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Nikon 25476 D5100 16.2MP Digital SLR Camera Body — main product image
Nikon

Nikon 25476 D5100 16.2MP Digital SLR Camera Body

★★★★★4.5 (319 reviews)
1080p2MP2 MPHDR

Flip the screen, change the angle — the D5100's vari-angle LCD opens up compositions that fixed-screen DSLRs simply can't reach.

$589.99*
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Jun 04, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change.

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Overview

The Nikon D5100 was built for photographers stepping up from point-and-shoot or entry DSLR work who want meaningful creative control without the weight or cost of a prosumer body. Its 16.2MP DX-format CMOS sensor produces files with genuine tonal depth — portrait work shows smooth skin gradations, and landscape shots resolve fine texture in foliage and stone with natural, not oversaturated, color rendition. The vari-angle LCD is the defining feature for working photographers: it opens up compositions that a fixed screen simply closes off, from shooting above a crowd at events to getting the camera inches off the ground for environmental portraiture.

Build quality is prosumer-adjacent but unmistakably consumer-tier — the polycarbonate body is light, which pays dividends on long walking days, but offers no weather sealing, a consideration for outdoor and event work in unpredictable conditions. The control layout places key exposure settings within reach, though the single command dial means navigating aperture and shutter in manual mode requires an extra button press compared to dual-dial bodies. The D5100 remains a strong choice for a second body or a dedicated video camera in a Nikon kit, where the full Nikkor lens lineup and Nikon's color science are already established workflows.

Key Features

3-inch, 921,000-dot Super-Density horizontal type Vari-Angle LCD Monitor

In-camera Special Effects Mode and HDR (High Dynamic Range)

Stunning Full 1080p HD Movies with Full Time Autofocus

High Resolution 16.2 MP DX-format CMOS sensor

Includes rechargeable Li-ion battery, quick charger, rubber eyecup, USB cable, AV cable, camera strap, eyepiece cap, and shoe cover

Specifications

Sensor
16.2MP DX-format CMOS
LCD Monitor
3-inch, 921,000-dot vari-angle
Video
Full HD 1080p (D-Movie)
ISO Range
100–6400 (expandable)
Continuous Shooting
Approx. 4fps
AF System
11-point with 3D-tracking
Lens Mount
Nikon F-mount
Special Effects
In-camera Effects Mode, HDR
Battery
Rechargeable Li-ion (EN-EL14)

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • The 16.2MP DX sensor renders fine detail in product and portrait work with natural color that holds up well in standard lighting conditions.
  • The vari-angle LCD makes low-angle and overhead compositions achievable without a tripod-mounted mirror box or external monitor.
  • In-camera HDR mode blends exposures for high-contrast scenes — useful for real estate and architectural work where bracketing in post would otherwise be required.
  • Full HD 1080p video with continuous autofocus makes it capable as a B-camera for event video work at an entry price.
  • The compact, lightweight body reduces fatigue during all-day event or travel shoots compared to heavier APS-C bodies.

👎 Cons

  • The 11-point AF system with a single cross-type sensor struggles to lock in low-contrast or low-light environments where a more dense AF array would track reliably.
  • No built-in autofocus motor means a large portion of the Nikon AF lens catalog — including many excellent older primes — will only work in manual focus.
  • Continuous shooting at approximately 4fps is limiting for sports or wildlife; bursts feel sluggish compared to mid-tier bodies in the same era.
  • The pop-up flash produces flat, harsh light and no wireless Commander capability, requiring an external Speedlight for any serious flash work.
  • Buffer depth is shallow — extended RAW bursts will slow noticeably as the camera writes to card.

Frequently Asked Questions

The D5100 uses Nikon's F-mount, which means it accepts a vast range of AF-S and AF-D Nikkor lenses. Keep in mind the body lacks a built-in autofocus motor, so older AF (screw-drive) lenses will not autofocus — you'll need AF-S lenses for AF to function.
It pivots out and rotates 180°, which is genuinely useful for low-angle street work, overhead group shots, or self-recording video — situations where putting your eye to the viewfinder isn't practical. Live View AF is slower than phase-detect, so it's best used for composed, deliberate shooting rather than action.
The D5100 is rated ISO 100–6400, expandable to Hi-1 (12800). In practice, ISO 800–1600 produces clean files; ISO 3200 is usable with some noise reduction in post. Beyond that, luminance noise becomes noticeable in shadow areas.
Yes, the D5100 shoots 14-bit NEF (RAW) files, which give you significant latitude for exposure and white balance recovery in Lightroom or Capture NX-D. Tethering via USB is supported, though it requires third-party software like Lightroom's tethered capture or DigiCamControl on Windows.
Yes, a pop-up Speedlight is built in. The maximum flash sync speed is 1/200s. The hot shoe accepts any Nikon i-TTL Speedlight, and the Commander mode on some higher-end Nikon flashes can trigger the D5100 off-camera — though the D5100 itself cannot act as a Commander.

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