Nikon D5100 Digital SLR Announced

[Photo-John]

Nikon announced the new D5100 digital SLR tonight. It's got the same sensor as the D7000 (at least the specs look the same) as well as a new stereo mic input and tilt-swivel LCD display. Anyone who wanted D7000 performance for under $1000 - now you can have it:

Nikon Announces D5100 Digital SLR >>

So what do you think? Anyone in the market for the D5100? I really liked the D5000 when it was announced and this looks closer to the D7000 than the D5000 did to the D90.

[n8]

Just saw the announcement for this on engaget. An articulating screen would certainly be nice. A "pro" lensbaby is also coming out.

[volks]

This is a great addition to the D3100 and the D7000.
Just bought the D7000 a little while ago as the D3100 just seemed a bit too small and light.

[rkuramoto]

This is a great addition to the D3100 and the D7000.
Just bought the D7000 a little while ago as the D3100 just seemed a bit too small and light.

Why is small and light a bad thing?

So what does the D5100 offer that the D3100 and D7000? I'm hoping they improved the video features.

[volks]

I did not say that small and light is a bad thing. Just something to check out before buying, that's all.
A small and light camera may not feel right to someone when a large heavy lens is mounted on it, like a 70-300 lens.
If it feels good in your hands, I am certain that you will be very pleased with it.

[Photo-John]

I think small and light vs big and heavy are going to depend on the person. Since I do a lot of ski and mountain bike photography, small and light are always a good thing for me. How a lens feels on a camera doesn't matter at all to me - performance is what counts.

The main improvement the D5100 offers over the previous cameras is the tilt-swivel LCD. It also has the same sensor as the D7000 so it should gave you the same image quality and video performance for a few hundred dollars less. That seems like a pretty god deal to me.

[GB1]

I think Nikon might be putting out too many cameras with very little difference between them.

[Photo-John]

I think Nikon might be putting out too many cameras with very little difference between them.

I don't think so. The D3100 has lower resolution than the D5100 and the D7000. The D7000 has a better build, more speed and better auto focus, and the D5100 splits the difference with the same sensor but less performance than the D7000. They're offering different price points and feature sets for different users. It makes perfect sense to me.

[pyrobug]

I got the D5100 a few weeks ago and just love it. I am new to all this so I do hope I don't outgrow this starter camera too quickly.

[shiny]

do you have any new products
?

[fotomatix]

I got the D5100 a few weeks ago and just love it. I am new to all this so I do hope I don't outgrow this starter camera too quickly.

Just got mine today. I really wanted the D7000, but could only afford the D5100. Importantly, it has the the same sensor. :thumbsup:

[AgingEyes]

[snip]The D7000 has a better build, more speed and better auto focus, and the D5100 splits the difference with the same sensor but less performance than the D7000. They're offering different price points and feature sets for different users. It makes perfect sense to me.

I agree. I'd recommend a D5100 over a D7000 to user who's not seriously into photography but still wants a good performance camera. The D5100 is just a more sensible choice to those users.

[fotomatix]

I agree. I'd recommend a D5100 over a D7000 to user who's not seriously into photography but still wants a good performance camera. The D5100 is just a more sensible choice to those users.

Well I'm very serious about getting more into it. I want to get better. This is an excellent 'bridge' to take me to the mid range types like the D7000 or even the new Sony A77. Just a question of time (young kids) and money.

I'll get there in a few years.

[AgingEyes]

Well I'm very serious about getting more into it. I want to get better. This is an excellent 'bridge' to take me to the mid range types like the D7000 or even the new Sony A77. Just a question of time (young kids) and money.

I'll get there in a few years.

Well, I wasn't responding to your situation

Anyhow, if you're seriously into photography, then you should jump right into something like a D7000 or better. Back then when film still ruled the days, once I decided to learn about photography, I bought myself a SLR. Before that, I had zero camera (not even an idiot-proof point-and-shoot camera). IMO, it's a waste of time and money forl beginners to start with a "simple" camera (if there's such a thing...actually they are). You're going to learn the same things anyway about photography no matter which camera you use. So why not just get one that gives you a chance to do more if you can afford it (may not be your case I know)? After all, the basics about photography are not that complicated. Really. No kidding