what are your thoughts on the Nikon D5100?

greybeard · May 4, 2013

I used a D5100 for about 8 months before getting my D7000 and image wise there is not much if any difference. It is just a stripped down D7000. Where the D7000 has a dedicated button and second wheel for many functions, you have to dive into the menu of the D5100 to do the same thing. The D7000 does have a few functions like flash commander that aren't on the D5100 but most of the D7000 functions can be duplicated with the D5100, just not as easily.

StandingBear1983 · May 4, 2013

I have also the D5100, and I'm happy with it you got nothing to worry about OP, though after 2 years of having it you kind of outgrow it naturally, but it will be always a great secondary video camera for me when i get the D800 soon.

These days when the D7000 is going down in price very fast because of the coming of the new D7100, i would get the D7000 and not the D5100...its more bang for the buck these days...and it will not limit you after you learned all the basics, I say consider the D7000 at this time.

roxanadiaz057 · Jun 19, 2013

You are taking D5100 is a nice choice. Following are the features of this camera :

CMOS Image Sensor
16.2 Megapixel Camera
Full HD Recording
3 inch Low-temperature Polysilicon TFT LCD Screen
ISO 100 - ISO 6400 Sensitivity
Focal Length: 18 - 55 These features are useful for clicking beautiful photos.So go for D5100

yioties · Jun 20, 2013

When I outgrow the D5100 I will upgrade to a d600 and give my D5100 to my wife. I still believe it's a great camera for the money you are going to spend. For the price of a d7100 (body) you can get a d5100 with a kit lens a 50 or 35 1.8g and a 55-200 vr and still have money left over!

gregtallica · Jun 20, 2013

greybeard said:
I used a D5100 for about 8 months before getting my D7000 and image wise there is not much if any difference. It is just a stripped down D7000. Where the D7000 has a dedicated button and second wheel for many functions, you have to dive into the menu of the D5100 to do the same thing. The D7000 does have a few functions like flash commander that aren't on the D5100 but most of the D7000 functions can be duplicated with the D5100, just not as easily.

This is basically my experience. Girlfriend owns the D5100, used that for a long time. Upon getting the 7000, I can't, well, I prefer not to use the 5100. It's little in my hands, it's missing all the buttons that my fingers frequent. It's missing all the options that makes the D7000 a "big boy" camera. The 5100 to me now just feels like a toy designed to give teenage girls a tool they can be creative with.

That said, image wise it's a great camera. The images you can get from the camera are quite impressive. If you have the eye for the shot, you're not going to be limited in any way other than "convenience."

Tinderbox (UK) · Jun 20, 2013

I did not realize that the D3200 and D5100 both only have 1 cross type auto focus point, when the D5200 has 9, quite a difference.

John.

Ballistics · Jun 20, 2013

yioties said:
When I outgrow the D5100 I will upgrade to a d600 and give my D5100 to my wife. I still believe it's a great camera for the money you are going to spend. For the price of a d7100 (body) you can get a d5100 with a kit lens a 50 or 35 1.8g and a 55-200 vr and still have money left over!

What are you outgrowing exactly? These aren't sports bikes.

My D800 allows me to control my exposure easier than the D5100, and take better photos in the process. So in essence, the D5100 should be for the expert and the D800 should be the beginner camera.

yioties · Jun 20, 2013

By the way i have outgrown 3 motorcycles so far. A Suzuki katana 600, a honda cbr 900, a R3 and now I'm riding a R1!

McRich · Jun 24, 2013

I upgraded from D3000 to D5100. It is a day and night different.
I can do tilt screen and it has a much higher ISO than D3000.
D5100 has a remote control jack, D3000 doesn't have one
The image preview is much quicker than D3000.
It has auto bracketing, it only allows 3 exposures, but it is better than changing the shutter speed manually.
It can record video, but I don't use it

TonyMontanaSlot · Jun 24, 2013

Outstanding performance/image quality. Handling and ergonomics could have been better. Great camera for the price!

greybeard said:
That said, image wise it's a great camera. The images you can get from the camera are quite impressive. If you have the eye for the shot, you're not going to be limited in any way other than "convenience."

Yes, sir!