Good customs
Compared to other Nikon DSLRs, the D5100 has a slightly different button layout, losing the row of buttons on the left of the screen to make space for the hinges of the vary-angle LCD, but I found the re-design easier to operate with one hand, since most controls are now within reach of the right thumb and index finger. Another significant change to Nikon’s usual design is the addition of an Effects tab in the top shooting mode dial, providing immediate access to the seven different filters on offer.
Information on articulating display takes on some of the function access duties
In line with current trend, the D5100 uses the LCD screen to display camera information but also as a quick menu to change the camera’s main shooting parameters such as ISO, White Balance, Autofocus, Drive and Metering. The only problem I envisage is that the lack of dedicated buttons for essential settings might put off manual and semi-manual users. The full menu is, as all Nikons, comprehensive and easy to navigate but the Menu button has relocated to the left of the viewfinder.
I was quite impressed by the level of customisation offered by the D5100, a clear indication of Nikon wanting to keep a hold on the advanced users market. The many custom settings now get their own menu with separate categories set according to function and easily identifiable through different colours, a simple and effective organisation.
The two most remarkable performance improvements brought by the new Expeed 2 processor are battery life, which in my test even exceeded Nikon’s own reported 660 shots per charge, and Live View autofocus. The Nikon D5100's 11-point AF system offers reliable if not exceptionally fast autofocus coverage across the frame.
With a few exceptions, Nikon DSLRs lack a built-in AF motor so, to a degree, autofocus speed depends on the lens and the 18-55mm provided in the kit is not the fastest zoom. That said, the D5100 does achieve the fastest Live View autofocus I have yet used in a Nikon DSLR – which was a pleasant surprise as my experience of the company’s LV AF systems has found them to be somewhat sluggish.
Next page: Sample Shots
COMMENTS
Avoiding small-sensor lenses is daft
Though I'm a Canon user rather than Nikon, I've used several EF-S lenses and still own a 10-22 which for many years was one of the best rectilinear ltra-wide angle lenses on the market. It is currently worth about 400 quid more than I paid for it.
The higher quality EF-S lenses (the 17-55 springs to mind) are pretty good, but the people who demanded 'full fram or nothing!' would get something like a 17-40L instead which was bigger, heavier, much more expensive, slower and non-stabilised. But hey, one day you'll get a full frame, right?
Until you do, feel free to artificially limit your gear. Me, I'll be taking nice photos with my 'inferior' gear.
D5000 vs D5100
As an owner of a D5000 (with the buttons down the left), I question the location of the delete button the the D5100! sounds like an accident waiting to happen.
The [i] button you use to switch to edit-mode to change your shooting settings has now migrated to top-centerish - in reach of the thumb??
Changing shooting settings on a camera this big is usually a two-handed affair. In fact, its faster to have the [i] on the left... it frees up your right thumb to work the D-pad and wheel to change the settings...
I fail to see how having a side-hinged LCD is "much more useful for video recording"? Why? because it _looks_ more like a handy-cam's side-mounted LCD?
Having seen some pics taken on the D5100 with the selective colour filter... it looks amazing. That is one feature I wish I had on the D5000 :)
Beefing up the LCD was also a good choice by Nikon.
I have to ask...
What on Earth is going on in sample shot #5? My first thought was that someone had missed an NSFW tag from this article. Or have I just revealed too much about the way my mind works?
See this
An informative review is here :
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/D5100/D5100A6.HTM
Re: Avoiding small-sensor lenses is daft
I think you've mis-read my post. I'm not avoiding DX lenses because of a quality issue I'm opting for full frame lenses so that when I do upgrade I won't have to buy the same lenses again, bad choice of word.
