Nikon Coolpix P5100 - Expert Reviews

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

Review summary: The Nikon Coolpix P5100 is a highly specced 12.1-megapixel camera, with impressive image quality. It packs SLR-style features into a compact frame and gives you great control over shooting. Image stabilisation is built into the lens and you also have ...

Pros: Compact size ; clever image processing ; wealth of manual controls

Cons: Sluggish performance

Verdict: With its SLR-style look, above average features and high specs, the Nikon Coolpix P5100 sets a high bar for itself. It isn't quite the all-rounder we expected, but image quality is excellent in this clever and highly adaptable camera

Review summary: If this camera had a 7-megapixel sensor it would be a world-beater.

Review summary: This 12 megapixel camera has a 35-123mm film equivalent image stabilised lens in a compact body. There is an optical viewfinder and a full set of camera controls, almost equal to those found on any DSLR. There is an external flash shoe, and an ...

Pros: The image quality from this little camera is excellent - provided the ISO is not set above 200. Auto white balance is amongst the best that we have seen. Exposure is generally spot on, and where it is not the exposure compensation falls easily under ...

Cons: The viewfinder is very small. Low light response time is poor, by the time focus is locked and exposure calculated and the flash readied the subject has disappeared. This is odd because in normal light responses are lightning fast.

Verdict: This camera, like all the compacts that boast absurdly high pixel counts, is prone to image noise above ISO200. Below that point the images are clean enough, particularly if the end display medium is a 10 by 15 cm print. With Noise Reduction turned on ...

Review summary: A 12-megapixel sensor and features designed with the enthusiast in mind