The new Nikon D5100 D-SLR is a compact and lightweight DX-format camera. The body is about two-thirds the size of a D300, recording on SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards. The similarly compact kit lens, an 18-55mm VR, provides good balance, and, along with my Nikon SB-900 Speedlight, all fits neatly into a...

Feature rich, excellent image quality and great low light performance make the Nikon D5100 a strong contender in the sub-$1,000 price range.

External microphone port; Supports optional geotagging; User selectable focus points; Great color reproduction; Strong low light performance

Onboard microphone picks up everything; Dedicated ISO button would be a plus

The DSLR can shoot three photos -- one regular exposure, one slightly higher and one slightly lower -- just in case the regular exposure isn't quite right, then you can choose from several Effects options such as Color Sketch, Miniature, Selective Color or Night Vision.

Terrific image quality; even in low light; Compact and lightweight; Swiveling LCD screen; Shoots 1,080p full HD video with manual control; Exposure bracketing

Less beginner-friendly than Nikon D3200; Sluggish autofocus in Live View and Movie mode

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...

Benefitting from some of the technology developed for Nikon's high-end D7000, this more affordable camera employs a similar 16.2MP sensor and EXPEED 2 processor, but gains a new articulated LCD screen.

minor fixes: 7/28/2011 update: 10/12/2012 Nikon D5100 Review The "Just Right" Model? Add a comment or send Thom feedback on this article. Update: we're more than halfway through the D5100's expected life, with a new version likely in spring 2013.

Film SLR owner who hasn't gone digital; The D5100 has some nice aspects that'll make you very happy, but if you've got a lot of older lenses, you won't be happy; The manual focus ones won't meter and the old autofocus lenses won't focus.

Film SLR owner who hasn't gone digital; The D5100 has some nice aspects that'll make you very happy, but if you've got a lot of older lenses, you won't be happy; The manual focus ones won't meter and the old autofocus lenses won't focus.

GREAT camera. light compact great sensor

The Nikon D5100 is a digital SLR that offers plenty to satisfy the needs of buyers looking to get a big sensor interchangeable lens camera for a relatively affordable price (under a thousand bucks/Euros).

Excellent image quality with low noise and good image traits (sharpness could be improved using good lenses; Small size for an SLR with good ergonomics; Flexible rotating 3 inch high resolution LCD with very good legibility; Great (Above average) battery life; Excellent performance; great burst mode...

Kit lenses produce photos on the soft side (Solution: get better lenses if you want better sharpness; Limited movie mode functions: No manual exposure control; no wind filter; slow AF; Poor autofocus performance in live view mode; Camera is a tad too reliant on menus (needs more function-assigned...

Canon and Nikon have always been powerful competitors. Nikon's D5100 camera may not be among the top-notch devices out there, but it nonetheless offers good performance, image quality and design, all at an affordable price. Find out more about the gadget from our review.

All in all, I absolutely love the Nikon D5100. It's an easy-to-carry and easy-to-use entry-level DSLR. The image quality is impressive and Nikon's growing line of AF-S lenses for use with the D5100 moves it to the top of my recommendation list for new DSLR owners.