The Nikon Coolpix P5100 is designed to satisfy the needs of photography enthusiasts, and professional photographers looking for a compact yet versatile digital camera. It provides an astounding 12.1 effective megapixels of resolution, and combined with Nikon's innovative EXPEED digital image processor, the P5100 reproduces the finest details and subtlest tones with precision and clarity, even when taking advantage of sensitivity settings as high as ISO 3200. Furthermore, the precision 3.5x Zoom Nikkor lens is endowed with Nikon's proven optical lens shift VR (Vibration Reduction) image stabilization system that counteracts the effects of camera shake in lower light or when shooting unsteady subjects to help achieve sharper results.
The mode dial of the Coolpix P5100 allows users to quickly access four advanced exposure modes that offer both enthusiasts and more advanced photographers greater personal control over the camera. In addition the camera is programmed with a variety of automated and scene modes that provide for the simplest operation. It is easy to compose your shots on the 2.5-inch high-resolution LCD monitor that provides a wide 170-degree viewing angle for easier framing and more reassured shooting, and there is also an optical viewfinder to aid composition, particularly in brightly lit conditions.
The quality-crafted body of the Coolpix P5100 is made of a durable magnesium alloy, and features a quality finish, with a comfortable grip covered in grid-pattern rubber. The cameras capabilities can also be expanded with the availability of optional converter lenses that further extend the cameras wide-angle and telephoto reach, plus the built-in accessory shoe adds support for Nikon Speedlights and advanced i-TTL flash control.
| Camera Type | Compact Advanced Digital Camera with Optical Image Stabilization |
| Image Quality | |
|---|---|
| Image Sensor | 1/1.72" 12.43 Megapixel CCD |
| Effective Resolution | 12.1 million pixels |
| Color Depth | 24-Bit RGB |
| Color Modes | Normal, Softer, Vivid, More vivid, Portrait, Custom, Black-and-white |
| Image File Formats | JPEG (High, Normal) |
| Recorded Resolution |
4000 x 3000 (12M) 3984 x 2656 (3:2) 3968 x 2232 (16:9) 3264 x 2448 (8M) 2992 x 2992 (1:1) 2592 x 1944 (5M) 2048 x 1536 (3M) 1600 x 1200 (2M) 1280 x 960 (1M) 1024 x 768 (PC) 640 x 480 (TV) |
| Video Recording |
AVI Moton JPEG with sound TV movie (640 x 480 @ 15 or 30 fps) Small size (320 x 240 @ 30 fps) Smaller size (160 x 120 @ 15 fps) Sepia (size (320 x 240 @ 15fps) Monochromatic (size (320 x 240 @ 15fps) Time lapse movie (640 x 480 with 15 fps playback) Clip length limited only by available memory |
| Audio Recording | WAV audio (monaural) |
| Optics | |
|---|---|
| Lens Type | Zoom-Nikkor Lens (7 elements in 6 groups) |
| Optical Zoom | 3.5x |
| Lens Focal Length | 7.5mm - 26.3mm (35mm - 123mm equivalent) |
| Digital Zoom | 4x |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 1.6" (4cm) |
| Maximum Aperture | f/2.7-5.3 |
| Optical Image Stabilization | Yes (VR image stabilization) |
| Accessory Lens/Filter Mount | 28mm with UR-E20 Adapter Ring |
| Focus Control | |
|---|---|
| Focus Type | TTL Contrast-detect AF (Face priority AF, Auto (9 spot), Center, Manual (99 area)) with AF assist lamp |
| Focus Modes | Single AF, Continuous AF, Face-priority AF |
| Focus Range |
Normal: 11.8" (30cm) - infinity Macro: 1.6" (4cm) - infinity |
| Exposure Control | |
|---|---|
| Sensitivity |
Auto ISO (64 - 800) Selectable ISO (64, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 2000, 3200) |
| Shutter Type | Not Specified by Manufacturer |
| Shutter Speed | 8 - 1/2000 second |
| Aperture Range | f/2.7-5.3 (max.) |
| Exposure Metering | TTL Matrix Metering (256-segment matrix, Spot, Center-weighted, Spot AF area) |
| Exposure Modes | Auto, Program (auto), Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, Manual, Scene, High-sensitivity shooting, Anti-shake mode, Exposure compensation (±2EV in 1/3EV steps), Exposure bracketing |
| White Balance Modes | Auto, Preset, Daylight, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Cloudy, Flash |
| Scene Modes | Face-priority AF, Portrait, Landscape, Sports, Night Portrait, Party/Indoor, Beach/Snow, Sunset, Dusk/Dawn, Night Landscape, Close up, Museum, Fireworks show, Copy, Back Light, Panorama Assist |
| Flash | |
|---|---|
| Built-in Flash | Yes (Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Anytime Flash, Flash Cancel, Slow Sync) |
| Effective Flash Range | 1.0' (0.3m) - 26' (8.0m) |
| External Flash Connection | Hot Shoe |
| External Flash Control | i-TTL Flash Control |
| Performance | |
|---|---|
| Start-Up Time | Not Specified by Manufacturer |
| Shutter Lag | Not Specified by Manufacturer |
| Time Between Shots | Not Specified by Manufacturer |
| Burst Capability | Continuous up to 0.8 fps |
| Self Timer | 10 seconds or 3 seconds |
| Interval Recording | Yes |
| Date & Time Stamp | Yes |
| Memory & Power | |
|---|---|
| Built-in Memory | 52MB |
| Compatible Memory Cards | Secure Digital (SD/SDHC) Card |
| Recording Capacity | Not Specified by Manufacturer |
| Battery Type | EN-EL5 Rechargeable Lithium-ion Battery |
| Power Adapter | EH-62A AC Adapter (optional) |
| Input/Output | |
|---|---|
| Computer Interface | USB 2.0 |
| Direct Print Capable | Yes (PictBridge) |
| Remote Control | No |
| Video Output | NTSC & PAL |
| Web-Cam Capable | No |
| System & Software Requirements |
Windows XP, Vista (32bit) Macintosh OS X (10.3.9, 10.4.x) |
| Display | |
|---|---|
| Viewfinder | Real-image optical zoom viewfinder |
| LCD Display | 2.5" TFT Color LCD (230,000 pixels) with wide viewing angle and anti-reflection coating |
| Language Options | English, Spanish, French, Czech, Danish, German, Indonesian, Italian, Dutch, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Finnish, Swedish, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Japanese, Korean, Thai, and More |
| Playback Options | 1 frame, Thumbnail (4 or 9 up), Slide show, Zoom playback, Shooting information display, BSS (Best Shot Selector), D-Lighting, In-camera Red-Eye Fix, In-camera barrel-distortion fix, Histogram display, Delete Function (Delete all frames, delete selected frames, protect function available, card format), Image adjustment (Image sharpening, Saturation control, In-camera crop) |
| Physical | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (HxWxD) | 3.9 x 2.5 x 1.6" (98 x 65 x 41mm) |
| Weight | 7.1 oz (200g) without battery |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviewsPros
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Most Liked Positive Review
Great value.
We use it for on-set, behind the scenes movie stills and the occassional vacation. The 12MP makes it capable of poster quality prints. For me, it was either this one of the Canon ...Read complete review
We use it for on-set, behind the scenes movie stills and the occassional vacation. The 12MP makes it capable of poster quality prints. For me, it was either this one of the Canon G9, and at almost $175 cheaper and still capable of accepting additional lenses, the P5100 was an easy decision. The major difference between the the P5100 and G9, is that the G9 can save pics in the RAW format. Personally, I did not require this capability in a point and shoot, we already have an SLR more suited for that capability.
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Most Liked Negative Review
Adequate Camera
I normally use a Canon 40D for most of my uses, but wanted a P&S for when I didn't want to drag the much larger Canon around. I was really hoping that t...Read complete review
I normally use a Canon 40D for most of my uses, but wanted a P&S for when I didn't want to drag the much larger Canon around. I was really hoping that this camera would fulfill those needs. It didn't. The menu system has to be dug into to make basic manual adjustments and is unnecessarily complicated to do. Picture quality is adequate but not that great. This would make a great camera, especially at its price point for a digital first timer, but anyone looking for something more is going to be disappointed.
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Reviewed by 63 customers
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Comments about Nikon Coolpix P5100 Digital Camera (Black):
The camera is easy to set up and use. It has the right balance of simplicity and adjustiblity.
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Comments about Nikon Coolpix P5100 Digital Camera (Black):
The P5100 I purchased has performed much better than I had been led to believe in some reviews. As a P&S on auto, it's very competent; but to those who will apply the camera, and its features, it's an amazing piece of work! At high resolutions, I would recommend an extra battery.
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Comments about Nikon Coolpix P5100 Digital Camera (Black):
This is a great compact digital for the novice and pro alike. The P5100 is extremely user friendly without sacraficing the ability to control the shot. Provides excellent results without the bulk and unlike most compacts, has the capability to expand. The durable magnesium body will accept additional flashes as well as wide angle and telephoto lenses. Unmatched quality and value!
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Comments about Nikon Coolpix P5100 Digital Camera (Black):
Very nice piece of work from NIKON for both who knows what shutter and aperture are and for those who just points and shoots... I'd rather like to have full control over the equipment. Impressive and helpfull set of predefined settings - portrait, sunset, sunrise, macro and etc... Picture quality is good, very good. Unexpectedly good performance in low light conditions even without speedlight. This camera makes perfect everyday use addition to my D70. Also optional underwater case for this camera and ability to attach regular speedlight convinced me to make this purchase.
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Comments about Nikon Coolpix P5100 Digital Camera (Black):
Nice size lcd screen. Good spontaneity between shots. Easy menu
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Comments about Nikon Coolpix P5100 Digital Camera (Black):
Just got the camera and I am shooting everything with it. The really cool thing is that it has manual---very versatile little camera! My next purchase will be a Nikon D40, but I think I'll always carry this little guy with me wherever I go.
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Comments about Nikon Coolpix P5100 Digital Camera (Black):
The bad news first, there is a significant delay from pressing the trigger button until the shutter fires, like one to two seconds. The camera is small and compact, but offers many control settings that other cameras do not offer in this compact class. The flash is extremely powerful, and the image quality is outstanding. If you want a small camera to carry in your pocket, and you are shooting in a dark room at a shutter speed of 1/250, with a ISO of 150, this is the camera... and the images are excellent! My other camera is a Nikon D300, so I know quality images.
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Comments about Nikon Coolpix P5100 Digital Camera (Black):
I am a advid photographer witha small studio in my home. I had purchased a motorcycle and wanted to have a good digital camera to carry with me. All my cameras are Nikon and I wouldn't have anything else.
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Comments about Nikon Coolpix P5100 Digital Camera (Black):
Extremely broad range of features both in still mode as well as movie mode, and yet suprisingly compact. I had been waiting for an affordable digital camera that would finally come close to my previous Nikon film cameras. With a 12 megapixal capability Coolpix P5100 is pretty close. Camera design and controls fairly intuitive and ergonomically funtional.
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Comments about Nikon Coolpix P5100 Digital Camera (Black):
I've been using this product while traveling, so since it is not as compact as some other cameras, I find it a bit cumbersome. It is not easy to take it out and put it back into the case I bought for it, which is just a general camera case.
The quality of the camera and the photos is very good. The camera is fun to use. The autofocus does not function well in low light.
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Comments about Nikon Coolpix P5100 Digital Camera (Black):
is an excellent camera I recommend it for those who want to see some excellent shots and sharpness and the most important photos to remember
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Comments about Nikon Coolpix P5100 Digital Camera (Black):
The P5100 takes great pictures outdoors, and it offers more control (settings) than any other point-and-shoot camera that I have used. BUT- it's performance in indoor/low light settings is not good at all. Above about ISO 200 things start to look grainy- more so the higher you go.
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Comments about Nikon Coolpix P5100 Digital Camera (Black):
I am a serious amateur drawing/watercolor artist and use the camera for reference photos. I am extemely satisfied with the color and sharpness of the photos. I have used just about every feature the camera offers and especially like the museum setting. My only complaints are the poor contstruction of the battery compartment door and sometimes the parts get stuck just as I'm ready to get that award winning shot.
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Comments about Nikon Coolpix P5100 Digital Camera (Black):
I've been a photography enthusiast since I got my first Nikon SLR in the early 80's. For several years though, the portability and convenience of point-and-shoots have made them my cameras of choice. But since I purchased the Coolpix P5100, I've found I can carry it in my pocket and still be creative. My old enthusiasm for photography has been rekindled. The image quality is crisp and true, it's easy to navigate the controls and I love the magnesium body. It's refreshing to see a camera that's built to last. I was aware of the camera's tendency to be slow to focus in low light but I was still surprised at how slow it is. I found that by pre-focusing and keeping the shutter button halfway depressed, I could catch any action I needed. Sure, it takes a little forethought, but in most cases it's not a problem. Also, I wish it had more than a 3.5 optical zoom but I suppose compromises must be made in order to get it into such a small package. Overall, I think the camera is best suited for someone who likes to do more than just "point and shoot". But it will do that too. Very well.
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Comments about Nikon Coolpix P5100 Digital Camera (Black):
I bought it to use it as a compact camera to put in an underwater housing and I'm really satisfied with the first results. Even though I'll need an external strobe to do the work, it's great. You still need to experience different settings to find which one works best with this camera. Above the water, I didn't really test it.
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Comments about Nikon Coolpix P5100 Digital Camera (Black):
As a part-time pro photographer I keep this little camera on my belt for all those times when larger gear isn't at hand. Color rendition is excellent and exposure ir right on most of the time. 12mb gives large blow-ups. I haven't tried it at high ISO but up through 400 it is clean. Fully manual exposure on a camera like this is a welcome option and easy to access without going into menus to set it.
RAW file would give it the 5th star, as well as a wider zoom range, but for nearly twice the price you can get that with the P6000. Altogether it's a bargain!
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Comments about Nikon Coolpix P5100 Digital Camera (Black):
I did not think there was a digital camera out there that could convince me that it would equal and even surpass film. Sadly, this one did it. I say sadly because I'm really going to miss it. I have had four digital cameras prior to this one, and the most exquisite photographes that I took of my grandchildren, I took with this Nikon P5100.
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Comments about Nikon Coolpix P5100 Digital Camera (Black):
Great display. Fast recovery and review of shots. Good zoom capability. Lightweight and feels good in the hand. Software is easy to load and use.
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Comments about Nikon Coolpix P5100 Digital Camera (Black):
Great travel camera; easy to use; very sharp lens; very good accessories. Instruction book is easy to understand. Very well built camera. Great to have a viewfinder on this camera. Shutter lag time is average.
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Cons
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Comments about Nikon Coolpix P5100 Digital Camera (Black):
This little camera has a ton of features to rival allot of Digital SLR's. Easy to use out of the box if you already own a Nikon SLR. Menu features are similar. Images are very nice, with many JPG options to choose from. This model does not shoot raw. Fits great in your hand. 12.1 megapixels, so you can blow up those pics if you shoot in the fine and larger JPG settings. Has a Hot shoe so I can use my SB 600 NIKON Flash. On screen displays while you are shooting are very helpful. The only gripe I have is it is slow writing images to memory, making you wait a few seconds to take the next picture. Helps to use a faster card. Most professional reviews you read on this camera are pretty accurate. Probably too complicated for the casual photo bug.
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