The Nikon D5100 - photo by Nikon

I normally don’t write reviews of specific cameras, unless it’s one I shoot myself.  But I’m making an exception for the Nikon D5100.

What impresses me about this camera is not just the price or the build quality, which very closely match the Canon 60D, what I like about this camera is that it’s living proof that Nikon “gets it” when it comes to listening to their customers and responding to changes in the market place.

Canon also listens, but, in my opinion, perhaps not as attentively.   That may be because DSLRs are competing with some pretty high end video cameras these days.  It’s not unusual to see a Canon 5D MKII on movie sets being shot side-by-side with cameras made by RED or Arri.  Canon has a high end video camera market to protect, Nikon does not.  Yet the two compete in the same market space for DSLRs.  Nikon can’t afford to ignore video shooters and expect to stay competitive.

I’ve always admired Nikon cameras, even though I’ve owned few of them.  And I’m a bigger fan of Nikon glass than I am of their cameras.  Nikkor lenses have enjoyed a reputation in photography for superior quality.

So why is a hard-core Canon shooter heaping praise on Nikon?  Because of the changes evident in the D5100 that say to me Nikon listens and responds to the market.  Corporations spend so much more time trying to sell us things, it’s worth note when one takes the time to hear their customers.

The additions are subtle but significant.  The D5100 sports a 16mp sensor, which is similar to the 60D.  The build quality doesn’t compare to my 7D but neither does the price tag.  With an 18-55 kit lens it still comes in under $900.

Interestingly when field reporters first requested video capability in professional still cameras, it was Nikon first on the block with the feature.  The Canon 5D managed to steal Nikon’s thunder with its full size sensor, but Nikon didn’t quit on the idea even as much of the market went to Canon.

For video buffs Nikon added a stereo microphone and support for 24p at 1080.  A lot of people don’t realize the importance of 24p in high end video.  Almost all professionals use 24p timelines for editing.  You can’t use a 30 fps clip in a 24p timeline.  You have to convert it, and that conversion always looks bad and rarely fits right.  So the fact that Nikon added the 24p option meant they were listening to video pros.  Lot of people think 30p is better than 24p, and most of them have never shot video.

Another feature for video shooters is continuous auto-focus.  When I tried it did seem a bit jumpy, but not as bad as other models I’ve tried.

The D5100 also sports an LCD viewer that pivots on a side hinge, another nod to video shooters.

When you’re taking still photos, the D5100 gives you the option of GPS tagging, a feature the Canons don’t sport.  When it comes to size and weight the Nikon feels heavier than the 60D with a slightly better
grip.

Overall, the D5100 is a very capable camera that demonstrates Nikon’s quality, agility and resourcefulness.