Main
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Find what youre looking for using this question and answer index.
Q&A Index
Taking Photographs
Viewing Photographs
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Retouching Photographs
Menus and Settings
Connections
Maintenance and Optional Accessories
Table of Contents
iv
Introduction 1
Basic Photography 25
v
More on Photography (All Modes) 35
P, S, A, and M Modes 61
vi
Live View 99
Recording and Viewing Movies 107
Special Effects 115
More on Playback 123
vii
Connections 137
Menu Guide 149
viii
ix
Technical Notes 197
x
For Your Safety
A
WARNINGS A
A
xi
A
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Notices
xiii
D5100
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Introduction
The Camera Body
Take a few moments to familiarize yourself with camera controls and displays.
A
Rotate the power switch as shown to turn the camera on.
Rotate the power switch as shown to turn the camera off.
The Mode Dial
The camera offers a choice of the following shooting modes:
A
The Monitor
The monitor can be angled and rotated as shown below.
D
The Information Dis play
Camera settings can be viewed and adjusted in the information display.
Press the P button once to view settings, and again to make changes to settings.
Highlight items using the multi selector and press J to view options for the highlighted item.
A
The Command Dial
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The Viewfinder
D
The response time and brightness of the viewfinder display may vary with temperature.
Camera Menus
d
Using Camera Menus
1
2
3
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14
First Steps
Charge the Battery
1
2
3
2
3
4
A
D
17
Attach a Lens
2
camera body cap.
3
D
Vibration Reduction (VR)
A
D
19
Basic Setup
1
2
3
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5
A
21
Insert a Memory Card
GB
2
3
A
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1 2
3
4
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23
1 2 3
A
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Basic Photography
Battery Level
Number of Exposures Remaining
Battery Level and Card Capacity
Point-and-Shoot Photography (iand j Modes)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
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Creative Photography (Scene Modes)
The Mode Dial
k
l
p
m
n
Other Scenes
o
r
s
t
u
v
w
x
y
z
0
z
More on Photography (All Modes)
2
Release Mode
36
3
A
37
Self-Timer and Remote Control Modes
1
2
3
4
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qw
39
Focus
Focus Mod e
2
40
3
Highlight a focus mode and press J.
To ret urn to shooting mode, press the shutter-release button halfway.
A
D
42
AF-Area Mode
2
3
43
Focus Point Selection
1
(Auto-area AF; 042).
2
A
44
1
2
3
A
45
1
2
A
The Electronic Rangefinder
A
47
Image Quality and Size
Image Quality
2
48
3
Highlight an option and press J.
To ret urn to shooting mode, press the shutter-release button halfway.
A
2
3
Using the Built-in Flash
Using the Built-in Flash: i, k, p, n, o, s, w, and g Modes
1 2
Using the Built-in Flash: P, S, A, M, and 0 Modes
1
2
3
A
+
A
54
ISO Sensitivity
2
3
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56
Interval Timer Photography
1
2
3
D
4
5
A
Restoring Default Settings
The information display turns off briefly while settings are reset.
Settings Accessible from the Information Display
Other Settings
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P, S, A, and M Modes
P, S, A, and M modes offer different degrees of control over shutter speed and aperture:
Shutter Speed and Aperture
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1 2
A
63
Mode S (Shutter-Priority Auto)
1 2
64
Mode A (Aperture-Priority Auto)
1 2
65
Mode M (Manual)
1 2
A
66
Long Time-Exposures (M Mode Only)
1
2 3
4
5
68
Exposure
Metering
2
3
69
1
2
3
A
70
2
3
A
72
Flash Compensation
2
3
A
74
Preserving Detail in Highlights and Shadows
Active D-Lighting
2
3
D
A
76
High Dynamic Range (HDR)
1
2
+
77
3
4
D
78
Multiple Exposure
Creating a Multiple Exposure
1
2
A
3
4
A
Interrupting Multiple Exposures
D
81
White Balance
2
3
A
83
Fine-Tuning White Balance
1
2
3
4
A
1
2
3
4
85
5
6
D
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Copying White Balance from a Photograph
1
2
3
4
5
Bracketing
1
2
89
3
4
A
91
Picture Controls
Selecting a Picture Control
2
3
92
1
2
3
4
A
Picture Control Settings
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Creating Custom Picture Controls
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
A
Sharing Custom Picture Controls
A
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Live View
1
2
3
1
display.
2
3
101
1
display.
2
3
Choosing the Focus Point
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c d e f
Z
b A
A
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107
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Recording and Viewing Movies
1
2
3
4
Press the movie-record button again to end recording.
A
D
1
Highlight Movie settings in the shooting menu and press 2.
2
Highlight the desired item and press 2, then highlight an option and press J.
A
Viewin g Movies
The following operations can be performed:
Movies are indicated by a 1 icon in full-frame playback (0123).
Press J to start playback.
Editing Movies
Trim ming Movi es
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5
6
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Special Effects
Special effects can be used when recording images.
Shooting with Special Effects
A
%
g
(
3
1
2
3
118
Options Available in Live View
gColor Sketch
2
(Miniature Effect
3
4
5
120
3Selective Color
2
3
4
5
6
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More on Playback
To play photographs back, press the K button.
The most recent photograph will be displayed in the monitor.
Full-Fr ame Play back
Photo Information
Photo information is superimposed on images displayed in full-frame playback.
5
6
4
Highlights *
RGB Histogram
A
Shooting Data
A
D5100
N
14
15 16 17
Original Picture Control5........................................92
18 19 20 21
Filter effects 7..............................................................93
Overview
GPS Data *
Thumbnail Playback
To display images in contact sheets of four, nine, or 72 images, press the W button.
Calendar Playback
To view images taken on a selected date, press the W button when 72 images are displayed.
Taking a Closer Look: Playback Zoom
P
The following operations can be performed while zoom is in effect:
132
Protecting Photographs from Deletion
1
2
A
133
Deleting Photographs
Full-Frame, Thumbnail, and Calendar Playback
1
2
3
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
136
Slide Shows
1
2
A
Q
Connections
Before Connecting the Camera
Supplied Software
Supported Operating Systems
1 2
3
4 5
6
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Printing Photographs
Connecting the Printer
2
A
D
3
Printing Pictures One at a Time
1
2
3
141
4
Select Start printing and press J to start printing.
To cancel before all copies have been printed, press J.
D
1
2
3
D
143
4
5
6
A
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1
order item in the playback menu.
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3
145
4
5
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Viewing Photographs on TV
Standard Definition Devices
1
2 3 4
A
2 3 4
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HDMI Options
Output Resolution
Device Control
A
M
o
Menu Guide
Choose a folder for playback:
To display the playback menu, press G and select the D (playback menu) tab.
o
Playback Display Options
Image Review Rotate Tall
CThe Shooting Menu: ShootingO ptions
To display the shooting menu, press G and select the C (shooting menu) tab.
The shooting menu contains the following options:
Reset shooting menu Storage Folder
D
Auto Distortion Control
A
Color Space
A
Long Exposure NR
High ISO NR
Auto ISO sensitivity control
ISO Sensitivity Settings
A
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The following Custom Settings are available:
Reset Custom Settings
Select Yes to restore Custom Settings to their default values.
a: Autofocus
a1: AF-C Priority Selection
a2: Built-in AF-assist Illuminator
a3: Rangefinder
A
b: Exposure
b1: EV Steps for Exposure Cntrl.
c: Timers/AE Lock
c2: Auto off Timers
A
c3: Self-Timer
c4: Remote on Duration
d: Shooting/Display
d2: ISO Display
d1: Beep
d3: File Number Sequence
D
d4: Exposure Delay Mode
Choose the date information imprinted on photographs as they are taken.
Future date (two days remaining) Past date (two days elapsed)
Date Counter
Highlight an option and press J.
Highlight Done in the date counter menu and press J when settings are complete.
d5: Print Date
A
e: Bracketing/Flash
e1: Flash Cntrl for Built-in Flash
A
165
&
f: Controls
f1: Assign E/Fn Button G button ACustom Settings menu
E
v
w
f2: Assign AE-L/AF-L Button
B
C
F
E
BThe Setup Menu: Camera Setup
To display the setup menu, press G and select the B (setup menu) tab.
Note: Depending on camera settings, some items may be grayed out and unavailable.
The setup menu contains the following options:
168
1
2
Monitor Brightness
Info Display Format
The Classic display is shown below.
A
When the camera is rotated 90, shooting information rotates to match camera orientation.
Auto Info Display
Video Mode Flicker Reduction A
Time Zone and Date
Language
Image Comment
172
1
Auto Image Rotation
Image Dust Off Ref Photo
D
A
2
3
D
GPS
A
Eye-Fi Upload
D
Firmware Version
A
NThe Retouch Menu: Creating Retouched Copies
To display the retouch menu, press G and select the N (retouch menu) tab.
A
177
Creating Retouched Copies
1
2
3
4
A
D-Lighting
Red-Eye Correction
Trim
A
Monochrome
Choose from the following filter effects.
Filter Effects
1
181
Color Balance
+
2
3
4
5
6
1
183
2
3
1
Resize
2
3
4
A
Quick Retouch
Straighten
Distortion Control
D
Fisheye
Color Outline
Color Sketch
Perspective Control
Miniature Effect
189
1
2
3
4
Selective Color
5
6
7
191
1
2
3
Side-by-Side Comparison
D
mRecent Settings/OMy Menu
My Menu
1
2
A
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
A
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Technical Notes
The f-number given in lens names is the maximum aperture of the lens.
This camera supports autofocus with AF-S and AF-I CPU lenses only.
A
Compatible Non-CPU Lenses
Non-CPU lenses may only be used when the camera is in mode M.
Selecting another mode disables the shutter release.
Some non-CPU lenses can not be used; see Incompatible Accessories and Non-CPU Lenses, below.
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Optional Flash Units (Speedlights)
1 2
A
D
The Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS)
CLS-Compatible Flash Units
A
The following features are available with CLS-compatible flash units:
Other Flash Units
The following flash units can be used in non-TTL auto and manual modes.
D
Other Accessories
At the time of writing, the following accessories were available for the D5100.
Approved Memory Cards
The following SD memory cards have been tested and approved for use in the D5100.
Other cards have not been tested.
Cards with class 6 or faster write speeds are recommended for movie recording.
1
2
3
4
r e
Caring for the Camera
Storage
Cleaning
D
210
1
2
3
211
Clean at startup/shutdown
1
2
D
212
Manual Cleaning
1
2
3
4
5
7
8
A
D
Caring for the Camera and Battery: Cautions
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Available Settings
The following table lists the settings that can be adjusted in each mode.
Page
Memory Card Capac ity
A
Exposure Program (Mode P)
The exposure program for mode P is shown in the following graph:
f1.4 f22
When matrix metering is used, values over 161/3EV are reduced to 161/3EV.
Troubleshooting
Shooting (All Modes)
Display
A
Page
Shooting (P, S, A, M)
Playback
Miscellaneous
Error Messages
This section lists the indicators and error messages that appear in the viewfinder and monitor.
A
Page
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Specifications
Nikon D5100 Digital Camera
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The AF-S DX NIKKOR 1855mm f/3.55.6G VR
A
D
A
A
For more information, see Getting Good Results with Autofocus (040).
Supported Standards
Battery Life
Index
Symbols
Numerics
A
B
D
E
F
G
H
N
O
P
Q
R
