Nikon D5100 16.2 MP Digital SLR Camera - Black (Kit w/ 18-55mm and 55-300mm Lenses)

This camera is the best you could buy in its price range, even the kit lenses are not too bad. Plus points:
the camera has very efficient 16.2mp sensor which is same as d7000, and there is no compromise over picture quality.
The camera is much smaller, much lighter than d7000, but still feels good in hands.
The d5100 has large swivel screen which is very useful for odd position shots, and also saves from getting scratched in safe storage position.
The controls are easy to view on screen and easy to use, once you get used to them there is not much to remember.
The view finder is a little bit off for close shots, but no big deal, live view can be used for close ups.
Autofocus is the best you could get in live view.
Good live view even shows the white balance results so you could well predict the final outcome.
This camera discarded the variable perspective lenses as it can be achieved in the camera through creative effects.
This camera only takes AF-s lenses, I use 16-85, and the details achieved can not be better. It's the best lens you can buy for this zoom range.
The battery life is very good, did shot a wedding once, 170 shots and the battery was still full at the end of the night. Never needed a battery pack.
Hd videos are amazingly Sharp and detailed.
I have used number of other cameras including nikon d7000, d70, d90, Canon 40d, 400d, 500d, pentax kx, ist-dl. And the d5100 is I liked the best.
NR

This is a straight competitor to the 600D by Canon. Besides the fact this Nikon doesn't have a built in auto-focus motor, the D5100 beats the 600D in nearly every acclaim. Price, features, options. Lightweight camera, cool 'effects' modes. The lack of an auto-focus motor means you have to buy 'AF-S' lenses, which can cost more than their similar counterparts, such as a 50mm 1.8D and a 50mm 1.8G, the main difference is the G has an auto-focus motor, but costs double the price.
The Kit lens is AF-S , so no need to worry there.

Search, D5100 vs 600D, and visit the 'snapsort.com' site, great comparison.

I bought this camera as an upgrade from my nikon D3000.
It is levels apart, much better picture quality, esp as low ISOs. It produces higher megapixel photos and a better processor and continous frame rate. (all as opposed to the nikon 3000) The High quality tilt screen is so handy, its amazing, its also lets you cover the screen when not in use (flip the screen around so its facing the camera body to protect it from being damaged). The tilt screen paired with the live view is superb, the live view is so handy when working at strange angles or working with a tripod.I also use live view a lot with my manual focus lenses, you can zoom in to see that the image is perfectly in focus, something very important when using a 1.4 aperture.
there are not many things i dislike about this camera, the button placement is taking a bit to get use to, there seems to be little order to it. however the more i use it the easier it is becoming.

This camera is very easy to use. I love the swivel screen as it is very useful for tight cramp positions or for areas that are difficult to photograph. I mainly use this camera for taking photos and not for taking videos. It is a very good camera and the price is fantastic for what you get.

buying this camera in ebay saves me a lot of money, this is the first time i had a dslr camera and its not as complicated as i thought, now it gives me a new hobby to take pictures all the time because i love the quality of the photos