Nikon D5100 16.2MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 VR Nikkor Zoom
Any doubts about the convergence of video cameras with digital SLRs went by the wayside with the arrival of the new Nikon D5100 video SLR. This blog has foreseen convergence for the past 4 years and now it has happened with Nikon D5100 completing the transition to video SLRs. This merging of video and still cameras happened a lot faster than expected. But with smartphones and compact cameras over the past 2 years adding impressive HD720p and HD1080p video resolution features, SLRs have had to add ever more video features to keep up.
Five new features have been added to the Nikon D5100 that make the difference between using this and a dedicated video camera negligible.
First, the D5100 has a side mounted viewfinder that swivels with 3 inch + 921K pixel density TFT screen. This means videographers have the choice of through the lens or view-finder composition which matches the capabilities of most dedicated video cameras. It also adds more convenience for the still camera side of operations.
Second, the D5100 has upped the ante by offering several video recording modes. Users now have the choice of 1080p or 720p at 30, 25, and 24frames per second meeting HDMI, WVGA, and cinema recording requirements. All video is stored in H.264/MP4 format for more compressed files.
Third, the autofocus is now fully operational during live viewfinder operation. This means the D5100 is constantly correcting focus and exposure when the camera is moving or zooming. This fully active autofocus is assisted by subject tracking and new contrast detection features in the Expeed 2 image processor. The graphics not only controls all of the camera operations but also ups from 12 to 14bit depth on image gradations. This greater depth enhances both the focus capability and the dynamic range of exposures.
Fourth, in video mode there are over 24 effects that can be applied in camera. These effects or filters include Night Vision, Color Sketch, Miniature, and Silhouette. For scene modes the D100 offers Child, Sports, Close-up, Night Portrait, Beach/Snow, and Sunset among 18 user selectable shooting modes. In short there is a wealth of video-taking control on board the D5100.
Fifth and finally, Nikon offers the ME-1 stereo microphone as seen in the first screenshot for $160US. This microphone replaces the mono audio recording with stereo at greater audio sensitivity range. In addition the ME-1 also reduces wind noises, plus dampens the D5100’s own autofocus noises. Ye Editor is from Missouri on how effective this audio recording capability will be – and awaits the arrival of an ME-1 unit for testing.
Given these improvements, dedicated video camera’s last competitive advantages over video SLRs nearly disappear. Image stabilization, continuous auto-focus and low light shooting are 3 areas where video cameras have outperformed video SLRs. But the D5100 now matches if not excels in these ares. And with the side swiveling TFT viewfinder, another nuisance deficit is removed. But most importantly the D5100 offers interchangeable lenses with much improved sharpness and exposure range relative to what is available with most equivalently priced video cameras. And the focus, sharpness, and dynamic image exposure range of the D5100 are very competitive with top rated video cameras.
There are 3 obvious drawbacks to the D5100 as a video SLR. First, there is the limit of 20 minutes for a video. This length rules regardless of what storage you have available. Second, the weight and bulk of the D5100 may be off-putting for video camera buffs. Finally, the range of lighting and audio accessories and controls still favor video cameras. But overtime a video subculture will rise up around the D5100 and other video SLRs.In sum, on the video side the D5100 is quite impressive – and as shall be seen this extends to the still camera side as well.
D5100 as Improved Nikon Still Camera
Nikon still camera users need not worry, the D5100 is still a great camera for image taking which has been enhanced in several notable respects. The nifty table at DPReview tells the story of how much the D5100 is improved over its predecessor, the D5000, and its less expensive sibling, the D3100:
1)D5100 records at 16.2MPixels versus D5000’s 12.3MPixels and the D3100’s 14.2MPixels.
2)D5100 has a core ISO range of 100-6400 versus 200-6400 for D5000 and 100-3200 for D3100.
3)Burst mode shooting at 4fps versus D3100 at 3fps and D5000 at 4fps but only 16 second burst.
4)TFT view screen at 3″+921K pixels versus D5000 at 2.7″ and 230K pixels and the D3100 at 3″ screen but only 230K pixels and bottom versus D5100’s side movement+ swivel.
5)14bit graphics depth versus 12bit for both D5000 and D3100.
6)Image bracketing in D5100 1nd D3100 but not D3100.
7)24 scene modes and effect/filters for D5100 versus 16 for D5000 and 18 for D3100.
These are impressive improvements in still picture taking features. True, the D5100 does not have the 31 autofocus points or fullframe sensor of the Nikon D3. But perhaps the best test is to see how the D5100 fares against competitive systems like the new Canon T3i, the Sony A55 or the Pansonic Lumix . Again, DPreview has some great test shots in which direct comparisons can be made – and lets just say the D5100 does very well indeed.
Summary
The D5100 marks the emergence of the video SLR. Nikon has upped the performance on autofocus, basic image exposure capabilities, and providing almost all of the missing video-taking features versus dedicated video cameras. But these improvements also accrue to the still image-side of the D5100 as well. Finally, Nikon has chosen to add even more special effect and filters [rather than say GPS location features or panoramic phototaking] with post image editing in camera. Ye Editor has not been enamored of in-camera image editing [since a 10″++ PC screen with Photoshop or Aperture easily dominates the 3″ screen of the D5100]. However, until testing judgement is still reserved.
Nonetheless, one can see what the enormous microchip computing power, better glass and optics plus huge memory capabilities has given to camera makers in the case of the D5100. But these same advantages have been picked up by smartphone and tablet vendors. As zoom lenses and image stabilization come to smartphones and tablets expect camera makers to be pushed into delivering even more features in their SLR and compact cameras to stay ahead in the imaging world and thus not become technology roadkill.