Nikon D5100 preview

Nikon's D5100 LCD monitor allows up to 170-degree viewing angle

Nikon's D5100 LCD monitor allows up to 170-degree viewing angle

Nikon Romania might have jumped the gun a day or so early with the new Nikon D5100, but Nikon has now officially announced its latest digital SLR camera.

All the D5100’s specs are listed below – amongst the ‘greatest hits’ are 16.2 megapixels, LCD monitor allowing up to 170-degree viewing angle, Nikon DX format (23.6 x 15.6 mm) CMOS sensor, and the ability to shoot full HD video at 30 frames per second. Not a bad feature set for an entry-level DSLR.



Also thrown in are a few new tricks, seven special effects settings, including:

  • Selective colour: all colours in an image, except for up to three selected by the photographer, are rendered in black and white.
  • Colour sketch: gives images the effect of having been created by a colour pencil. Vividness of colour and line thickness are adjustable via the LCD monitor.
  • Miniature effect: also known as tilt shift photography. Distant objects appear model-like, edges of the image are blurred, and the colour saturation is increased.

Nikon ME-1 microphone

Nikon D5100 release date and price

At the time of writing no pricing details or release date have been announced for the Nikon D5100 in Australia.

No such delay for the US pricing and release date. The D5100 will be in stores in mid-April. The body only will be US$799.95, and the body and AF-S DX Zoom-NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens package will be US$899.95. The optional accessory ME-1 Stereo Microphone will be US$179.95.

UPDATE 6 APRIL, 2011: Ted’s Cameras have listed the Nikon D5100 on its website today, at the moment a body only price is listed, of $999.oo.

Nikon D5100 specifications

  • Effective pixels: 16.2 megapixel
  • Image sensor: Nikon DX format (23.6 x 15.6 mm) CMOS sensor
  • Image size: 4,928 x 3,264 [L], 3,696 × 2,448 [M], 2,464 × 1,632 [S]; D-movie: 1920 x 1080 / (30fps, 25fps, 24fps), 1280 x 720 / (30fps, 25fps, 24fps), 640 x 424 / (30fps, 25fps)
  • Sensitivity: ISO 100 to 6400 in steps of 1/3, 1/2, or 1 EV, plus HI-0.3, HI-0.5, HI-0.7, HI-1, HI-2 (ISO 25600)
  • File format: EF (12 or 14-bit lossless compressed or compressed RAW), JPEG (Baseline-compliant); MOV movie (H.264/MPEG-4 AVC compression format with Linear PCM sound; Stereo sound with external microphone)
  • Storage media: SD memory card ※1 (SDHC and SDXC compliant)
  • Shooting modes: 1) Single frame, 2) Continuous: 4fps, 3) Self-timer, 4) Delayed remote, 5) Quick-response remote, 6) Silent shuttle release, 7) D-Movie
  • LCD monitor: 3.0″, 921,000-dot, low-temperature polysilicon TFT LCD, allows up to 170-degree viewing angle, horizontal opening type vari-angle LCD
  • Viewfinder: Eye-level pentaprism; built-in diopter adjustment (-1.7 to +0.7m-1)
  • Interface: USB 2.0 (High-speed), Video output, HDMI output (Type C mini-pin connector), new 10-pin remote terminal, Connector for external microphone
  • Picture angle (in 35mm [135] format equivalent): Approx. 1.5x lens focal length
  • Autofocus: TTL phase detection, 11 focus points (1 cross-sensor) by Nikon Multi-CAM 1000 autofocus module; Detection range: -1 to +19 EV (ISO 100 at 20°C/68°F)
  • Special effects modes: selective colour, colour sketch, miniature mode, silhouette, high key, low key and night vision mode
  • GPS: Via GP-1 GPS Unit (optional)
  • Battery life (on a fully charged battery): Approximately 660 shots
  • Weight (without battery, memory card or body cap): 509 grams
  • Quiet shutter-release mode: for shooting in situations in which quieter shutter operation is desired. Infrared receivers for remote control operation on the front and back of the camera enable wireless control over the shutter from both in front of and behind the camera (optional ML-L3 wireless remote control supported).
  • Built-in HDMI-CEC compatibility: enables control over playback of still images and movies using a television’s remote control when the camera is connected to a high-definition TV via the HDMI connector.