Where the D5100 shines is decent still shots but a tad better video quality if your using the right lens, as it will shoot 1080p/24p/30p where the D7000 shoots only 1080p/24p, and this is where the articulating upgraded LCD comes into play, makes filming with this camera a tad more enjoyable and more flexible.

I pair my d5100 with a 55-200mm Nikkor AF VR lens, and with a stabilization rig, quality boom mic, and final cut pro x editing, im able to turn out some stunning and professional video.

The Nikon D5100 brings the high quality 16.2 megapixel sensor, great low-light performance, and full HD video capability with all the frame rate options from the popular pro-sumer D7000 to the enthusiast level model - and then includes a fully adjustable side-mounted rotating screen to boot.

Initially, I did want the extra controls & perceived build quality & built-in AF of the D90/D7000, but the articulating screen and the awesome photos coming out of the D5100 are just beautiful (btw, Lightroom is useful no matter which DLSR you choose to buy).

In summary, the Nikon D5100 is a versatile and compact DSLR that is well suited to beginner and more experienced shooter alike, with the fully-articulating screen a welcome addition for videographers.

PROs: The image quality of the D5100 is fantastic, and the flip out screen is quite nice.

A couple of things that stand out on the D5100 is size and weight (Smaller and lighter) and articulating screen when shooting video, the still image quality is excellent on both cameras but with the edge going out to the D7000just based on a better auto focus system and better weather resistant body.

The most significant design difference is the addition of a side-hinging LCD screen in the D5100, as opposed to the bulkier (and more awkward) bottom-hinged LCD used in the D5000.

Straight out of the box, the most obvious hardware upgrade the D5100 enjoys over the D5000 is the large articulated LCD monitor dominating the back of the camera.

I recently purchased this Nikon D5100 camera and have since replaced the kit lens with the Nikon 18-200mm VRll and have a 35mm f/1.8G AF-S on order.

For the money you can't go wrong with the Nikon 18-55mm kit lens purchased with the D5100.

By the 1st week of April, I was gonna stick with a Samsung NX10, then I saw the Nikon D5100 on Amazon, although it wasn't actually available yet.

The picture quality isn't necessarily better (although the t3i's larger sensor will show more of the imperfections of a lower quality lens than the D5100's and the kit lens is definitely a low quality lens compared to the other offerings in either the Canon or Nikon line), but the build at least feels better.

I bought the D5100 with two Nikon lenses (18-55 and 55-250 AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom lens).

Found this package in amazon.com (Nikon d5100, with 18-55mm and 55-300 mm lens, 32GB SD card, UV filters, wide angle and telephoto lenses) and compared price with Best Buy, Fry's and Costco, Costco was providing the camera and 2 lenses specified above + bag and 8 GB SD Card for $899 but no filters tripods, wide angle and telephoto lenses.