This Nikon kit features the compact, affordable, and capable D5100 DX-Format DSLR plus two lenses. Included with the D5100 body are AF-S DX Nikkor18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR and AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED lenses. With the D5100's versatility and the wide range of photography these lenses offer, this kit allows endless creativity for any photographer.

 

Camera Features

 

 

16.2 effective megapixels. The D5100 employs Nikon DX-format CMOS sensor equivalent to that of the higher-class model, D7000. It achieves high resolution reproduction and smooth tonal gradation, as well as a wide ISO sensitivity range of ISO 100 to 6400 that is expandable to Hi 2 (ISO 25600 equivalent), high-speed readout during Live View, and full HD movie recording. The D5100 incorporates image processing engine "EXPEED 2" that is equivalent to that of the higher-class model, D7000. It realizes noise reduction in shooting at high sensitivity range, improved color reproduction, high-speed image processing and efficient energy saving, getting the most out of the performance of the CMOS sensor in shooting still images and movies. Wide sensitivity range of ISO 100 to 6400. It can be raised up to Hi 2 (ISO 25600 equivalent). Even at high ISO setting, sharp images are delivered with minimized noise while maintaining resolution. Setting high ISO sensitivity enables you to shoot at faster shutter speeds and capture pictures without worrying about image degradation caused by camera shake even in low-light situations or when shooting a moving subject. Furthermore, this superior high-sensitivity performance is effective for D-Movie and you can shoot beautiful movies without large-scale lighting equipment even in low-light conditions. 

 

 

Two images taken with one shutter release at varying exposure are combined to produce a single image that has a wider dynamic range (range of contrast to reproduce tonal gradation) with less loss of detail in highlights and shadows. The result is images with less noise and rich tonal gradation throughout the entire frame including shadows and highlights even in high-contrast shooting scenes. Exposure differential is selectable from Auto, 1 EV, 2 EV and 3 EV*. The boundaries between the two images can be smoothed (the degree is selectable from High, Normal and Low). Suitable for stationary subjects such as landscapes and still lifes. Active D-Lighting is effective for shooting, for example, a dark room including outside scenery seen through a window, high-contrast scenes such as at the seaside under strong sunlight, and backlit situations. It preserve details in both highlights and shadowy areas in such situations, maintaining moderate contrast to reproduce brightness as you see it. Select the preferred setting from "Auto", "Extra high", "High", "Normal", "Low" or "Off". Active D-Lighting works for a moving subject and it is also possible to bracket images so as to obtain one with Active D-Lighting and another without.

 

*Can be expanded up to 5 EV equivalent when combined with Active D-Lighting.

 

 

The D5100 employs a 420-pixel RGB sensor. The camera detects brightness and colors finely within a frame, in 420 segments, and identifies the situation of the subject accurately before shooting to achieve highly precise auto control. It analyzes brightness and color information of the shooting scenes and applies this to autofocus, auto exposure, i-TTL flash control and auto white balance. Also, the D5100 detects human faces utilizing the Face Detection System when using face-priority AF during Live View and movie recording, and playback zoom of people's faces for still images. The D5100 analyzes color and brightness information of the scene utilizing the light source identification function of Scene Recognition System and detects the light source precisely by referencing the in-camera database for auto white balance. In this way, it can determine the ideal white balance even with difficult light sources.

 

 

The D5100's high-speed and highly accurate 11-point AF system will not miss a subject or moment you want to capture. A cross-type sensor covers the most frequently used center area to deliver superior subject-acquisition and focusing performance. With Scene Recognition System, the D5100 shows enhanced subject identification. Also, the camera employs superimposed indicators for bright and easy-to-see viewfinder information. Focus points are displayed clearly.

 

The rounded body of the D5100 projects a soft and friendly image. Special rubber material is used for its grip so you can hold the camera stably when shooting with the vari-angle LCD monitor. The D5100's shutter unit is tested for 100,000 cycles with the shutter actually loaded to prove its high durability. High-speed continuous shooting at approx. 4 fps* is achieved. Also, the D5100 employs quiet shutter-release mode that is convenient when you want to shoot with reduced shutter-release sound for occasions such as a school play or when taking pictures of wildlife, insects, or a sleeping child.

 

*Manual focus, mode M or S, shutter speed 1/250 s or faster, and other settings at default values.

 

 

The D5100 incorporates an approx. 921k-dot, 7.5-cm (3-in.), wide-viewing-angle, vari-angle LCD monitor that realizes comfortable movie and Live View shooting. The LCD monitor opens horizontally from 0° to 180° and flips up and down from +180° to -90°. Highly improved operability when shooting from a high or low angle allows you to shoot with a stable posture while confirming composition even if shooting from ground level. You can enjoy new, creative expressions by shooting from various angles and discover unique points of view. Live View shooting gets the most out of the vari-angle LCD monitor. You can shoot while confirming your subject with the large, easy-to-view, 7.5-cm (3-in.) VGA (approx. 921k-dot), wide-viewing-angle (170°), 100% frame coverage LCD monitor. The dedicated Live View switch realizes simple, smooth switching from shooting with the finder to Live View shooting. Also, contrast-detect AF lets you focus on a desired point within a frame.

 

 

If you select a mode according to the scene, the D5100 automatically chooses the most appropriate settings to achieve a beautiful image. Five frequently used Scene Modes such as Portrait and Landscape can be directly selected using the mode dial. For other modes such as Sunset, Dusk/dawn and Food, set the mode dial to SCENE and select the mode by rotating the command dial. You can capture scenes which previously had been difficult to shoot, easily and beautifully. During Live View shooting with the mode dial set to Auto or Auto (flash off), Scene Auto Selector* automatically activates the most suitable scene mode according to the shooting scene or subject. The icon of the selected mode such as Landscape and Portrait is displayed at the top left of the monitor.

 

*When using AF.

 

 

The D5100 offers high-image-quality full HD movie recording at 1,920 x 1,080/30p. You can shoot creative movies easily, not only taking advantage of shallow depth of field, high ISO sensitivity performance and a variety of interchangeable Nikkor lenses of digital SLR cameras but also utilizing the vari-angle LCD monitor and special effects mode of the D5100. Contrast-detect AF is possible and if you set full-time-servo AF (AF-F) for focus mode and subject-tracking AF for AF-area mode, focus point tracks even a moving subject continuously and three-dimensional. You can edit your movie easily without a PC. It is possible to delete unwanted parts by choosing the start or end point in single frame units, and save a selected frame as a JPEG image with the same image size as that of the selected movie frame.

 

 

The D5100 incorporates convenient playback functions for searching and checking images. And easy-to-see information display functions allow easy setting change. The D5100 gives you a variety of playback display options that take advantage of the large 7.5-cm (3-in.) monitor. The number of images displayed at one time can be selected from 1, 4, 9 and 72, and calendar display arranges images in chronological order. You can also display histograms of a magnified area of an image and check the focus using playback zoom of face. You can show various kinds of shooting information in the information display. The design of the display can be selected from both classic and graphic. Pressing the information edit button when shooting information is displayed gives you direct access to the menu of the setting you would like to alter.

 

 

The D5100's special effects mode lets you enjoy your creative expression by applying striking effects to your movies and still images easily. Just setting the mode dial to EFFECTS and rotating the command dial will give you what you need to achieve impressive images. There are seven options incorporated in the D5100. The result of an effect is displayed on the LCD monitor in real time, therefore you can set the effects while checking the appearance of your image. The special effects mode greatly expands your creative possibilities in combination with the vari-angle LCD monitor. The D5100 employs six types of Picture Control, selectable according to your subjects and shooting scenes. Selected Picture Control lets you fine-tune sharpening, contrast, etc. to match your own image creation ideas. Changes can be saved as custom Picture Controls and used with image-browsing/editing software ViewNX 2 (supplied) and image-editing software Capture NX 2 (optional). The D5100 comes equipped with 19 kinds of image-editing functions. These in-camera functions let you retouch images easily. There are a variety of options such as Fisheye that produces effects similar to those obtained with a fisheye lens and Filter effects that achieve images similar to those taken with a filter. Edit movie allows you to delete unwanted parts by choosing the start or end point, or save a selected frame as a JPEG image. In each case, duplicate image or movie is created, leaving the original securely intact.

 

 

The D5100's efficient energy-saving design allows you to shoot approx. 660 shots per charge with the Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL14. The D5100 comes equipped with Image Sensor Cleaning function and Airflow Control System to prevent dust from degrading images. Vibrations at multiple different resonant frequencies are used to reduce dust on the OLPF (optical low-pass filter). It is automatically activated each time the camera is turned on and off. Can also be activated from the menu. This controls the flow of air using small ducts near the lens mount, preventing internal dust from sticking to the low-pass filter in front of the image sensor. 

 

 

 

This compact 3x zoom lens covers the most frequently used focal range of 18 to 55mm with optical design, optimized for use with Nikon DX-format DSLRs for superior performance. Its high-performance Nikon Super Integrated Coating (SIC) offers superior color reproduction, while substantially reducing ghosting and flare. The rounded seven-blade diaphragm opening makes out-of-focus elements appear more natural with a close focusing distance to 0.9 feet (0.28 meters) throughout the entire zoom range. It has separate zoom and focusing rings to ensure responsive operation. With Nikon VR (Vibration Reduction) Image Stabilization Vibration Reduction, engineered specifically for each VR NIikkor lens, enables handheld shooting at up to 3 shutter speeds slower than would otherwise be possible, assuring dramatically sharper still images and video capture. The hybrid aspherical lens element minimizes various types of lens aberration. This lens features Nikon's exclusive Silent Wave Motor (SWM) to ensure fast, quiet auto focus operation.

 

 

 

The versatile and compact 3.6x AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED lens constructed with 15 elements in 11 groups, brings the action to the photographer. Ideal for portraiture, family, sports, nature and wildlife. An ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass element minimizes chromatic aberration, contributing to superior optical performance. The focus mode switch enables quick switching between A (Autofocus) and M (Manual Focus) and a 7-blade rounded diaphragm provides more natural out-of-focus highlights. Nikon VR (Vibration Reduction) Image Stabilization Vibration Reduction, engineered specifically for each VR NIKKOR lens, enables handheld shooting at up to 3 shutter speeds slower than would otherwise be possible, assuring dramatically sharper still images and video capture. New compact rod-type Silent Wave Motor (SW) enables ultra-high speed auto focusing with exceptional accuracy and super-quiet operation. 

 

 

Aspherical lenses virtually eliminate the problem of coma and other types of lens aberration - even when used at the widest aperture. They are particularly useful in correcting the distortion in wideangle lenses. In addition, use of aspherical lenses contributes to a lighter and smaller lens design. The AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR hybrid lens is made of a special plastic molded onto optical glass. 

 

 

Nikon's original Silent Wave Motor (SWM) coverts "traveling waves" into rotational energy to drive the optics used for focusing. The two SWM types - ring type and compact type - are specifically chosen to match each len's specs and design. Lens featuring these SWMs deliver extremely smooth, quiet and comfortable auto focusing for both general shooting as well as extreme situations, such as sports and wildlife.

 

 

To enhance the performance of its optical lens elements, Nikon employs an exclusive multilayer lens coating that helps reduce ghost and flare to a negligible level. Nikon Super Integrated Coating achieves a number of objectives, including minimized reflection in the wider wavelength range and superior color balance and reproduction. Nikon Super Integrated Coating is especially effective for lenses with a large number of elements, like AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR. Also, Nikon's multilayer coating process is tailored to the design of each particular lens. The number of coatings applied to each lens element is carefully calculated to match the lens type and glass used, and also to assure the uniform color balance that characterizes Nikkor lenses. This results in lenses that meet much higher standards than the rest of the industry.

 

 

 

Nikkor's Vibration Reduction system helps you achieve sharper, steadier shots by compensating for camera shake when shooting telephoto subjects, dimly lit scenes and other handheld situations - including D-movie shooting. Camera shake information is detected by the VR sensor of the VR lens unit, which is continually in motion inside the lens, aligning the optical axis with your camera's imaging sensor, thereby reducing image blur and providing the equivalent of shooting at shutter speeds up to three with VR stop faster. Unlike with in-camera systems, Nikon's Vibration Reduction function is built into the lens. The camera's sensor does not move with VR, thereby giving you a steadier view through the viewfinder and eliminating the blur you would see in the image itself. A clear view makes it easier to confirm your composition and place your focus point accurately. Looking through a fully blur-corrected viewfinder for long periods of time may cause feelings similar to motion sickness in some photographers. To prevent this, Nikon developed an exclusive algorithm utilized when the shutter release button is half-pressed. This first algorithm control the blur correction at a slightly lower level than usual. When the shutter release button is fully pressed, a second algorithm engages to maximize camera shake compensation during exposure for clear images.

 

Nikon developed ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass to enable the production of lenses that offer superior sharpness and color correction by minimizing chromatic aberration. Put simply, chromatic aberration is a type of image and color dispersion that occurs when light rays of varying wavelengths pass through optical glass. In the past, correcting this problem for telephoto lenses required special optical elements that offer anomalous dispersion characteristics - specifically calcium fluoride crystals. However, fluorite easily cracks and is sensitive to temperature changes that can adversely affect focusing by altering the lens' refractive index. So Nikon designers and engineers put their heads together and came up with ED glass, which offers all the benefits, yet none of the drawbacks of calcium fluorite-based glass. With this innovation, Nikon developed several types of ED glass suitable for various lenses. They deliver stunning sharpness and contrast even at their largest apertures. In this way, NIKKOR’s ED-series lenses exemplify Nikon’s preeminence in lens innovation and performance.