Nikon D5100 | 16.2MP DSLR Camera

Released in 2011, the Nikon D5100 is a wonderfully creative first DSLR. Easy enough to begin with, capable enough to grow into, and just unusual enough to make learning feel like play. Its automatic and Scene modes can handle the technical decisions while you find the frame, and it's fully articulating screen swings outward and rotates so you can photograph from high above your head, down near the ground, around an awkward angle, or with the camera turned toward you.

Inside is a 16.2-megapixel Nikon DX sensor paired with the EXPEED 2 processor (the same sensor-and-processor combination Nikon used in the more advanced D7000). It produces beautifully detailed photographs, rich color, strong dynamic range, and very capable low-light image quality in a camera designed to welcome a newer photographer rather than intimidate one.

The D5100 is friendly on the first day, but it is not only a beginner camera. Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, full Manual exposure, 14-bit NEF RAW files, interchangeable lenses, an optical viewfinder, four-frame-per-second shooting, in-camera HDR, Full HD video, and an external microphone input give you room to take a class, start a photo project, make a tiny film, build a lens collection, and discover what your photographs look like when every choice becomes yours.

Why You’ll Love It

• A Beginner Camera With Creative Energy: Automatic and Scene modes make the first day approachable, while the flexible screen and deep feature set keep learning playful.
• A Fully Articulating Screen: Compose near the ground, above a crowd, overhead, on a tripod, or with the camera facing you—without becoming a human pretzel.
• Beautiful 16.2MP DX Image Quality: The large sensor captures rich color, strong dynamic range, natural texture, and plenty of detail for editing and printing.
• The Heart of the Nikon D7000: The D5100 uses the same DX sensor and EXPEED 2 processor found in Nikon’s more advanced D7000.
• Easy Now, Capable Later: Auto and 16 Scene modes welcome a beginner, while P/A/S/M exposure modes provide real room to grow.
• 14-Bit RAW Photography: Save information-rich NEF files with generous flexibility for refining exposure, color, highlights, shadows, and white balance.
• Real Background Blur: Pair the camera with a compatible wide-aperture lens to create genuine optical depth around portraits, food, pets, and everyday details.
• Professionally Restored and Ready: Every D5100 is individually inspected, tested, cleaned, and prepared by the Cute Camera Co. team.