Nikon D5100 User Manual

No reproduction in any form of this manual, in whole or in part (except for brief quotation in critical articles or reviews), may be made without writ

2XGetting to Know the CameraTake a few moments to familiarize yourself with camera controls and displays. You may find it helpful to bookmark this sec

3XThe Camera Body (Continued)178910131716151211142021192218345621 Viewfinder eyepiece...312 Rubber eyecup ...313 G (men

X4The Mode DialThe camera offers a choice of the following shooting modes:P, S, A, and M Modes (0 43)Select these modes for full control over camera s

5XThe MonitorThe monitor can be angled and rotated as shown below.Normal useFold the monitor against the camera face out. This position is recommended

X6The Information DisplayCamera settings can be viewed and adjusted in the information display. Press the P button once to view settings, and again to

7XThe Viewfinder12 312101316146 7 8411 15591 Focus points2 Focus indicator...193 Autoexposure (A

8XCamera MenusMost shooting, playback, and setup options can be accessed from the camera menus. To view the menus, press the G button.Using Camera Men

9XFollow the steps below to navigate the menus.1 Display the menus.Press the G button to display the menus.2 Highlight the icon for the current menu.P

X106 Display options.Press 2 to display options for the selected menu item.7 Highlight an option.Press 1 or 3 to highlight an option.8 Select the high

11X❚❚ A Custom Settings❚❚ B Setup Menu Options* Only available when compatible Eye-Fi memory card is inserted.❚❚ N Retouch Menu Options❚❚ m Recent Set

Product DocumentationThank you for your purchase of a Nikon single-lens reflex (SLR) digital camera. The documentation for this product consists of a

12XFirst StepsAlways turn the camera off before inserting or removing batteries or memory cards.1 Charge the battery.If a plug adapter is supplied, ra

13X3 Insert a memory card (available separately).Check to be sure the card is in the correct orientation.4 Attach a lens.Be careful to prevent dust fr

X145 Open the monitor.Open the monitor as shown. Do not use force.6 Choose a language and set the camera clock.Turn the camera on. A language-selectio

15X7 Focus the viewfinder.Rotate the diopter adjustment control until the viewfinder display and focus point are in sharp focus. When operating the co

X16A The Write Protect SwitchMemory cards are equipped with a write protect switch to prevent accidental loss of data. When this switch is in the “loc

17ssBasic Photography and PlaybackBefore shooting, turn the camera on and check the battery level and number of exposures remaining in the information

18sTaking PhotographsThis section describes how to take photographs in i and j modes, automatic “point-and-shoot” modes in which the majority of setti

19s6 Check the indicators in the viewfinder.When the focus operation is complete, the selected focus points will be briefly highlighted, a beep will s

20sA Auto Meter-OffThe viewfinder and information display will turn off if no operations are performed for about 8 seconds (auto meter-off), reducing

21sCreative Photography (Scene Modes)The camera offers a choice of “scene” modes. Choosing a scene mode automatically optimizes settings to suit the s

iFor Your Safety ...

22spChildUse for snapshots of children. Clothing and background details are vividly rendered, while skin tones remain soft and natural.mSportsFast shu

23sOther ScenesThe following scenes can be selected by rotating the mode dial to h and rotating the command dial until the desired scene appears in th

24stBeach/SnowCapture the brightness of sunlit expanses of water, snow, or sand. The built-in flash and AF-assist illuminator turn off.uSunsetPreserve

25sxCandlelightFor photographs taken by candlelight. The built-in flash turns off; use of a tripod is recommended to prevent blur when lighting is poo

26sBasic PlaybackPhotographs are automatically displayed for a few seconds after shooting. If no photograph is displayed in the monitor, the most rece

27sTo display images in “contact sheets” of four, nine, or 72 images (thumbnail playback), press the W button. Use the multi selector or command dial

z28zMore on PhotographyChoose from the following release modes:1 Place the cursor in the information display.If shooting information is not displayed

29z3 Choose a release mode.Highlight a release mode and press J. To return to shooting mode, press the shutter-release button halfway.A The Memory Bu

30zSelf-Timer and Remote Control ModesThe self-timer and optional ML-L3 remote control (0 67) can be used to reduce camera shake or for self-portraits

31zD Before Using the Remote ControlBefore using the remote control for the first time, remove the clear plastic battery-insulator sheet.A Cover the V

iiFor Your SafetyTo prevent damage to your Nikon product or injury to yourself or to others, read the following safety precautions in their entirety b

32zFocusThis section describes the focus options available when photographs are framed in the viewfinder.Focus ModeChoose from the following focus mod

33z3 Choose a focus mode.Highlight a focus mode and press J. To return to shooting mode, press the shutter-release button halfway.A Predictive Focus T

34zAF-Area ModeChoose how the focus point for autofocus is selected. Note that d (Dynamic-area AF) and f (3D-tracking (11 points)) are not available w

35zImage Quality and SizeTogether, image quality and size determine how much space each photograph occupies on the memory card. Larger, higher quality

36zImage SizeImage size is measured in pixels. Choose from the following options:1 Place the cursor in the information display.If shooting information

37zUsing the Built-in FlashThe camera supports a variety of flash modes for photographing poorly lit or backlit subjects. ❚❚ Using the Built-in Flash:

38zFlash Mode The flash modes available vary with shooting mode:1 Place the cursor in the information display.If shooting information is not displayed

39zA Flash ModesThe flash modes listed on the previous page may combine one or more of the following settings, as shown by the flash mode icon:• AUTO

40zISO Sensitivity“ISO sensitivity” is the digital equivalent of film speed. The higher the ISO sensitivity, the less light needed to make an exposure

41zInterval Timer PhotographyThe camera is equipped to take photographs automatically at preset intervals.1 Select Interval timer shooting.Press the G

iiiAObserve proper precautions when handling the charger• Keep dry. Failure to observe this precaution could result in fire or electric shock.• Do not

42z4 Choose the number of intervals.Press 4 or 2 to highlight number of intervals (i.e., the number of times the camera shoots); press 1 or 3 to chang

43zP, S, A, and M ModesP, S, A, and M modes offer different degrees of control over shutter speed and aperture. See the Reference Manual (on CD) for m

x44xLive View/MoviesFollow the steps below to take photographs in live view.1 Rotate the live view switch.The mirror will be raised and the view throu

45xFocusing in Live ViewFollow the steps below to choose focus and AF-area modes and position the focus point.❚❚ Choosing a Focus ModeThe following fo

x46❚❚ Choosing an AF-Area ModeIn modes other than i and j, the following AF-area modes can be selected in live view:1 Place the cursor in the informat

47x❚❚ Choosing the Focus PointThe method for selecting the focus point for autofocus varies with the option selected for AF-area mode (0 46).6 (face-p

x48A The Live View DisplayItem Description 0qShooting modeThe mode currently selected with the mode dial. Select i or j for automatic scene selection

49xA Automatic Scene Selection (Scene Auto Selector)If live view is selected in i or j mode, the camera will automatically analyze the subject and sel

x50D Shooting in Live View ModeTo prevent light entering via the viewfinder from interfering with exposure, remove the rubber eyecup and cover the vie

51xRecording MoviesMovies can be recorded in live view.1 Rotate the live view switch.The mirror is raised and the view through the lens is displayed i

ivNotice for Customers in CanadaCAUTIONThis Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.ATTE NTIO NCet appareil numérique de la classe B

x52A Taking Photographs During Movie RecordingTo end movie recording, take a photograph, and exit to live view, press the shutter-release button all t

53x❚❚ Movie SettingsChoose movie quality and sound options.• Movie quality: Choose from the following options. The frame rate depends on the option cu

54xViewing MoviesMovies are indicated by a 1 icon in full-frame playback (0 26). Press J to start playback.The following operations can be performed:1

55%%Special EffectsSpecial effects can be used when recording images.The following effects can be selected by rotating the mode dial to q and rotating

56%%Night VisionUse under conditions of darkness to record monochrome images at high ISO sensitivities (with some noise in the form of randomly-spaced

57%3 Selective ColorAll colors other than the selected colors are recorded in black and white. The effect can be chosen during live view (0 44). The b

58%Options Available in Live View❚❚ g Color Sketch1 Select live view.Rotate the live view switch to raise the mirror and display the view through the

59%3 Display options.Press J to display miniature effect options.4 Adjust options.Press 4 or 2 to choose the orientation of the area that will be in f

60%4 Choose the color range.Press 1 or 3 to increase or decrease the range of similar hues that will be included in the final image. Choose from value

61QQViewNX 2Install the supplied software to display and edit photographs and movies that have been copied to your computer. Before installing ViewNX

vUse Only Nikon Brand Electronic AccessoriesNikon cameras are designed to the highest standards and include complex electronic circuitry. Only Nikon b

Q623 Start the installer.Click Install and follow the on-screen instructions.4 Exit the installer.The following software is installed:5 Remove the ins

63QUsing ViewNX 2Step 1—Copy Pictures to the Computer1 Choose how pictures will be copied to the computer.Choose one of the following methods:• Direct

Q643 Click Start Transfer.At default settings, all the pictures on the memory card will be copied to the computer.4 Terminate the connection.If the ca

65nnTechnical NotesThis camera supports autofocus with AF-S and AF-I CPU lenses only. AF-S lenses have names beginning with AF-S, AF-I lenses names be

66nOther AccessoriesAt the time of writing, the following accessories were available for the D5100.Power sources• Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL14

67nApproved Memory CardsThe following SD memory cards have been tested and approved for use in the D5100. Cards with class 6 or faster write speeds ar

68nCaring for the CameraStorageWhen the camera will not be used for an extended period, remove the battery and store it in a cool, dry area with the t

69nCaring for the Camera and Battery: CautionsDo not drop: The product may malfunction if subjected to strong shocks or vibration.Keep dry: This produ

70nDo not touch the shutter curtain: The shutter curtain is extremely thin and easily damaged. Under no circumstances should you exert pressure on the

71nBatteries: Batteries may leak or explode if improperly handled. Observe the following precautions when handling batteries:• Use only batteries appr

viD Use Only Nikon Brand AccessoriesOnly Nikon brand accessories certified by Nikon specifically for use with your Nikon digital camera are engineered

72nError MessagesThis section lists the indicators and error messages that appear in the viewfinder and monitor.A Warning IconsA flashing d in the mon

73nNot available if Eye-Fi card is locked(/k(blinks)Eye-Fi card is locked (write protected). Slide card write-protect switch to “write” position.This

74nFlash errors (blinks)Error occurred updating firmware for optional flash unit. Contact Nikon-authorized service representative.Error. Press shutter

75nSpecifications❚❚ Nikon D5100 Digital CameraTypeType Single-lens reflex digital cameraLens mount Nikon F mount (with AF contacts)Effective angle of

76nLensCompatible lenses Autofocus is available with AF-S and AF-I lenses. Autofocus is not available with other type G and D lenses, AF lenses (IX NI

77nISO sensitivity (Recommended Exposure Index)ISO 100 – 6400 in steps of 1/3 EV. Can also be set to approx. 0.3, 0.7, 1, or 2 EV (ISO 25600 equivalen

78nWhite balanceWhite balance Auto, incandescent, fluorescent (7 types), direct sunlight, flash, cloudy, shade, preset manual, all except preset manua

79n• Unless otherwise stated, all figures are for a camera with a fully-charged battery operating at an ambient temperature of 20 °C (68 °F).• Nikon r

80nNikon reserves the right to change the specifications of the hardware and software described in this manual at any time and without prior notice. N

81nA Battery LifeThe number of shots that can be taken with fully-charged batteries varies with the condition of the battery, temperature, and how the

1XXIntroductionConfirm that the package contains the following items:Purchasers of the lens kit option should confirm that the package also includes a

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No reproduction in any form of this manual, in whole or in part (except for brief quotation in critical articles or reviews), may be made without writ