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.

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

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...

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

The position of a mid-range consumer camera can be hard to get excited about; it's not the cheapest, nor is it the most advanced in its range, and yet it fills a useful role. Rather than just slotting in quietly between the entry-level D3100 and the more advanced D7000, the new Nikon D5100 offers...

The latest addition to Nikon's updated consumer SLR range is the D5100, which slots into the series above the entry-level D3100 and below the higher-end D7000.

Noise handled very well up to 3200 ISO; Good general responsiveness (on/off; photo saving; Good build quality and swivel screen; 1080p HD video mode; Fun creative filters

Autofocus too slow in Live View and video modes; Automatic white balance doesn't work very well under tungsten light; Controls and menus could be better; Mono sound in video mode; Built-in flash isn't compatible with wireless slave flash units

Nikon started the D-SLR video recording revolution back in 2008 with the Nikon D90 ($899.95, 4 stars). Thanks to its large, APS-C image sensor, with 370mm2 surface area, the video captured by this digital camera and its successors was so good that pros have used Nikon D-SLRs to film commercials and...

Superb still image and video quality; Excellent low-light shooting capability; Sharp, articulating LCD; Continuous autofocus during Live View shooting; Lots of useful in-camera effects

Continuous autofocus in Live View is slow; Some lens noise when autofocusing in video mode; No 720p60 video recording

A rock solid performer, and more than a match for most other cameras in its class

Fantastic color performance; Controls are well placed and easily used; Playback options are information rich

No internal focus motor limits lens choice

I've used this camera to capture my friend's daughter at the park while playing and it was awesome. Used the sport setting for action shots. I have used the editing features within the camera to do selective color which is my favorite feature. I love this camera!

Easy To Use; Fast / Accurate Auto-Focus; Fast Shutter Speed; Good Image Quality; Good Image Stabilization; High ISO Performance; Large Clear LCD; Tilt /Swivel LCD

Noisy At High ISO

The latest addition to Nikon's expansive DSLR line, the 16 megapixel D5100, fits neatly between the entry-level D3100 ($700 with kit lens) and the more sophisticated D7000 ($1200 body only).

Well-rounded feature set; Top-notch image quality (still and video; Excellent low-light/high-ISO performance; New special effects; Full time AF in Live View and video

No dedicated ISO button; Requires AF-S lens with built-in AF motor; Live View and video AF aren't lightning-fast; Special Effects parameters must be set in Live View