Digital Camera Review

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 cosmetic alterations to the existing model. The camera is Nikon’s flagship compact camera, with the ‘P’ denoting ‘performance.’ Although it may not visually leap out from a line-up of contemporary compacts, its magnesium alloy body and manual exposure controls belie the unassuming appearance. It aims to offer a greater degree of manual control than the majority of compact cameras and has a strong feature set to help it stand apart. We were actually very impressed with the P5000’s image quality and feature set, and only really complained about the sluggish performance. So has Nikon fixed the P5000’s Achilles’ heel in this update? Lets find out!

Differences compared with P5000

• Faster, hardware-based face-detection, allowing more faces to be identified
• Expeed processing ‘concept’
• Continuous flash shooting mode (3 consecutive frames at ~1fps)
• Distortion control to counteract lens distortion
• Improved user interface
• Marginally larger sensor making the lens slightly wider-angle (35mm vs 36mm)
• Fractionally shorter battery life (240, rather than 250 shots, CIPA standard)
• 1:1 aspect ratio shooting mode
• Can add black borders to images

Unlike the names applied to image processors by many of Nikon’s rivals, Expeed doesn’t specifically refer to any particular technology or set of features. Rather, it is a “digital image-processing concept,” so shouldn’t be taken to imply any kinship to the D3 and D300 DSLR models that share the name, beyond the the use of similar Nikon algorithms and know how.

Key features

• 12 megapixel 1/1.8-inch CCD
• 3.5x Zoom-Nikkor lens
• Lens shift VR (Vibration Reduction)
• ISO 64-1600 (3200 in 5MP mode)
• BSS (Best Shot Selector) identifies and saves the sharpest image automatically from ten sequential shots
• P/A/S/M modes plus 16 scene modes
• Compatibility with system-expanding accessories
• Macro shooting enables shooting from as close as 4cm (1.6 in.)
• SDHC card compatibility
• Approx. 52 MB of internal memory
• Face-priority AF, In-Camera Red-Eye Fix, D-Lighting
• 2.5-in wide viewing angle TFT LCD with anti-reflection coating

The D40x’s Image Optimize setting lets photographers adjust color, contrast and sharpening, as well as other image settings, according to the type of scene or output desired. The supplied EN-EL9 rechargeable battery will allow for shooting up to 520 images per charged based on CIPA battery testing standards.

File System - Exif 2.21, Compliant DCF 2.0 and DPOF White Balance - Auto (TTL white balance with 420-pixel RGB sensor)
Six manual modes with fine-tuning and preset white balance LCD Monitor - 2.5-inch,
230K.
TFT LCD with 170-degree wide-angle viewing Other Compatible Lenses
Nikon F mount with AF coupling and AF contacts Type G or D AF Nikkor Exposure Compensation - plus or minus 5 EV in increments of 1/3 EV Exposure Lock
Exposure locked at detected value with AE-L/AF
L button Self-Timer
2, 5, 10 or 20 seconds Unit Dimensions (Body Only)
Width 5.0 x Depth 2.5 x Height 3.7 inches / Weight
1 pound, 1 ounces.

Features:
• 10.2-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for large, photo-quality prints
• 2.5-inch LCD monitor; 170-degree viewing angle
• 3D Color Matrix Metering II for ideal exposures in almost any lighting condition
• Image optimization functions and in-camera image retouching
• Includes 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor lens
More info here