Nikon D5100 sits nicely between slightly low-end Nikon DSLRs, such as D3100 and the high-end D7000. The 16.2-megapixel CMOS sensor records 1080p videos, making it a perfect camera for beginners.
A Nikon D5100 with the right lens type can produce serious pro-style images in a flash. Thanks to its extended ISO range, 4fps continuous shooting, and in-camera filters made for hassle-free edits.
The D5100 has a larger display and faster processing speed than its predecessor versions. It can also capture live-view AF-F photos with 3D-tracking, unavailable in D5000.
In addition, the lightweight structure, together with a bulk of additional features, makes D5100 an impeccable preference for photographers.
I have compiled a few best Nikon D5100 lenses picks for you to consider:
The 6 Best Compatible Lenses for Nikon D5100 Digital SLR
Best Wide-Angle Lens: Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 IF ED UMC Ultra Wide Angle Fixed Lens
“Rokinon 14mm is purpose-built for capturing professional architecture photos and landscapes. The large aperture size and 115-degree viewing frame help capture sharp, aberration-free photos in all lighting situations.”
- Best All-in-One Lens: Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED
“A cluster of 19 glass elements and VR II image stabilization makes Nikon 18-300mm appropriate for everything. From landscapes to portraits, macros, and telephoto range, Nikon 18-300mm provides tremendous results.“
- Affordable All-rounder Lens: Tamron AF 18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 Di-II VC All-in-One
“Tamron AF 18-200mm is the Grade-A alternative to expensive Nikon lenses. The lens is affordable and high-tech in performance vis-à-vis still photography and for recording videos with VC image stabilization and super-sensitive autofocusing.“
Best Prime Lens for Portraits: Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G Lens
“35mm prime lenses are exclusively meant to capture professional portraits, and Nikon 35mm is the finest of its kind. The lens offers a human-eye viewing experience with immaculate details and corner-to-corner sharpness in daylight and night.“
- Top Prime Lens for Low-light and Night Photography: Nikon AF FX NIKKOR 50mm
“Nikon 50mm produces dramatic background blurs in daylight and color-rich, noise-free portraits at night. With an extremely lightweight build, Nikon 50mm is the most suitable second lens for indoors and night-time photography.”
- Best Close-up Lens: Nikon AF-S DX Micro-NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G Close-up Lens
“An extendable AF range, seamless close-up photos, and all-weather performance make Nikon 40mm the premier macro prime lens in the micro-NIKKOR range. “
1. Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 IF ED UMC Ultra Wide Angle Fixed Lens
Rokinon 14mm FX-type full-frame lens features various specs alongside advanced ergonomics. Rokinon’s robust design follows a full-view rectilinear angle for spectacular landscape, astrophotography, and sports videography purposes.
Besides, the lens construction is compacted with an extended range of lens elements for aberration-free imagery throughout the day.
Features
- The various lens elements include ED glass for refraction controls, aspherical glass elements to weed out spherical aberrations and coma effects, and three high refractive index elements to sharpen the scene with absolute clarity and perfection overall.
- Rokinon's fixed-frame symmetry makes top-notch results vibrant in daylight and at night. An array of cutting-edge lens elements along with an f/2.8 aperture produces amazing results in low light.
- Rokinon 14mm prime lens works for all Nikon DSLRs and mirrorless cameras. The widest shooting frame is 115 degrees on FX-type Nikon cameras.
- The advanced design and a spacious 10-blade circular diaphragm make backgrounds smoother with sharp and detailed foregrounds.
- For macros, Rokinon 14mm delivers paramount clarity, blurry backgrounds, and tack sharp focus up to 11-in from the subject.
- A micro four-thirds camera can increase the angle of view to 76 degrees and 94 degrees on APS-C cameras.
- An ultra-multi-coating lies on top of glass elements to prevent flares and ghosting effects at night.
Pros
- Capture 115 degrees of landscapes with full-frame cameras
- F/2.8 circular aperture to shoot the night sky and more
- Remarkable dynamics in all lighting situations
- Ultra multicoating for flare reduction
- 18 elements in 12 groups
Cons
- Somewhat bulkier construction for a prime lens
- Not suitable for portraits
- Fixed focal length
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2. Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED Telephoto Zoom Lens
If you seek an all-in-one lens that captures up to 450mm shooting range in super-telephoto zoom lens modes together with minimal focus close to 1.48ft for nearby miniature shootings, look no further.
Nikon’s NIKKOR 18-300mm features everything imaginable to capture. From telephoto zoom lens shots at 300mm to landscapes at 18mm, the Nikon 18-300mm has it all.
Features
- Nikon's exclusive VR II image stabilization is fast and accurate at all lengths. The VR II and the AF silent wave motor allow you to capture HD videos and photos without blur in the telephoto range.
- Nikon's ED glass and aspherical elements effectively reduce comas, chromatic aberrations, spherical distortions and control color dispersions in sunny or shadowy surroundings.
- Nikon 18-300mm is constructed with 19 elements in 12 groups to provide the ultimate photography experience at the widest focal ranges.
- Nikon's advanced round aperture creates beautiful bokeh effects in the background with new foreground boundaries for close-ups.
- The glass elements are perfectly aligned to ensure that details are always visible, even at a distance.
Pros
- Remarkable Image Nikon's exclusive VR II image stabilization for handheld shooting modes
- Nikon 18-300mm zooms up to 16.7x times its base length
- Quiet SWM AF motor for noise-free videography
- Close-up focusing up to 1.48ft
- Lightweight, compact size
Cons
- A tad expensive for amateur photographers
- Focal range varies with each mount
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3. Tamron AF 18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 Di-II VC All-in-One Zoom Lenses
Designed exclusively for full-frame APS-C type cameras, Tamron 18-200mm is ideal for general shooting purposes, from wide-angle landscapes, night-time astrophotography, portraits, close-ups, and mid-range camerawork.
Features
- VC image stabilization accurately compensates for slight lens distortions in real-time for handheld shooting and zoom modes and ensures quick tack results between 18-200mm focal lengths.
- Tamron's 18-200mm is one of the premier lenses for professionals due to its exceptional color dynamics at all focal lengths and its amazing stabilization technology in handheld modes.
- Tamron's advanced lens elements for noise reduction in low lights and aberration controls make photos sharp and colorful at various lengths without losing pixel strength.
- Mount the lens barrel on any APS-C type machine and rejoice unspoiled moments with Tamron's multi-purpose zoom lens.
- They feature a high-performance SWM and an extended zoom, delivering excellent color combinations and pinpoint focusing.
- Ideal for beginners, Tamron 18-200mm is compatible with many DSLRs, including Sony, Canon, and Nikon cameras.
- Tamron 18-200mm is an affordable product with appropriate specifications for both newbies and amateurs.
Pros
- Vibration Compensation technology stabilizes photos at distant zooms and handheld modes.
- Economical than Nikon zoom lenses
- Super-sensitive and quiet SWM for AF
- All-in-one photography solution
- Compact build
Cons
- It does not include special-purpose elements for low-light photography
- A bit lopsided design
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4. Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G Prime Lens
Nikon manufactures the finest prime lenses for its DX-type and FX-type camera mounts. The color consistency and lens blurs are spectacular when captured with an appropriate Nikon DSLR.
Nikon’s advanced design and spectrum alignment beat the competition with cutting-edge processing speed and perfectly carved elements. Nikon’s exclusive glass elements make colors appear symmetrical with surrounding lights.
Features
- F/1.8G aperture assists in photographing sharp daylight portraits with isolated backgrounds. The aperture soaks up all the available light for color-rich photos at night or indoors with grain-free results.
- Nikon 35mm sits at the top of all prime lenses compatible with Nikon D5100. The perspective is clearer through the non-zoom focal length, and the hue distribution is the same as in the human eye.
- Nikon's normal angle of view creates stunning portraits with blurred backgrounds. The edges remain isolated in bright and dark modes, thanks to the near-round aperture diaphragm installed.
- The classic angle of view and an exclusive SWM for autofocusing make Nikon 35mm practical for any lighting situation from dawn until dusk.
- Nikon 35mm prime lens also features a one-click M/A manual override mode to fittingly focus/defocus on purpose or whenever required.
- To focus tiny subjects nearby, Nikon 35mm moves as close as 1ft with AF mode turned on.
- The lens contains aspherical coma reduction elements and Nikon's Super Integrated Coating on the lens elements to enhance subjects further.
- SIC coating reduces flares and seamlessly removes unwanted blurs and lens diffractions from the photo in processing mode.
Pros
- Spectacular 7-blade aperture diaphragm for night photography and sharp portraits
- Nikon 35mm offers a normal viewing angle, i.e., equivalent to a human eye
- The lens provides a maximum reproduction rate of 0.16x It fits in the pocket
- The best prime lens for Nikon DSLRs
- Focuses up to 1ft from the subject
Cons
- Nikon 35mm cannot be zoomed; photographers must move closer or away from the subject.
- Pricey for beginners
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5. Nikon AF-S DX Micro-NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G Among Best Macro Lenses
Nikon 40mm has the most robust design to handle a broad range of trades. The lens stays put when making videos or capturing still photographs indoors and outdoors.
The paramount optical performance tops the chart for portrait shoots and close-up macros.
To protect the casing, Nikon DX 40mm includes dust- and water-proof sealing mount on top of lens elements.
Features
- The perspective range exceeds 1x life-sized portrait, making it infinity for macro photographs. Also, the AF range is extendable to 64 inches for professional photo making.
- Aspherical and ED glass elements create excellent dramatic effects by automatically eliminating comas and other types of lens aberrations in various situations.
- The micro-NIKKOR design embeds a tiny SWM with manual override to ensure that the focused objects never get out of sight for quiet and speedy autofocusing.
- The contrast, color, and symmetry stay perfectly aligned with surrounding areas while clicking portraits, group photos, or close-up shots.
Pros
- One-click manual override with SWM-assisted autofocusing
- Nikon 40mm offers a maximum reproduction rate of 1x
- Extremely lightweight and compact design
- Close-range correction included
Cons
- Restricted focal range
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6. Nikon AF FX NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8D Lens for Nikon DSLR Cameras
Nikon 50mm fixed-length NIKKOR is the fastest prime lens in the standard-type photography range.Nikon 50mm fixed-length NIKKOR is the fastest prime lens in the standard-type photography range.
Also, the Nikon 50mm delivers tack-sharp close-ups up to 1.5ft for macro photography.
With a size that fits in a jeans pocket, Nikon 50mm is an impeccable choice for travel photographers, events, and personal snaps.
Features
- The lens is made for Nikon FX and DX-type DSLRs. The focal length extends to 75mm when mounted on a DX-type camera.
- The maximum viewing angle is 46 degrees at 50mm, equivalent to what can be viewed with the human eye.
- With a fast f/1.8D aperture, you can capture full-length portraits with agility and precision in daylight as well as indoors and at night.
- The aperture also creates a shallow depth of field in bright light and noise-free results at night-time.
- Nikon's Super Integrated Coating inside the lens improves color consistency, light transmission, and other obstructions to a well-lit photo.
- SIC also reduces flares and ghosting effects. The other glass elements, i.e., Aspherical Lens and ED glass, eliminate coma, spherical aberrations, and other infringements in real-time. SWM stays swift and silent when autofocusing moving subjects.
- The super-sensitive circuitry inside the SWM makes sure that it does not blur or destabilize captured photos or videos at any distance.
Pros
- F/1.8D maximum aperture for night-time photography and isolated portrait-making
- Nikon 50mm is the fastest and most suitable prime lens for portraits
- Works perfectly with FX and DX-type (in crop mode) DSLRs
- Maximum reproduction ratio of 0.15x
- Tiny size, lightweight design
Cons
- The zoom function is unavailable in Nikon 50mm
- Inadequate elements inside the lens barrel
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Conclusion
The Nikon D5100 is a versatile and wholesome performer in the long run. Whether portraits, macros, night photos, or sports photography, Nikon D5100 is equipped with the essentials to perfect your click to the last pixel.
Despite its compact size, the lens fits perfectly on all DX-type lenses. Aside from native Nikon D5100 lenses, the D5100 is compatible with a range of other lens manufacturers.
Before checking out, make sure that your selected lens is DX-type for a full-frame viewing experience with Nikon D5100.
Frequently Asked Questions
With Nikon D5100, any DX-type and FX-designated lens will work well. Also, D5100 is fully compatible with AF-S macro-lenses, prime lenses, and more.
Nikon’s superior HD video recording with 4fps continuous shooting makes it a great pick for wildlife photography.
When used with an appropriate lens, D5100 captures spectacular wildlife stills and videos with ease and perfection from afar.
With its compact design, affordable price, and stylish build, D5100 is an ideal DSLR choice for beginners.
D5100 has a much faster processing speed than predecessor models D5000 and D3100. Plus, the stabilization effects are good enough to turn your simple clicks into professional photographs.
Nikon’s side-articulated 3-inch LCD screen conveys every bit of detail when focused on a subject. In low lights, the screen assists in focusing the subjects at full-frame resolution.
The various in-camera retouching modes, i.e., D-lighting, red-eye reduction, and filter effects, help redefine the scenery for more lucid results.
With a 16.2-MPx CMOS sensor and a wider ISO range (up to 25,600), Nikon D5100 delivers stunning night shots and low-light photographs.
From starry constellations to indoor party clicks, Nikon D5100 vividly captures everything that can’t be seen at night with tack clarity and exquisiteness.