Latest – Review and Sample Photos by TrustedReviews (added 10 September’08)
Nikon Coolpix P5100 is a 12.1 megapixel point-and-shoot digital camera and it features a 3.5x zoom lens(35-123mm), 2.5 inch TFT LCD, ISO range of 64 to 3200, optical image stabilization, Face priority auto focus, D-lighting, and 52 MB of internal memory.
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Reviewers Conclusions & Verdicts – (updated 10 September’08)
TrustedReviews
“It is solidly made, handles well and looks suitably impressive despite its relatively small size. Its main strength is its excellent image quality, but it is let down by slow performance, especially its disappointing AF system.”
Rating: 
Adorama
“AImage quality, when shooting at ISO 64-100, was exceptionally sharp with very little grain. Photos taken with this camera in sufficient light at low ISO sensitivity could be enlarged to 11×14 and beyond without fear.”
Overall, Review was Favorable: 
PhotographyReview has reviewed the Nikon Coolpix P5100 and they write -
“An evaluation of the Nikon P5100 quickly boils down to one’s expectations and photographic needs. In certain conditions, the Nikon P5100 offers an attractive set of features and delivers strong performance that largely doesn’t disappoint. But when the P5100 does disappoint, it really lets you down (i.e., you miss the shot).”
Rating: 
ImagingResource – 19 February’08 – reviews the Nikon Coolpix P5100 and felt the camera was a pretty slow responder. Here’s a summary of their review -
“The P5100 has the same sensor as the Canon A650 however the A650 produces sharper images. Here’s a camera that is better off taking more thoughtful photographs and is less adept at fast situations like parties etc. Photograph colors are natural and well balanced and the camera seems right at home in low light situations.”
Rating:
ePhotozine – 17 February’08 – reviews the Nikon Coolpix P5100 and thought the menu structure can give you an occasional headache.. Here’s a summary of their review -
“Image quality is good but not as good as one would expect from Nikon. Navigating the menu was frustrating in that it forces you to back out of menu selections which can eat up precious time when you’re trying catch the moment.”
Rating:
GoodGearGuide – 05 February’08 – reviews the Nikon Coolpix P5100 and felt it struggled in high contrast lighting situations. Here’s a summary of their review -
“Here’s a compact that produces good sharp pictures but suffers from a really slow burst mode. High contrast situation tended to produce photos that had a degree of chromatic aberration and haloing. Reviewers did not that unlike other Nikon that felt a little on the cheap side the P5100 has a very solid and strong feel to it.”
I always find it confusing when reviewers spend a lot of time trashing a camera and in the end award it a high score.
Rating:
PopPhoto – 03 January’08 – reviews the Nikon Coolpix P5100 and was surprised at the the less than optimal battery life. Here’s a summary of their review -
“For a camera with such great image and lighting control it’s too bad Nikon did not add the ability to shoot RAW. The main drawback is there are so many great features but the camera is just too small to really make the features easy to use.”
Rating:
DigitalCameraReview – 17 December’07 – reviews the Nikon Coolpix P5100 and points out that shutter lag and auto focus are slow than other cameras in its class. Here’s an excerpt from their review conclusion -
“I was a bit disappointed with the Nikon Coolpix P5100. The camera was obviously designed to compete in a specific digital camera class – hi-res, feature-rich, and capable P&S digicams for photography enthusiasts.”
Overall, Review was UnFavorable: 
PCAdvisor – 12 December’07 – reviews the Nikon Coolpix P5100 and thought the focusing mechanism had an annoying buzz. Here’s an excerpt from their review conclusion -
“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.”
DigitalCameraInfo – 04 December’07 – reviews the Nikon Coolpix P5100 and notes that if it weren’t for the speed issue it would be a decent camera. Here’s an excerpt from their review conclusion -
“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 hot shoe, and a full set of manual exposure modes and controls. However, it is missing a key component that DSLRs have: speed.”
PhotoReview – 04 December’07 – reviews the Nikon Coolpix P5100 and suggests the autofocus system is a little on the slow side. Here’s an excerpt from their review conclusion -
“This would be a great little camera if it had an 8-megapixel image sensor and raw file capture and if Nikon fixed some of the menu’s anomalies and boosted response speeds a bit. Small enough to be pocketable and ruggedly built, the P5100 is, in the main, pleasant to use and contains most of the controls and functions keen photographers require.”
CNET.co.uk – 03 December’07 – reviews the Nikon Coolpix P5100 and thinks if you’re looking for more control over your pictures than the average point and shoot offers this camera deserves a look. Here’s an excerpt from their review -
“The similarly-designed Canon PowerShot G9 goes a step further, offering raw mode, but the P5100 at least scores by offering neutral, natural images with processing applied intelligently and subtly at a very reasonable price.
It’s also worth remembering that most image issues can be tweaked by the P5100’s wealth of manual controls.”
Rating:
DPExpert – 21 November’07 – reviews the Nikon Coolpix P5100 and felt the low light performance was poor. Here’s an excerpt from their review -
“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 in the menu there is some loss of fine detail at ISO400 and above. However, if your expectations are not too high, the output at a stratospheric ISO3200 is acceptable, with a bit of post-camera clean-up in noise removal software. The sad fact is that if this camera had a 7 megapixel sensor it would be a world-beater. We really enjoyed using it, and as the only competition, the Canon G9, is also over-pixelled these are as good as it gets in compact cameras.”
Megapixel – 21 November’07 – reviews the Nikon Coolpix P5100 and thought the cameras pictures at the wide angle looked a little soft. Here’s an excerpt from their review -
“Although very compact, the Coolpix P5100 has a number of external controls. These are well positioned, and very useable. One control, however, the Multi-selector, may be a touch too small to use comfortably by everyone. The left direction, which controls the Self-timer as well, is particularly tight to the edge of the monitor, and is not easily accessed reliably.”
Cameras.co.uk – 19 November’07 – reviews the Nikon Coolpix P5100 and notes the cameras picture quality is right up there with the best. Here’s an excerpt from their review verdict -
“The Nikon Coolpix P5100 is one of the more advanced compact digital cameras. It has many features you would expect to find on an SLR, but retains a certain ease of use. Picture quality is very good and the camera feels good in the hand.”
PCW – 19 November’07 – reviews the Nikon Coolpix P5100 and felt the auto focus was a little slow in low light situations. Here’s an excerpt from their review -
“we found the P5100’s image quality to be among the best we’ve seen from any compact 12-megapixel camera. There was a small amount of chromatic aberration apparent but noise levels were impressively low and the stabilization system worked a treat enabling superb shots at ISO 64.”
Photoxels – 12 November’07 – reviews the Nikon Coolpix P5100 and thought the camera had a clean design and a multitude of controls that make the camera easy to figure out and operate. Here’s an excerpt from their review conclusion -
“The camera remains perhaps the most comfortable compact digital camera to hold and operate.
the Mode Dial and Command Dial make it easy to select the options you want quickly. I especially like the intuitive implementation of program shift in Programmed Auto mode (just rotate the Command Dial), the AF Area mode implementation (just press the OK button and use the ARROW keys to position the Focus area) and the Infinity focus setting (invaluable when trying to focus on far away subjects in low lighting).”
DPReview – 12 November’07 – reviews the Nikon Coolpix P5100 and felt its performance was sluggish and it has a confusing user interface. Here’s an excerpt from their review conclusion -
“And so, once again Nikon has produced a compact capable of excellent results in the right conditions, but one that cannot ever be described as an ‘all rounder’ (just try using it indoors in low light and you’ll discover why). It’s a superb walk around camera for the landscape photographer (and has unusually ‘purist-friendly’ output) and it manages to fit an awful lot into a very small body, but it is disappointingly far from the camera it could have been.”
PhotographyBlog – 30 October’07 – reviews the Nikon Coolpix P5100 and warns about the poor low light level quality of the images. Here’s an excerpt from their review conclusion -
“So, as we asked at the beginning, is the Nikon Coolpix P5100 the ultimate enthusiast’s compact, or an over engineered point and shoot hiding under a cloak of apparent sophistication? The answer to the first question would have to be ‘no’, so in truth it falls between the two stools, and is perhaps more kindly viewed as a ‘beefed up’ snapshot camera.”
Actual Owner Feedback
“This is my first digital camera and I am greatly impressed with its versatility and general ease of use. Yes, I agree with others, the lag time is somewhat daunting, but for most applications it is acceptable.”
Portion of user comment on Amazon.com
“I’ve had/used this camera for 2 weeks now and i’m pleased with my purchase. It performs well but based on expert reviews does not beat its main compeditor i.e. canon G9 but still gives good performance in its class…and for $150 less than its rivals…THIS IS A DEAL!”
Portion of user comment on Amazon.com
“I have owned semi-professional Nikon film cameras for many years but somehow got sidetracked into buying Canon for my point-and-shoot digital cameras. No more! This camera is GREAT.”
Portion of user comment on Amazon.com
“I purchased a P5100 from Amazon – one week into its first use (during a vacation), it stopped working – the lens refused to exit the body. I just have been in touch with Nikon where I learned that I will need to pay for the return of the camera for warranty repair.”
Portion of user comment on Amazon.com
“It is a big disappointment. Because I am primarily an SLR user, my expectations are high. But even comparing it to my old 4200, this camera is a loser.”
Portion of user comment on Amazon.com
Sample Photos
[Sample Photos at TrustedReviews]
[Sample Photos at PhotographyReview]
[Sample Photos at ImagingResource]
[Sample Test Photos at ePhotozine]
[Sample test Photos at PopPhoto]
[Sample Test Photos at DigitalCameraInfo]
[Sample Test Photos at PhotoReview]
[Sample Test Photos at Megapixel]
[Sample Test Photos at Cameras.co.uk]
[Sample Test Photos at Photoxels]
[Sample Test Photos at DPReview]
[Sample Test Photos at PhotographyBlog]
[Sample Photos at Nikon]
Specifications & Camera Profile
Owners Manual
Press Excerpt
August 30, 2007 — TOKYO –Nikon Corporation is pleased to announce the introduction of the COOLPIX P5100, the new flagship model in the Nikon COOLPIX lineup tooled to satisfy photo and camera enthusiasts. Built on a custom application of Nikon’s innovative EXPEED digital image processing concept and incorporating the precision optics of a NIKKOR lens, The COOLPIX P5100 is built to realize optimum performance and maximum image quality.
Class-leading imaging ability begins with a full 12.1 effective megapixels of sharp resolution and new digital image processing engine that reproduce the finest details and subtlest tones with precision and clarity, even when taking advantage of sensitivity settings as high as ISO 3200*. It also includes the compositional freedom of the 3.5x Zoom-NIKKOR lens and compatibility with converter lens options that further extend wide-angle and telephoto reach.
In addition to a variety of automated and scene modes, four advanced exposure modes offer learning and advanced photographers greater personal control over the camera. Providing easy access to these modes is the Mode dial, a good example of how the COOLPIX P5100’s logically placed controls are designed to simplify and streamline camera operation.
In addition to a variety of automated and scene modes, four advanced exposure modes offer learning and advanced photographers greater personal control over the camera. Providing easy access to these modes is the Mode dial, a good example of how the COOLPIX P5100’s logically placed controls are designed to simplify and streamline camera operation.
Optical lens shift VR (Vibration Reduction) image stabilization counteracts the effects of camera shake in lower light or when shooting unsteady subjects to help achieve sharper results. Active full time, it also stabilizes images displayed on the 2.5-inch high-resolution LCD monitor with wide 170-degree viewing angle for easier framing and more reassured shooting.
As with any photographic tool, the COOLPIX P5100 really begins with a quality-crafted body that feels immediately familiar in the hand. Made of solid magnesium alloy (Mg), the body features a quality finish, a comfortable grip covered in grid-pattern rubber, as well as an optical viewfinder to aid composition, particularly in brightly lit conditions. The built-in accessory shoe adds support for Nikon Speedlights and advanced i-TTL flash control.
Latest Pricing at Amazon
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
My husband just bought me a Nikon Coolpix P5100 and the manual is all in Japanese. Is there anyway I could get a operators manual in English?
Thank You,
Penny Noll
@Penny Noll
Set your camera to setup mode, you find a section “language” and click that. select english and click ok. that’s all..
I will wait for the next Nikon Coolpix… Here is what I would like to see in the Nikon P5100. The Canon G9 has a few of these features, that’s why I’m looking at their model…
A filter screw on the end of the lens ! No adapter needed !
I hate trying to hold a pol. filter over the end of a lens !
A three inch LCD viewing screen. The Canon has it !
RAW, RAW, and can you say RAW capture ? Shame on you Nikon ! JEPG has it’s place ( I don’t shoot them) BUT RAW capture IS BETTER !
One other item the Nikon P5100 needs :
A wider lens… Starting at 24 OR 28mm would be outstanding !
One other thing, who cares about shooting at HIGH ISO’s ? When you crank up your ISO with any digital camera, you are asking for digital NOISE in your image. I know some camera’s do a better job with noise than others BUT it’s never been a BIG factor with the kind of images I shoot.