Entry-level bargains

Nikon D5100 with 18-55mm VR lens

UPON its release in 2011, the Nikon D5100 was positioned as an upper entry-level DSLR for those looking for something a little more advanced than the more basic D3100. While the D5100 undoubtedly shows its age now in terms of its core hardware, it remains a practical and easy-to- use camera that’s capable of great image quality. Better still, while the D5100 and 18-55mm kit lens package would have cost around £750 at the time of its launch, second-hand camera bodies in ‘good’ condition can now be picked up for as little as £109 from the likes of MPB.com and other reputable second-hand retailers. Add an 18-55mm kit zoom, and you’ll still get plenty of change from £250, making it highly affordable and great value.

The D5100 is built around a 16.2MP APS- C CMOS sensor and Nikon’s EXPEED 2 image processor – the same components found inside the much more advanced (and considerably more expensive) D7000 that was also released in 2011 and went on to win numerous ‘camera of the year’ awards. The point we’re trying to make here is that while the D5100’s 16MP resolution might seem a little lacking compared to the 24MP APS- C sensors that are common to many contemporary DSLRs (including the D5100’s direct descendant – the D5600), the overall image quality is still very good.

Autofocus and metering

Elsewhere, the D5100 is equipped with an 11-point phase- detection AF module, arranged in a diamond formation across the viewfinder with one cross-type sensor in the middle. Again, while this might seem a little dated next to the 39-point system offered by the D5600, the D5100’s autofocus system is still effective and fast enough in most situations. One other thing to bear in mind is that the D5100 doesn’t have a built-in AF motor, which means only AF-S and AF- I lenses will focus automatically when mounted to it – other lens types will need to be manually focused. In addition, the D5100 isn’t compatible with Nikon’s recent AF- P lens range either.

Metering is handled via a 420-pixel metering system, which we found to produce consistently accurate results. Overall image quality is very good, with the D5100 providing a range of JPEG sizes and quality settings, alongside a range of individual

Picture Control settings that determine how your images are processed in- camera. More-advanced users can, of course, record images as lossless 14-bit raw files and process them to their own specifications in Lightroom or similar.

Screen and viewfinder

In terms of shooting modes the D5100 comes equipped with the full PASM quartet giving users the choice of Program, Aperturepriority, Shutter-priority and Manual modes. Point-and-shoot duties are catered for via a fully Automatic mode, backed up by a selection of individual Scene modes. Last but not least the D5100 also offers a range of digital filters that can be applied to give your images a unique look – you’ll find these under the Effects option on the mode dial.

The back of the camera is equipped with a vari-angle 3in/921k- dot LCD display that is hinged at the side. This enables it to be pulled away by 180° and rotated through 270°, allowing users to shoot from awkward angles or to capture self-portraits with. Above this is a pentamirror-style optical viewfinder that provides 95% scene coverage at a magnification of 0.78x.

In terms of size, the D5100 is impressively small for a DSLR and at 560g with the battery installed isn’t particularly heavy either. Build quality is very much what you might expect of an entry-level DSLR. Like most entry-level and mid-range Nikon DSLRs, the D5100’s outer polycarbonate shell has been given a mottled finish so as to give it a more premium metallic look. While the outer shell provides ample protection against the occasional gentle knock, it obviously isn’t as robust as the magnesium alloy cages found on more expensive Nikon DSLRs. The D5100 isn’t weather-proofed either, so you’ll need to take care when using it near water or in wet weather. For beginners starting out and those who’d like the option of full manual control, the D5100 offers a lot of bang for your buck.