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Nikon has never disappointed its customers when it comes to quality and reliability.
This Nikon D5100 camera is no less than the other products from the company. With 16.2 megapixels, this camera is a great replacement for D5000 as an advanced entry-level DSLR.
It is equipped with some advanced specifications when compared to the former model.
It employs a high-resolution LCD screen to make your shooting easier, regardless of any angle. Additionally, the extensive ISO range of 100-25600 is capable of coping with all lighting conditions like a pro. Moreover, the incorporation of active-D lighting functionality enhances the details of the subject in shadows and highlights.
- This refurbished product is tested and certified to look and work like new. The refurbishing process...
Contents
Nikon D5100 16.2MP Digital SLR Camera & 18-55mm VR Lens

PROS
- Lightweight
- Easy to Use
- Budget-Friendly
- Sturdy Construction
- High-Quality Results
CONS
- Limited Special Effects
- Poor Battery Performance
Main Features
A powerhouse of features, Nikon D5100 exhibits a great set of exceptional features. Let’s have a look.
Lightweight Yet Durable
Talking about the design first, this camera is manufactured from heavy-duty plastic, just like other entry-level DSLRs. The plastic is tough enough to withstand some beating. There would be fewer chances of any scratches on the body. One of the major advantages of this plastic body is that the camera becomes extremely lightweight. It weighs only 560 grams and, therefore, is a highly portable model.
High-Resolution LCD
It comes with a 3-inch LCD screen that is simply gorgeous and can be articulated according to your desire. This high-resolution screen provides a clear view of your shots and helps you achieve your photography goals. With a new processing engine, this Nikon camera is capable of delivering maximum continuous shooting speeds of 4fps, which is very impressive.
Higher ISO
The Nikon D5100 offers a great sensitivity range stretching from 100-6400 in a standard model. This range can be extended to a maximum value of ISO 25,600, which helps you take top-notch images. When it comes to handling, Nikon D5100 works great with light lenses, such as an 18-55mm lens. However, it does not provide great results with lenses heavier than the camera body.
HD Videos
Coming to the video standards, this camera provides full 1080p HD videos and also includes a microphone jack to improve the overall experience. This feature helps you record HD movies whenever you want during an event and your adventures. The high resolution 16.2 megapixels DX-format CMOS sensor adds to the quality of this camera. It employs a compact battery that runs for about 660+ shots.
Additional Features
This camera offers multiple special effects, including selective color, miniature effect, night vision, and silhouette to make some worthy shots. All these effects can help you achieve beautiful stills and videos. Another striking quality of this amazing model is the fast shutter speed of up to 1/4000sec.
Pros
Nikon D5100 is undoubtedly a reliable camera and brings multiple advantages to the user. It is incorporated with some flawless features that combine to provide excellent results. In this section, we have tried to summarize the major advantages of this high-end camera. Let’s go through them one by one!
Sturdy Construction
The foremost advantage of this camera is that you don’t have to worry about the additional expenditures of frequent repairing and replacement. Since it is constructed from high-quality plastic, it is capable of withstanding tough conditions easily. There would be no maintenance required at regular intervals. You can use this camera according to your desire to take some memorable shots.
Ease of Use
Another important advantage of this camera is its easy handling. The user-friendly design of this model makes it a popular choice for beginners. There would be less struggle required from the user as the adjustments are easy to make. Thanks to the simple design, there are fewer chances of getting confused while operating the camera.
You just need to adjust the settings according to your desire, and you are ready to go. Moreover, the screen can be articulated at multiple angles and, therefore, allows you to have a clear view of the shot before capturing it. It not only eases the task for you but also improves your photography.
High-Quality Results
The main purpose of upgrading your camera is to get improved photography results. This model is a beast and gives vibrant images in all environments. The picture quality is clear, sharp, and focused. You can create some worthy shots by employing special effects.
It is very versatile and can also be employed for shooting HD videos. Similar to the stills, HD movies can be recorded with a variety of special effects to ensure top-notch performance.
Budget-Friendly
It is a fact that cameras can get really heavy on your pocket and not everybody can afford to spend tons of money on a new camera. To your surprise, this model enriched with multiple features is pocket-friendly and does not cost you much. It comes with a reasonable price tag, therefore, making it suitable for those on a tight budget.
Lightweight
One of the major advantages of getting this camera is improved portability. The weight of the object greatly impacts its portability. Since the body is manufactured from plastic, this model is very lightweight and does not feel heavy on the backpack. You can easily take this camera around and click some precious shots of your adventures.
Cons
While the Nikon D5100 comes with a number of advantages, there are a few drawbacks to this model as well. These include:
Limited Special Effects
The main drawback of this camera is that it is equipped with a limited number of special effects. While there are multiple cameras on the market that give a great range of effects to capture some flawless shots, this camera does not incorporate enough of them.
A great set of special effects can highly improve the quality of the picture to a great extent. Additionally, it also helps the photographers to take some creative shots. Unfortunately, this camera has fewer special effects when compared to other entry-level cameras of the same range.
Poor Battery Performance
Another major drawback of this camera is that the battery performance is not too impressive. It lets you take only 660 shots, which is relatively less for a reliable DSLR camera. This means you need to charge it frequently in order to continue your photography session.
The battery drains faster, so you need to keep this thing in mind during traveling. It is not suitable if you are going to shoot lots of HDR panoramas during your trip.
What is Nikon D5100 Best For?
A great entry-level camera, the Nikon D5100 is being used for a range of applications. It can be employed by beginners and even professionals to ace the photography session.
Low-Light Shooting
The impressive sensor of this model, in combination with an effective ISO range, gives you perfect results even in low lighting conditions. The Nikon D5100 camera can be used by people to shoot vibrant images, regardless of lighting environments. In all cases, you are going to get beautiful and highly focused images.
Good Noise Profile
This camera is highly useful for capturing some clear and sharp images. With this model onboard, you don’t have to worry about chromatic aberrations and any noise production. There is a perfect balance of colors and brightness to give high-end results.
Moreover, you can use multiple shooting modes in your videos and pictures to make them more attractive.
Suitable For Budget-Conscious People
Since this camera is available at a reasonable price, it is the perfect choice for those who are budget-conscious. It easily fits your budget, and there would be no need to compromise on the quality. This model is equipped with all the essential features that are necessary to make a reliable camera for excellent photography.
What Do I Need To Know Before Buying?
Investing in a new camera can be extremely daunting. Therefore, it is better to keep a few considerations in mind to avoid any regret in the future. This section discusses the major factors that must be considered while making a purchase.
Weight
The weight of the camera is an important factor to consider as it directly affects the portability level. A camera made from plastic is relatively lightweight and can be carried around easily according to your desire. Comparatively, a heavyweight camera is not only difficult to handle but also requires a bit of struggle for portability.
User-Friendly
Another factor to consider while getting your hands on a new camera is to make sure it is user-friendly or not. A user-friendly model is easy to operate and can be handled easily even by beginners. It lets you take some beautiful shots seamlessly.
Cost
Cost is a significant factor when it comes to the DSLR camera. We know that these cameras are generally expensive and can’t be purchased frequently. Therefore, you must look for a model that is accompanied with all essential features and easily fits your budget. Try to prioritize quality over the price in order to make a worthy investment.
Weatherproofing
This is surely the most significant factor when it comes to the quality of the camera. Unfortunately, the Nikon D5100 is not weather-sealed; therefore, you need to be really careful while using this camera in rainy environments.
Bottom Line
The Nikon D5100 is a well-known DSLR camera for its quality, reliability, and versatility. Composed of fine plastic, this model is lightweight and sturdy enough to bear all tough conditions. It is easy to operate and can be used by beginners to enter this field. Moreover, the 16.2 megapixels resolution of this camera ensures sharp and clear images of the subject.
It also includes a large LCD screen that can be articulated to add on to perfection. Although the battery performance is not up to the mark, all other features are reliable enough to make the investment. Overall, it is an efficient and pocket-friendly camera.
People Also Ask
Nikon D5100 is immensely popular among the users and even new customers for providing top-quality images with a good noise profile. However, some people have a few questions regarding the functionality of this model. In this section, we have tried to answer some of the frequently asked queries to ensure a pleasing experience.
What is Better, Nikon D3100 or D5100?
Honestly, D5100 is far better than Nikon D3100, both in terms of sensor technology and advanced features. The Nikon D3100 has a 14.2-megapixel sensor, which is relatively less than the 16.2 megapixels of the Nikon D5100. Additionally, the dynamic range and ISO range of Nikon D5100 are also relatively better. Plus, the screen resolution is also highly impressive.
Does Nikon D5100 Have Auto-focus Motor?
The Nikon D5100 incorporates an auto-focus module to help you achieve high-level auto-focus functionality. However, this model lacks an auto-focus motor, and thus, you can’t change the focus of the lens manually. Still, you can employ the auto-focus module to focus multiple non-AF-S lenses to get the desired results.
What Lens Mount is the Nikon D5100?
One of the finest entry-level DSLR cameras, the Nikon D5100 is basically a single-lens reflex digital camera. This model is DSLR F-mount equipped with AF contacts. It is arguably the first Nikon camera to provide a 1080p video with the finest results. This 16.2 megapixel camera is compatible with more than 300 native F-mount lenses currently available on the market.
Is the Nikon D5100 Full-Frame?
No, Nikon D5100 is not a full-frame camera. It is, in fact, equipped with a Nikon DX-format CMOS sensor. The maximum resolution is 16.2, which is quite efficient in providing quality results even in low lighting conditions. Moreover, the HD quality of the videos with this model can’t be questioned.
Is the Nikon D5100 Waterproof?
No, Nikon D5100 is not water-resistant. It does not have weather-sealed functionality and, therefore, can’t endure harsh weather conditions effectively as compared to other entry-level cameras on the market. Keeping this thing in mind, you need to be really careful about using this model in rainy situations to avoid any damage.