continuous AF; Fun EFFECTS mode; some of which can be applied to video

Continuous movie AF can be visibly and audibly distracting; UI slow for experienced owners; No Live Histogram in Live View; No motor to autofocus older (non AF-S) lenses

Conceptually, the D5100 perfectly fills the gap in Nikon's line-up between the entry-level D3100 and the much more enthusiast-orientated D7000 - marrying the ease-of-use of the former with the image quality of the latter.

Excellent image quality; Unintimidating interface; but with plenty of manual control; Articulated; high-res LCD screen; Sophisticated AF system for the price; Easy manual selection of off-center AF points; Unusually fast Live View AF for a low-end DSLR (but still relatively slow compared to...

Sub-optimal placement of some second-tier controls (like live view switch; Movie shooting button 'orphaned' from live view switch; Buggy Live View / Movie Mode (movies aren't necessarily recorded at set aperture; No live histogram in live view; AF still a little sluggish in live view mode; full-time...

The Nikon D5100 is a new 16.2 megapixel DSLR camera that can record Full HD movies at 1920x1280 pixels / 25fps with stereo sound. A high-resolution 3-inch vari-angle LCD monitor makes it easier to compose your shots from difficult angles, while the extensive ISO range of 100-25600 should cope with...

How well does the Nikon D5100 walk the line between beginner and mid-level enthusiasts? The What Digital Camera Nikon D5100 review finds out…

Good image quality; improved live view mode; responsive AF; impressive movie options

Non-customiseable Effects; no AF-point lock; no remote commander; no DoF preview