Nikon launches the D5100 and the ME-1 stereo microphone for digital SLR

Today (05-04-2011), Nikon launched the new D5100, which replaces the D5000.
Among its most interesting specs are the "swing-out" 3 in. 921 K-dot monitor, 16,2 Mp. CMOS sensor, standard ISO from 100-6.400 (extendible to 25.600) and 1080p HD movie mode with continuous AF.

The camera also includes a standard stereo mini-pin jack for the connection of an optional external microphone, such as the new Nikon ME-1, while it is also compatible with instantaneous geo-tagging and – thus – includes CA90 a connector for an (optional) external GPS device.
Nikon specs Eye-Fi WiFi memory card compatibility as well, however, according to the Eye-Fi web site, other SDHC compliant Nikon DSLR's (like the D40 and D60) and quite a few Coolpixes are compatible too.
Click here to review the Eye-Fi/Nikon compatibility chart.

As has become habitual with the entry-level series – also called Baby-Nikons – the D5100 does not include an auto-focus motor, which means that for full auto-focus compatibility a (motorized) AF-S lens must be used.
That said, since the launch of the first motor-less Nikons, a wide range of very respectable, economical AF-S lenses have become available, such as the 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6GII and the 55-200 mm f/4-5.6G among others, which both cost less than US$ 250. After the break: software & full specs.

Although Nikon normally updates its software in parallel with mayor launches, View NX2 does still not support the RAW (NEF) file format of this new camera.
As indicated in the header, Nikon Capture NX 2.2.7 does and Adobe as well, with ACR v. 6.4.1 for CS5, PSE/PRE 9 and v. 3.4.1 for LightRoom.
If you own older versions of these programs, I can recommend the Adobe DNG Converter 6.4.1, which can be downloaded from the same link.
The DNG Converter allows you to batch process your RAW files into DNG format, which can then be opened and processed in any version of Adobe RAW Converter (ACR) since Creative Suite 1 (CS1).
The standard D5100 kit includes the 18-55 mm DX f/3.5-5.6G VR lens, and its announced MRSP is US$ 899,95

D5100 Core Specs

•  Sensor: 16.2 Mp. DX CMOS with image sensor cleaning
•  ISO Sensitivity: ISO 100-6.400; Hi-1 (ISO 12.800); Hi-2 (ISO 25.600)
•  Image Area (pixels): (L) 4928x3264; (M) 3696x2448; (S) 2464x1632
•  Auto-focus System: Nikon Multi-CAM 1000 auto-focus sensor with TTL phase detection. 11 Dynamic AF points (3D-tracking), Single-point AF, Auto-area AF
•  Built-in Flash: guide number approx. 39/12, 43/13 with manual flash (ft/m, ISO 100)
•  Flash Sync Speed: up to 1/200 sec. and bulb
•  Shooting Speed at full resolution: 4 frames per second (fps)
•  Viewfinder: Eye-level penta-mirror single-lens reflex, coverage 95%, magnification 0,78x approx.
•  Monitor: Super Density swing-out, 3.0 in. diagonal; 921.000 dots; 170-degree wide-viewing angle; adjustable brightness. Live View.
•  Focusing Screen: Type B BriteView Clear Matte Mark VII
•  Shutter: electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane; 1/4000 to 30 sec. in steps of 1/3 EV
•  Card Slot: Secure Digital (SD) compatible with SD, SDHC, SDXC
•  File Formats: Compressed 14-bit RAW, RAW+JPG, JPEG, MOV
•  Movie sizes and frame rates: 640 x 424 @ 24 fps; 1280 x 720 @ 24 and 30 fps; 1920 x 1080 @ 24 and 30 fps (1080p Full HD). Maximum recording time: 20 min.
•  Audio: built-in microphone, monaural. Stereo 3,5 mm mini-pin jack for optional external mic.
•  Wifi and GPS compatible
•  Compatible Lenses:
- AF-S, AF-I: All functions supported
- Type G or D AF without auto-focus motor: all functions supported except auto-focus
- Non-CPU: can be used in mode M, but exposure meter does not function. Electronic Rangefinder can be used if maximum aperture is f/5.6 or faster
- IX Nikkor lenses cannot be used

Extended Specs.
•  Shutter Release Modes: Continuous, Delayed remote, Quick Response Remote, Quiet shutter, Self-timer, Single-frame
•  Self-timer: 2, 5, 10, 20 sec. Timer duration electronically controlled
•  Exposure Metering: TTL using 420-pixel RGB sensor. 3D color matrix metering II (type G and D lenses); color matrix metering II (other CPU lenses). Does not meter with non-CPU lenses.
•  Metering Range: 0 to 20 EV (3D Color Matrix or center-weighted metering), 2 to 20 EV (spot metering)
•  Exposure Compensation: ±5 EV in increments of 1/3 or 1/2 EV
•  Picture Control: Landscape, Monochrome, Neutral, Vivid, Portrait, Standard, User-customizable
•  Exposure Modes: Advanced Scene Modes, Auto, Auto (flash off), Aperture-Priority (A), Manual (M), Programmed Auto with flexible Program (P/P*), Shutter-Priority Auto (S), Special Effects.
•  Advanced Scene Modes: Autumn Colors, Beach/Snow, Candlelight, Child, Blossom, Portrait, Close-up, Dusk/Dawn, Food, Landscape, Night Landscape, Night Portrait, Party/Indoor, Pet Portrait, Sports, Sunset
•  Exposure Bracketing: 3 frames ±2EV in 1/3 steps
•  Long Exposure Noise Reduction: Low, Normal, High, Off
•  Active D-Lighting: on/off, 2 exposures bracketing
•  Focus Point: selectable from 11 focus points
•  Focus Lock: locked by pressing shutter-release button halfway
•  Focus Modes: Auto AF-S/AF-C selection (AF-A); Continuous-servo (AF-C); Manual focus (M): Electronic rangefinder can be used; Normal area; Single-servo AF (AF-S); Full-time Servo (AF-A); Wide area; Priority AF available in Live View and D-Movie only; Face-priority available in Live View only
•  Flash Control (CLS)
- Auto aperture: Available with SB-900/SB-800 and CPU lens
- Distance priority manual: Available with SB-900, SB-800 and SB-700
- i-TTL Balanced fill-flash, standard i-TTL flash for digital SLR
- Non-TTL auto: Supported flash units include SB-900, SB-800, SB-80DX, SB-28DX, SB-28, SB-27, and SB-22S
•  Flash Sync Modes: Front-curtain sync; Slow sync; Rear-curtain sync; anti Red-eye; anti Red-eye with slow sync
•  Flash Compensation: -3 to +1 EV in increments of 1/3 EV
•  White Balance: 8 settings and 2-3 frames bracketing
•  Live View Lens servo: Auto-focus (AF): Single-servo AF (AF-S); full-time-servo AF (AF-F)
•  Live View AF-area mode: Face-priority AF, Normal & Wide-area AF, Subject-tracking AF
•  Movie Metering: TTL exposure metering using main image sensor
•  Movie format: MOV, H.264/MPEG-4 Advanced Video Coding, Linear PCM
•  Image Comment: yes
•  Interface: Audio/Video out; HDMI output: type C mini-pin HDMI connector; Hi-speed USB; NTSC; Stereo Microphone Input
•  WiFi Functionality: Eye-Fi compatible
•  External GPS compatible
•  Battery: EN-EL14 rechargeable Li-ion Battery
•  Dimensions : 5 x 3.8 x 3.1 in. / 127mm x 96.5 x 78.7mm (WxHxD)
•  Weight: 19.7 oz. / 560 g

For more information, visit the Nikon USA website.
Click here to download the Nikon D5100 brochure.
Dpreview D5100 in-depth review.