New Nikon D5100 digital SLR debuts
Beginner friendly upgrade of the Nikon D5000 announced in the D5100 DSLR
Nikon has unveiled its latest digital SLR, an update of the existing D5000 model, logically named the D5100.
Sworn to secrecy until today, Best4Reviews.com can now reveal that the new Nikon D5100 model is smaller and lighter than the D5000 by 10%. It is also thinner than the D5000 by 17%.
Offering a 16.2 megapixel resolution, the D5100 uses the same sensor as the Nikon D7000 and is primarily targeting the family market and users between 25 and 45, which means that, just like the Nikon D3100 that sits just below it in the manufacturer's range, there are plenty of user friendly features.
These include an improved grip over the Nikon D5000, featuring 'elastic rubber material'. The D5100 also has a 'horizontal opening' vari angle LCD, three inches in size and boasting a high 920k dot resolution.
As on its recent Nikon Coolpix S9100 compact camera, the D5100 debuts the inclusion of special 'effects' mode among the D5100's shooting modes, and included on its chunky top plate dial. Among these seven JPEG only options are a night vision mode. Users can shoot up to an equivalent ISO102,400 in black and white - useful for photographing skittish wildlife perhaps.
Otherwise, regular light sensitivity options (in colour) can be extended to an equivalent ISO25,600. There's additionally an in-camera HDR (High Dynamic Range) mode.
We also get improved movie functionality, with Full HD 1080p capture now offered, with a choice of fame rates: 24fps, 25fps, or 30fps. There is a dedicated movie record button and up to 20 minutes of 'movie' clips can be successively recorded.
For users who do just want to point and shoot, a 'scene auto select' mode is offered, which as it sounds selects the most appropriate camera settings for most given scenes or subjects.
Additional headline spec includes 11 point AF, its Live View switch has been moved from the back plate to the top plate, where it ergonomically encircles the shooting mode dial, and we get faster AF in Live View too.
Image sensor cleaning is also built in and so is HDMI connectivity for hooking the D5100 up to a flat panel TV or monitor. The DSLR weighs 560g with battery and SD card inserted.
UK pricing is a suggested £669.99 body only, or its £779.99 if you'd like the 18-55mm VR standard zoom as well.
Tying in with the release of the D5100, Nikon also announced a new compatible stereo microphone in the ME-1, which clips onto the Nikon D5100 via its vacant hotshoe. Designed specifically for Nikon DSLRs, suggested pricing is £119.99. Obviously Nikon Speedlight accessory flashguns can also be used with the D5100.
In related news, Nikon claimed at the D5100's UK launch that its D3100 has been the UK's number one best selling digital SLR for five out of the preceding eight weeks, with the current D5000 also in the top three.
