Nikon says let the camera do the work with the new D5100
Nikon's new D5100 is set to give Canon's EOS- 600D a run for its money
Set to ship in just over two weeks and positioned to challenge Canon's EOS-600D, Nikon's new D5100 replaces the chart-topping D5000 and benefits from numerous improvements and enhancements, including being 10% lighter. The most noticeable change is the re-positioning of the hinge for the articulating screen to the side of the camera instead of the base. There are seven image effects modes, following the trend for 'art filters' and they can be used when recording videos too. Talking of video, the D5100 can record in full HD (1080 resolution) at 24, 25 and 30p frame rates for up to 20 minutes. A pleasant surprise is the inclusion of a port for an external stereo microphone and Nikon has also launched such a mic today, the ME-1.
At long last Nikon has put the hinge for the D5100's articulating screen in the right place.
Probably the most visible change in the D5100 over its predecessor is the new 921K dot 3 inch articulating screen that now hinges from the side of the body instead of the base of the camera as was the arrangement with the D5000.
I never did understand the logic of placing the hinge at the bottom of the camera but few reviewers seemed to comment on this when testing the D5000. Naturally, Nikon staff are more than happy to admit, now, that a side-hinged screen is superior. It's more natural, and more familiar to video camera users. It's better to use faced forward for self-portraits and, of course, when used on a tripod.
Seven new effects modes get their own position on the D5100's mode dial. They are selective colour (you can choose to only display one colour), miniature effect (tilt/shift style), colour sketch, mono night vision (up to 102400 ISO), silhouette, high key, and low key (chiaroscuro effect). All effects, or art filters if you like, can be used in video mode as well, but apparently you can't record a RAW file when using effects modes in still mode. Let's not forget that this camera is aimed at the masses, not just at photographers with experience, so the camera incorporates menus and context-sensitive aids to hold your hand.
There are some interesting new image effects accessible from the mode dial and they also work for videos.
Some detail changes to the control layout are revealed with the D5100; there is a new dedicated video record button on the top-plate just below the shutter release, and the live view mode switch is now a lever that extends from under the mode dial, so you don't have to look at the back of the camera to find a button.
More good news is that the D5100 gets the same 9-point AF system and 16.2 megapixel APS-C sensor as the D7000. Meanwhile, Active D-Lighting is featured, as is an 'iAuto' mode that automatically evaluates the scene and selects an appropriate scene mode. There is also a single-action in-camera HDR mode that takes two shots and blends and processes the images to produce dramatic HDR results.
Further underlying a key theme of the D5100; let the camera do the work, you can make quite sophisticated edits to both images and videos using in-camera controls and options.
Naturally, there is a HDMI TV port and CEC compatibility for most new TVs means you should be able to use the TV remote to control camera playback.
With its full HD video recording capability the D5100 deserves a decent external stereo microphone and Nikon thinks it's the new ME-1
Finally, there's the ME-1 stereo microphone, which has been developed specifically for the D5100, but can also be used with other DSLRs via its hot shoe mount and standard 3.5mm jack lead. the microphone is isolated from the camera body via a flexible rubberised mount to prevent mechanical noise and vibration being transmitted from the camera.
Nikon UK point out that the D5000, which I think was a flawed design, has frequently topped the UK sales charts. The D5100 looks - on paper at least - to be a much better design, and is sure to keep Canon and other rivals on their toes.
Last of all, a word about the quake and tsunami disaster in Japan. Nikon says that it's still affected by unreliable power and some residual issues at some of its facilities in Japan, but the D5100 is manufactured in Thailand and many components are sourced outside of Japan too, so it doesn't seem likely that there will be shortages of the D5100 because of the quake.
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