Nikon Coolpix P5100 - Expert Reviews

Review summary: The 12.1-megapixel Nikon Coolpix P5100 is a high-end digital camera that aims to incorporate DSLR features into a compact body. It combines DSLR-like elements such as a hot shoe and manual exposure modes and controls with point-and-shoot automation ...

Verdict: The Nikon P5100 is designed to woo DSLR users who want a more-portable camera, but we don't think this camera has the guts to impress this picky market. The P5100 is plagued by slow processing times, a pedestrian burst mode, and an auto focus system ...

Award: Recommended!

Review summary: Announced just six months after the launch of the P5000, the Nikon P5100 is a gentle re-working of the existing model with a slightly larger, more pixel-dense sensor and hardware-based face-detection. Beyond that, the changes are predominantly ...

Pros: Very compact and pocketable, Excellent handling for a small camera, Solid build and excellent fit / finish, Good resolution and decent edge-to-edge consistency, Realistic natural color, subtle processing, excellent tonality for a compact, Extensive ...

Cons: User interface somewhere between 'quirky' and 'frustrating', Very slow focus and rather sluggish performance overall, Frustrating manual control mode, Poor performance above ISO 200, ISO 3200 pointless, Unimpressive burst mode, Default settings ...

Review summary: The sturdily built Canon PowerShot S5 IS is what is commonly known as a 'bridge' camera � so called because it forms a bridge between a point-and-shoot compact and a digital SLR.

Verdict: All said and done, if you're looking for a portable backup to your DSLR the Nikon Coolpix P5100 may well be the answer to your prayers. A RAW mode and better handling of image noise at the higher ISO settings might just have made the P5100 perfect.

Review summary: the 12-megapixel Nikon Coolpix P5100 succeeds the P5000 with Nikon's EXPEED image processor, a larger pixel count and a wide focal range.

Pros: Distortion control feature, menu system

Cons: Noise after ISO: 400, shallow grip

Verdict: If Raw capture or the extended focal length isn't an issue for you, then the P5100 would certainly serve as a more-than-capable compact - even more so if you're nimble-fingered.

Review summary: The Coolpix P5100 is the latest in Nikon's "Performance Series" with 12.1 megapixels, full manual controls, and perks like a hot shoe and conversion lens compatibility. The P5100 follows the P5000 with the same 2.5-inch LCD screen and 3.5x optical ...

Pros: - Hot shoe - Good resolution - 52MB internal memory - Great color accuracy - Low noise under ISO 400 - Updated face detection

Cons: - No RAW files - Slow processing time - Slow autofocus - Awful Movie mode - 0.7-second shutter lag - Poor videos in low light - High noise above ISO 400

Verdict: The Nikon Coolpix P5100 creates the illusion that consumers can have DSLR components and quality in a camera the size of a pocket. It has a 1.6-inch thick body with a decent handgrip, extending 3.5x optical zoom lens, optical image stabilization, a ...