Best Budget DSLR: Nikon D5100 Review

- If you've been recently longing for a professional camera without any sense of decisiveness, let us introduce you to the Nikon D5100! It isn't the newest or coolest DSLR on the market, but it'll get the job done whilst maintaining superb picture/video quality and sensor durability.
Don't believe us? Check out the many gently used D5100s on eBay and Amazon currently! Expect to only pay around $300!
DISCLOSURES: All Genius links are tied to our Amazon Associate account, from which we earn a small sales commission. Links containing a 'bit.ly' reference forwarding to Newegg are tied to our CJ account, from which we earn a small sales commission. All sponsored links and comments will contain the word "SPONSOR" or "AD." Any additional revenue stream will be disclosed with similar verbiage.

[@kelvincesar_]

My first dslr too. I bought it in 2016 and it still a good camera, i used it for a lot o things. astrophotography, macro photos, even for night clicks at a part time job in a nightclub... totally worth it.

[@aldrinvillacrusis7118]

Thanks for the technical support

[@ThatMillennialDad]

The watch at 4:30 got me shook. You've got my LIKE sir!

[@msahai7017]

Really a very good review!! Thanks

[@manusk40]

Hi Greg I'm getting this camera thanks for the great review !

[@MJans]

I've been using this camera for 8 months now. My first ever dslr. A few months ago I finally learned how to properly tune it and set up my own controlls etc. I thought this was a weak camera untill I started using manual mode. And I just haven't found many situtations where I feel this body limits me. I recommend any entry level photographer to get this. Especially entry level youtubers, just because of that flip out screen. I find myself using that flipout screen every single day as I like to shoot inside of stuff and through stuff. And I also do alot of filming where I walk backwards. If you flip the screen, you can hold the camera sideways and also walk sideways which makes life so much easier. This is a fantastic camera and is still a valid option in 2018. This will make you money for sure if that's your goal!

[@daleschleicher7794]

I have the d5100 for 4 years now. my first DSLR very cool and a lot of fun. works great I can hand it to my 12 and 15 grandkids and shot some photo too.

[@oOcitizenOo]

Totally agree with you

[@josephisaguy]

What abt nowadays?

[@Maisterone]

Just bought this used for 150 dollars and i love it :)

[@sharuf3388]

Thanks a million! Great video! Quick question: I record a youtube channel with a puppet. I need a DLSR that can record while livestreaming to a monitor. I bought a canon Powershot and it has a hdmi connection but inly to preview recorded picture and videos. Any help greatly alpreciated! : )

[@duckguide4109]

Btw, I LOVED the ducks in the background at the park at 3:23

[@jshodan84]

there's a way to turn off the red square in the center of the display? I want to use the camera for live streaming?

[@Dinoxt12]

Good video...thanks

[@yashtiwari6702]

Awesome video

[@MannySilva]

Love this camera, I use a Toshiba sd card with WIFI so I can review my videos and pics on my phone realtime.

[@T6451]

Excellent review! Thanks! I was just about to get rid of my D5100 for a d5300 because of the 39 focus pts. I'm gonna have to think about i it now. :)

[@bobrompuvan]

thank for information sir🤝

[@Sebarinnatura]

Hi, I watched your video clips. I have a Nikon5100 camera, and this symbol keeps flashing to me ...?, In the modes, M, A, S, P ..., I understood that there was something wrong. Can you help me? Thanks.

[@luilui5134]

Good message in your video - and it is still true. In the meantime you can get a used D5100 much cheaper - i just found one for 103 bucks on ebay - and it is still a good deal!

[@razor.fx_]

I have been using this camera for almost 6 years

[@elbertmilliam6342]

Hello I am planning to buy this camera on monday. Is it very great for a beginner like me? Thank you for your feed back.

[@razor.fx_]

@@elbertmilliam6342 It is great but there are much better camera than this. if you are a complete beginner and your budget is low then you can buy this. you should also check out the canon m50 review on youtube

[@LRock-]

So i want to get one for my KZbin channel. Would you recommend this for my channel and will it give me a full screen unlike my phone.

[@SakhiRe]

Which canon camera will go similar with nikon 5100?

[@MichaelAChang]

It's still a relevant camera, and the available firmware hacks really extends its capability which every D5100 owner should add to their cameras.

[@willg125]

What firmware hacks can you perform?

[@LaNcerblade100]

I wanna know too

[@oldtwinsna8347]

@@willg125 couple years since i've used it, but allowed for locking the aperture and exposure in video mode. the stock firmware could not do this so made high quality videos difficult to do. also allowed for higher bitrate. 1080p camera so totally still useable today.

[@elementasgAming]

Great Video

[@GregSalazar]

Thank you!

[@Franzzzz09]

I've recorded a video and i can't hear the sound from the cam. is that normal?

[@extantinfo]

Great camera with budget. And great review too.

[@donduhorche9515]

its 2019 now , do u think its worth buying the D5100 now or the D7000

[@luccaoklopcic5851]

yes

[@hyperforchrist3668]

It's 2021 now and I shot a great muzic video with it

[@sahilkhullar006]

I still have this, bought it in 2013-14 i guess. Planning to upgrade to d5600 but then i end up buying a new lens 😅

[@faz7tube]

thanks

[@mustafademiral8279]

Canon 650D or D5100 which one?

[@alexhagen5105]

Would you take this camera over the d3200?

[@digitalizalochannel]

Maybe

[@duckguide4109]

I got a used one earlier. $260 for camera, battery, charger, 3x 2gb SD cards and a heavy duty tripod. Oh, and only 7952 photos on the shutter count. OH..and a 55-200mm lens. (Either that or an 18-55mm kit lens which I’ve already got) Would y’all say that’s a good deal?

[@duckguide4109]

It’s a MAJOR upgrade from my D40 with 120k photos on the shutter and D90 with 55k photos (both were also bought used) Edit. The d40 was from a friend who had taken it apart and took the IR blocking filter out so it’s a full spectrum/UV/IR camera-he gave it to me

[@sorayacatfriend]

why so less views?!

[@jonathangutierrez3607]

I've been told that a great starting camera is the Canon 80d, but it's kinda pricey for $1,000. Is the Nikon d5100 a good replacement or what are the differences between both cameras. I'll use it mainly to film KZbin videos and the occasional event coverage.

[@joeldsouza9326]

Jonathan Gutierrez yeah it is

[@swumimobile5843]

Do you need a mic to be able to record 1080p video with sound?

[@mejbishow5297]

no,it has a mic,but i would recommend an external one,like rode micro

[@dennisprow7576]

It's 2019 and I'm use to using my galaxy note camera, I just one a bid on a 5100 on Ebay. Is it a good buy still for someone who knows literally nothing about cameras?

[@T3L3cast3r]

Hi, maybe a bit late to reply, but who knows, it might still help. I bought this camera several years ago and still use it. I didn't know anything about photography when I bought it but this camera has enough options to learn a lot before you need a fancier camera. I still haven't found the need to upgrade even though it is 8 years old by now.

[@dennisprow7576]

@@T3L3cast3r I've not had a newer camera before this is the nicest newest camera I've had and I absolutely love it.

[@omgthisplayer]

Need help whats another good camera with that kind of flip screen

[@angadbhatia3946]

canon eos 80d

[@sharuf3388]

Cannon powershot sx 60

[@najwaboumehdi5926]

Sony a1500

[@nathantrinh23]

I have the same tripod

[@applepie2806]

I hate when people judge a camera or a product by it's specs. As many content creator say. "Skill matters more than gear".

[@brandinwilliams4113]

i really like this camera too. hacking it lets you get the most out of it.

[@Kyaiel]

how do you hack a camera ?

[@theendurance]

Theres hacks for the firmware that you can download that unlocks more features of it

[@brandinwilliams4113]

+Kevin Perez /watch?v=jIB1rpAGZ54 it's in the links

[@Kyaiel]

brandin williams thanks man

[@brandinwilliams4113]

no problem

[@unknowncreatives5252]

Its 2020's Christmas Hope you can give away this cameraa aspiring photographer

[@LRock-]

Did you say 300 dollars is a fair price

[@MysteryofScience]

are you wear casio watch 😂😂

[@jacked_geek]

The quality is shitty - looks like a movie from the 90s (I thought I was watching Fresh Prince of Bel Air). Add a couple of bucks more and get something from this generation like the Sony A5000.

[@angadbhatia3946]

well it was released 5 years ago so what do u expect

[@jonaqpetla_]

Given how shitty Sony's kit lens is, I'd still recommend DSLRs to beginners and casual users looking for a good camera.