Can I use Wireless flash for Nikon D5100? Any other Nikon you would suggest me?

I read something about compatibility of wireless flash with D5100, but don't really get if I could use it with those wireless flash or not. I'm looking for a Nikon that would be suitable for both studio photography and landscape. I do not really need the video recording option, but it seems that all DSLR models have it. My budget is not much, something around 500 would be desirable so I could afford buying a lens too. Isn't it possible if I could just buy a body and a separate lens? What do you suggest?

Unlike the more advanced models (D90 and above) entry level cameras including the D5100 do not support wireless flash out of the box.

To support wireless flash, there are three options:

Option 1 - use Nikon's Wireless System.

Buy a Nikon SB700, SB910, or other compatible flash unit. These flash units understand Nikon CLS commands wirelessly.

Then buy a SU-800, which is a wireless flash transmitter for Nikon flashes, and costs about $250. This sits atop Nikon cameras that do not support wireless flash out of the box.

So if wireless flash is important to you, you should realize that you have to add $250 to the cost of a D5100. The D7000 looks a lot more attractive when you do that.

Option 2 - aftermarket slave flash RF system.

These start out as low as $50 for a transmitter/receiver pair for a Yongnuo RF-603, up to a couple hundred for Pocket Wizards. But these are manual flash systems. This means that exposure information is not transmitted to the flash, so the camera and the flash units must be put into manual mode.

This is not a problem with many advanced DSLR owners and it is a popular option.

The advantage with a RF system is it has a lot longer range - up to 200ft, where the Nikon system is limited to about 20ft. And the Nikon system can have issues in bright daylight as it is a IR system, not a RF system (but Canon has the same problem with their systems).

Many advanced DSLR owners prefer manual mode when it comes to flash anyway as they feel they have more control of the flash output, etc.

Option 3 - aftermarket TTL RF system.

If you don't want to go manual, but retain the flash'es automatic system, you can buy a TTL version of the Pocket Wizard RF system. But they are over priced in my view, and will set you back $500 or so.

Option 4 - while you specified wireless, you can buy a 10ft SC-29 cord for under $100, and it will be the least expensive remote flash solution if you want to retain TTL functionality.

The D5100 does not have Nikon's AWL (advanced wireless lighting) system built in. To use wireless flash with a D5100 you will need to buy either a IR transmitter (Nikon SU-800), a SB800/900/910 flashgun or a set of radio triggers. The SU-800/SB800/900/910 will only work on Nikon's iTTL flashguns, such as the SB600 and up, as well as Metz 48/50/58 series. Radio triggers will let you run any flash, but if you buy a basic unit, you lose TTL metering.

If you want a camera body with built in AWL, then the Nikon D70S, D80, D90, D200, D300/300S, D700, D800, and D7000 all have AWL transmitter.