Comments about Nikon Nikon Coolpix P5100 Digital Camera, 12.1 Megapixel, 3.5x Optical Zoom, 4x Digital Zoom, 2.5" LCD Display:

Very disappointed, and online reviews for Pro photographers say the same things. Just does not perform up to industry standard! Unable to focus in low light -- so often you will push the shutter button and NOTHING will happen. True even at "Snapshot" setting, which eliminates all manual overrides.

Settings, once chosen remain until reset. No override for this -- so you can have the flash go off, or forget you have left on "Distortion Correction" (very primitive anyway), and find you do not have Manual settings available even in Program or Manual modes. NOT intuitive, in other words.

Healthy metal construction, but paint was coming off the function buttons after only a few uses! Images cannot be rotated in playback, no live histogram, etc. etc. This camera remainds me of ancient SLR like the Nikon F Photomic. Good images, IF you are willing to twiddle with the camera endlessly before taking a picture. Despite appearances, or that Name: an antique in snazzy clothing.

Comments about Nikon Nikon Coolpix P5100 Digital Camera, 12.1 Megapixel, 3.5x Optical Zoom, 4x Digital Zoom, 2.5" LCD Display:

This camera is capable of taking very good photos. The photos are very sharp and the colors are very accurate. The meter is spot on and the lcd is very large. I purchased this camera to use as a travel camera in place of my DSLR's. For that purpose, it is a great camera. It has many options to satisfy advanced users and yet can be used as a auto everything point and shoot. The only downsides I see are that the focus tends to be slow and difficult in low light. Also, the camera is very small and the buttons and knobs are small and can be hard to manipulate at times. I suspect most buyer find this a plus (its the main reason I bought it) but be advised if you have large hands you may have to be mindful when changinig functions. All and all, if you want great photos in small package, this camera is great.

Comments about Nikon Nikon Coolpix P5100 Digital Camera, 12.1 Megapixel, 3.5x Optical Zoom, 4x Digital Zoom, 2.5" LCD Display:

This a great camera, high MP, full function, easy to use and easy to carry.
The only thing I find not perfect is it's battery cover doesn't have a lock, so it's possible to open the cover accidently. But so far it's not a big issue.

Comments about Nikon Nikon Coolpix P5100 Digital Camera, 12.1 Megapixel, 3.5x Optical Zoom, 4x Digital Zoom, 2.5" LCD Display:

Purchesed the camera about a week ago from Adorama. Initial test indicate the camera will indeed produce a sharp 20' x 30" photograph. I shoot mostly from a tripod and having aperture priority is very handy. It has really good macro capability. This camera was purchased to back up my D200 and to replace it in situation where I can't take the DSLR. My only concern was that the lens housing seemed to rattle around a bit but seems to have no affect on quality.
I am very pleased with the camera. It has a good bright LCD easy to fallow menus. It has all the necessary settings, shutter & f-stop, I like having control over my depth of field. I would recommend this camera to anyone who likes knowing just what his camera is doing when he shoots.

Comments about Nikon Nikon Coolpix P5100 Digital Camera, 12.1 Megapixel, 3.5x Optical Zoom, 4x Digital Zoom, 2.5" LCD Display:

Macro range is close. This, combined with vibration reduction and high resolution, gives unbelievable results. The attached image is of the tiny statue centered on the back of a $10 bill. The cubes are grains of table salt. All I did was crop, no other image adjustments.

Comments about Nikon Nikon Coolpix P5100 Digital Camera, 12.1 Megapixel, 3.5x Optical Zoom, 4x Digital Zoom, 2.5" LCD Display:

I bought this camera from Adorama as a backup to my SLR Nikons. It is excellent for that use except for not being able to shoot RAW. But as a backup, you could not ask for more.

Those who insist on RAW shooting capability can look to the Canon G9 which also has 12+ Megapixel resolution but does allow shooting in RAW. I just find that the Canon does not "feel" right in my hands, possibly merely because I am unfamiliar with their buttons and menus. Handle both cameras before deciding.

When I first got the P5100 into my sweaty hands, I was a bit surprised at how light it was, despite having a sturdy metal body. At times, I forget it's hanging from my neck, something that never happens with my D200! The buttons and features are very similar to Nikon's DSLR's, so advanced photographers will feel right at home with it.

This camera features a hotshoe for my Nikon flashes but they are so much bigger than the camera, it becomes top-heavy.

What really blew me away is the excellent ability for macro shots. The 12.1 Megapixel is probably why it works so well. And adjusting white balance is a snap, if you like to tinker.

It also has a small viewfinder, but that is mostly useless because the view is so tiny and has no info displayed. You will have to use the excellent 2.5 inch LCD screen most of the time, but this is the best and brightest LCD screen I have seen.

For the casual user, just moving up toward SLRs, this might just be the perfect camera. You can shoot in program where the camera does all your thinking, turn on the Vibration Reduction and get excellent photos. Or when you get some time to yourself, you can play with the Manual, Shutter priority and Aperture priority features and learn a lot before you decide to plunk down the big bucks for something more professional. For shooting family pics or vacation shots, I don't know a better camera to buy.

All things taken into account, an excellent camera.
It would be a great camera if Nikon added RAW capabilities.