The new, large 3.0" (7.5-cm) vari-angle LCD monitor opens horizontally up to 180˚ and flips up and down from +180˚ to -90˚. Now you're ready to view, shoot and record your subjects from unique perspectives. Try a high angle for overhead shots, waist level for candid Live View and movie shooting, or a low vantage point for a look from ground level. You can also place the D5100 on a tripod or other stable surface and still see yourself while composing self-portraits. Thanks to high-resolution (approx. 921k-dot) and a wide viewing angle, the vari-angle LCD monitor lets you check your composition comfortably while using Live View or full HD movie.

Incorporating the latest Nikon D-SLR technologies such as the 16.2MP DX-format CMOS sensor and EXPEED 2 image processing engine, the D5100 delivers outstanding image quality.

The D5100 delivers exceptional D-Movie performance with its full HD capability, full-time-servo AF (AF-F) and precise exposure control. In-camera movie editing and sound recording capability (stereo with optional microphone) are also provided. Together with D-SLR advantages like beautiful background blur, high ISO sensitivity performance and extensive NIKKOR lens compatibility, movie-making potential reaches impressive new levels.

The D5100's numerous editing functions include Resize, NEF (RAW) processing and Filter effects, such as Skylight, Warm filter and Cross screen. Along with Quick retouch and Edit movie, there are additional features such as Distortion control and Fisheye.

The D5100's 11 focus points, including a crosstype sensor, widely cover the frame and capture the subject sharply. When using 3D-tracking (11 points) mode, the camera works together with the Scene Recognition System to keep your main subject in focus even if the composition changes.

When shooting extreme contrasts such as sunlit clouds and a foreground deep in shadow, it was once quite difficult to render both textures equally. Not anymore. With the HDR setting, the D5100 takes two shots within a single shutter release: one overexposed and one underexposed. The camera then combines the two images to reveal an extremely wide dynamic range, but with less noise and richer color gradation than ever before (use of a tripod is recommended).

The D5100 provides all the technologies you need to achieve excellent results even when available light is scarce. Its CMOS sensor offers a remarkably wide ISO range (ISO 100 to 6400) with reduced noise. This enables you to shoot at faster shutter speeds and capture scenes and subjects with less blur. Even handheld shots and full HD movies come out looking great in low light.

Vital for dark or backlit subjects, the D5100's built-in pop-up flash automatically brightens your subject. Expect natural-looking results thanks to i-TTL flash control.

Select up to three colors to show in the image, and the rest will remain in black and white.

The D5100 helps you focus by offering a choice of focus modes to match your subject matter - even when using Live View or shooting full HD movies. Simply use AF-F mode to keep the camera focusing automatically while recording. A new switch beside the mode dial activates Live View, and to start movie recording, simply press the dedicated button located next to the shutter-release button. You can do this while keeping a steady view of your subject.

The D5100 has Scene Modes that match a diverse range of scenes. The five most popular modes can be found on the mode dial, while others can be selected by setting the dial to SCENE and rotating the command dial. Once you've decided, the camera automatically chooses the camera settings that will provide the best results. With Nikon's Scene Modes, you will never have to worry about complicated camera settings.

If you are shooting still pictures using Live View with Auto or Auto (flash off), Scene Auto Selector will automatically select the most appropriate Scene Mode, choosing from Portrait, Landscape, Close up, and Night portrait. Leave it up to the D5100 to deliver optimum results, leaving you more time to concentrate on the shot.

Make distant subjects appear like miniatures by strategically altering the focus area. Miniature effect movies play back at high speed.

Create bright, glowing images filled with atmosphere.

Make your images appear like colorful drawings. Movies shot in this mode play back like a slide show made up of a series of stills.

Capture your subjects in silhouette against bright backgrounds.

Create dark, striking images with prominent highlights.

Take monochrome (black and white) images in extremely low-light conditions.

Useful in a variety of situations, Active D-Lighting automatically renders the highlights and shadows of high-contrast scenes so that they appear more like how they are perceived by the human eye. Leave Active D-Lighting on Auto for effortless adjustment, or select the strength level according to your shooting conditions.

Less dust means clearer images. Nikon's exclusive system helps remove dust from the optical lowpass filter in front of the sensor and move it away from crucial components inside the camera.

Approx. 95% frame coverage - for a clear view and comfortable shooting without time lag.

The camera's form fits naturally into your hands, with intuitive controls that make extended shooting easy and comfortable.

Efficient EN-EL14 battery lasts for approx. 660 frames per charge.

This simple and intuitive software helps you get the most out of your images and full HD movies. ViewNX 2 provides importing and browsing capability while also incorporating image-editing functions such as Resize, Brightness, Crop, Straighten and NEF (RAW) image processing. Its movieediting functions help you create your own original movies quickly and easily, and Nikon's own image storing and sharing service, my Picturetown, works smoothly with ViewNX 2, allowing you to log in directly from the software for easy uploading without using a browser.

Enjoy pictures and movies on your television, and use the TV remote control unit to operate playback.

Sometimes the sound of the shutter release may disturb your subject. Quiet shutter-release mode reduces the sound of the D5100's internal mechanisms, by slowing the mirror movement speed at the moment the image is captured, for example.

With the 420-pixel RGB sensor and CMOS image sensor working together, the D5100 is able to recognize your subject matter and optimize the auto exposure, autofocus, auto white balance and i-TTL flash control. The face-priority AF feature originates in this technology, as well.

Customize the look and feel of your photos to suit your taste with Picture Control. Choose from six settings: Standard, Neutral, Vivid, Monochrome, Portrait and Landscape. You can adjust the settings and save them for future use.

The D5100's numerous editing functions include Resize, NEF (RAW) processing and Filter effects, such as Skylight, Warm filter and Cross screen. Along with Quick retouch and Edit movie, there are additional features such as Distortion control and Fisheye.

Nikon's own image-sharing website, my Picturetown, allows you to easily store, manage and share your images with your family and friends worldwide. Membership is free and permits storage of up to 2 GB of photos and/or movies.