Customer Reviews
Great camera! 
2008-05-30
It's the perfect almost professional little camera, with the possibility of adding a wide angle lens.
Nikon CoolPix P5100 REFURBISHED 
2008-05-23
Very disappointed in this purchase. Device was defective. Not all of the items were included in the shippment.
I purchased another identical camera from eBay that was used. This used device was in much better condition. The shipment included all of the items that come with a new camera.
Powerful camera in a small package 2008-05-21
This camera has features that would make it an excellent backup for a high level amateur, and dare I say, a professional photographer.
The video feature is most handy.
It has enough features which allows the professional good control over exposure, but, the automatic or preset exposure modes are excellent overall.
The hot shoe for the flash is actually usable, and gives us more flexibility, and D-Lighting dramatically enhances the camera's dynamic range.
If I were to have a "minicomplaint", it is the fact that the viewing screen does not swivel, which would give this camera even more flexibility.
A Point & Shoot - That Shoots Like An SLR 2008-05-17
My primary camera is a Nikon D300! I have times where using this camera is simply not prudent. The Nikon 5100 is frankly the best possible answer! It's F stop is adjustable down to approx. 2.8 and the lens lets in plenty of light. The addition of the adapter ring allows you to use "Wide Angle" & "Telephoto" lens made by Nikon!
Rockin Cam 2008-04-28
I have had this camera for a few weeks and am astounded with the quality of the images it takes. I zoomed in on a gecko on the screen on my back porch and snapped away. The gecko had a fly in its mouth and the camera caught the yellow and black markings on the bug and the veins in the wings. highly recommended.
Disappointed 
2008-07-10
I have been a Nikon digital user for several years, usually having multiples for different uses. My main camera is currently a D40X SLR, but I like to have a pocket size also. I bought the Coolpix P5100 to upgrade from a Coolpix 4200 which I had for 4 years. It was highly recommended by sales people at 2 different camera stores over other models I was considering. But 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. It is extremely slow to focus and take the picture (the worst I have ever used). It does great on landscapes or posed pictures, but forget anything that is moving, such as kids at play or animals. It seems not to be able to focus on moving objects at all. Other features (or lack of them) that I dislike:
- the mode dial does not have frequently used modes such as landscape or sports; you have to use scene and then cursor through a whole list of modes to get to them (very annoying)
- I'm used to using the viewfinder (no other option with the SLRs), and monitors are difficult to see in sunlight. This camera has a viewfinder, but there is no way to turn the monitor off (there is with my old 4200), so the battery drains much faster.
I expected something better than what I had, but I didn't get it. Sorry, Nikon, but you let me down on this one. I would return it if I could.
I spilled beer on it and it still works 
2008-06-21
OK, so it was my "friend" who spilled my beer on the camera; I probably shouldn't have left it on the table, but it's so light and fun to use that I like to keep it handy. (The beer only splashed onto the front lens area, so not much damage. I was on it right away with napkins then cleaned it later with rubbing alcohol. The auto lens cover still sticks a little, but no long term effects as of yet.)
Two months ago, I was shopping for a camera for my first ever trip to Yellowstone Nat'l Park. I was torn between the Nikon P5100 and the Canon G9. I agonized over all the reviews and sample pictures. The Canon was great, but cost $200 more and weighed a lot more. The Nikon was lightweight, more pocket friendly and still 12 megapixels.
Believe it or not, this is my first digital camera. I have a couple film cameras, a Nikon 35Ti point and shoot and a Canon T90 SLR. I used to be a professional, toting bags of heavy equipment with me everywhere, and I wanted to get as far away from that as possible, even if it meant sacrificing "picture quality." And by that, I mean the difference between something you'd see in a scrapbook versus in a published book. This little camera does a great job; overall I was very happy with it. Most of my disappointments came from the rustiness of my own photography skills.
However I did hit a enough snags to reduce the rating to 4 stars. The camera sometimes had a hard time metering, especially at the Paint Pots or waterfalls. I usually used either Aperture or Shutter priority, depending on whether I wanted depth of field or stop-action -- I love having that ability. But when the meter was fooled, I would have to switch to Manual. I never tried the preprogrammed settings (Portrait, Landscape, etc). The other problem was focusing -- the camera does great with people, but terrible on landscapes with no contrast (again, the paint pots or thermal features with lots of steam). I found that setting the focus from AF to landscape helped a lot, but I was frustrated enough to take away a star.
So I'm sure I would have gotten much better pictures had I spent $1500 on a new SLR and lenses and a tripod and hauled 40 pounds of equipment with me instead of carrying a $300 camera (with the extra telephoto extender too) that fits in my pocket. But would I have had as much fun? I doubt it.
P.S. I spilled coffee on it too. That I can't blame on anyone but me.
Coolpix P5100: Blurry Pictures: A Real Disappointment ! 2008-06-13
I upgraded my Coolpix P5000 to Coolpix P5100 for enhanced image quality and overall performance. I was so disappointed that my Coolpix P5100 yielded blurry and hazy pictures taken in broad daylight, even with its "fine" mode on. Its indoor performance was even more deplorable (even under well-lit conditions for shooting still-life objects). The major factor contributing to Coolpix P5100's poor picture quality is probably its slow-reactive auto focus, which takes a few seconds (and several seconds when shooting indoor or in a shaded area outdoor) to lock in a target. If you are looking for a digital point-and-shoot with high MP, you should definitely avoid Coolpix P5100. I do digitized photo repair as a hobby, and therefore am highly attentive (and sensitive) to image details. Believe me, you will be disappointed with Coolpix P5100, if you have a refined taste for image quality. It looks cool, but its pictures are clearly not.
Nice little package...but images are noisy above ISO 100 2008-06-06
I have the G7 (one model before the G9) and also this P5100. First the good of the P5100.
1) Size matters...it fits easily in a pocket or in my wife's purse!
2) Weight...much lighter...she doesn't realize it when i put it in her purse!
3) Can use with my nikon SB-800 flash for nice bounced flash photography, allowing creative portraits or images.
4) Decent images if in nicely lit areas
The Bad:
1) Very very ...very slowwwwww focusing...and i mean SLOW!!
2) images above ISO 400 are so noisy, that its is not usable for any decent printing
3) video images are of so-so quality (compared to G7)
If size and weight don't matter, i seriously recommend the Canon G7 or G9. Image quality and response time are also better on the canon. Though i love the nikon small form factor.
Nice camera 2008-06-02
A small camera that achieves big results. A must have for nikonists that want to forget the weight of digital reflexs for a while.
Great value for price, decent video capabilities, and many special (and useful) modes of exposure.
Only two points to improve: the wideangle is not too good, and the optical visor is not too exact. If you can live with that, this is one of the best compacts you can buy. Specially if like to take control of what's happening.
