http://press.nikonusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Nikon-D5100-April-Press-Release-FINAL.pdf

Could this be a serious attempt from Nikon. Over and above the D7000, this model includes:

* 1080p @ 25/30 fps (previous model was only 24)
* articulated screen
* released alongside ME-1 micorphone "To address the needs of the ever growing community of shooters abandoning their video cameras for the versatility of a D-SLR"

*** EDIT ***

Bad news, just found the maximum 18mbps bit rate here:
Nikon | Imaging Products | New Perspectives - Nikon D5100 (http://imaging.nikon.com/lineup/dslr/d5100/features01.htm)

Yep, just read about this on engadget (lots and lots of pics too). It certainly sounds very promising/very good feature set. The stereo mic looks tiny - and at £120 it could be good for one of my small camcorders too! Both camera and mic "expected in stores by 21st April" - not too far away so I guess we'll see soon enough!

It comes down to four things:

Manual controls
Aliasing
Resolution
What comes out of the HDMI port

It seems like these issue are still very much open ?'s. I do hope Nikon makes good progress on all these fronts.

Here is a video on YouTube with sample D5100 footage. Shot in Norway.

YouTube - Nikon D5100 - Winter's End (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kh7uueMmLEA)

And another by Nikon France.

Fragments on Vimeo

Max bit rate @ 1920x1080 = 18mbps... sigh

Nikon | Imaging Products | New Perspectives - Nikon D5100 (http://imaging.nikon.com/lineup/dslr/d5100/features01.htm)

The colors and skintones look terrible.

... you're getting closer Nikon... try harder with the D800