Nikon now has quite a few DSLRs in the low to mid range price bracket. Starting with the 25k D3000, the D3100 (the only 30k DLSR that can record smooth 1080p video) going up to the 38k D5000. So as you can imagine, the new 40k D5100 slots in just above the D5000, both in terms of features and price. The D5100 shares some features (and the sensor) from the more expensive D7000, but because of the price, is firmly a midrange contender. Pick it up, and you may be surprised at how small the D5100 really is.

In fact, if you have large hands, you may find it a tad uncomfortable to hold. At about 560 grams, it's not too heavy either. Looking around the camera, the first thing you'll notice is that the D5100 has a vari-angle LCD — but not like the D5000's limited system — this one swivels out from the left, can be closed shut and can be angled out in any direction . In fact, the vari-angle LCD is almost exactly the same as its closest competitor, the Canon EOS 600D. The LCD itself is a pin-sharp , highres affair with adjustable brightness.

You'll also notice that the camera has stellar build quality, with the nice speckled finish found in high-end DSLRs with magnesium bodies. There are a few changes in the control scheme as compared to the other Nikons (the dedicated video recording button is now near the shutter button, and the live view button has been replaced by a spring-loaded lever located near the mode dial), but it's nothing that you won't get used to. Other specs include 11 autofocus points, 1080p video recording with selectable frame rates (30/25/24fps) and ISO levels adjustable from 100 to 25,600.

While recording video, the fast phase-detection type autofocus system is not available, but a slower, contrast-detection type of autofocus is. While it generally is accurate, the slow response of the focus means that you will be better off by focusing manually while taking video. A nice feature is the integrated HDR(High Dynamic Range) mode — with this active, the camera automatically takes multiple images at different exposures and combines them to create a single photograph. The resultant image has better details in the shadow areas without making other areas too bright. Obviously, this works best if you use a tripod and if the subject is stationary.

In conclusion, the D5100 offers a lot for the asking price: excellent high ISO results, fantastic quality video and great battery life — over 600 shots with mixed use of the flash. Direct competition exists in the form of the Canon EOS 600D, and you would be hard pressed to tell them apart in terms of quality. The only reason to choose one over the other would be if one control scheme suits you better over the other or if you already have lenses/accessories of a particular brand.

Specs: 16.2MP CMOS sensor, Expeed 2 processor 4fps continuous shooting, SD/SDXC card slot, 3-inch vari-angle display, 1080p HD video recording, mini HDMI out, 560 grams