Nikon D3100 14.2 MP Digital SLR Camera - Black (Kit w/ AF-S DX 18-55mm VR Lens)

Nikon D3100 jopafavoritus’s review

Nikon usually produces very attractive entry-level DSLRs, which are rarely the best specified but wisely designed so that they're easy and enjoyable to shoot with.
The D3100 is built around a 14.2 MP CMOS sensor, bringing not only live view but also Full HD video capture to Nikon's entry-level model for the first time. It can only record clips up to about ten minutes long (due to a 4Gb maximum file size limitation shared by all DSLRs), but this still counts as an impressive feature addition at this level.

All of this adds up to a DSLR that incorporates all of 2010's 'must have' features but looks like the product of evolution, rather than dramatic innovation.

Nikon D3100 Key Features

• 14.2 MP DX-format CMOS sensor
• 3.0" LCD monitor (230,000 dots)
• Image sensor cleaning (sensor shake)
• 11 AF points (with 3D tracking)
• IS0 100-3200 range (12,800 expanded)
• HD movies (1080p, 720p or WVGA)

PROS
• Very good image quality, high ISO performance; a big improvement over the D3000
• Compact, ergonomic and comfortable body
• Plenty of manual control
• Excellent image quality from the new 14-megapixel CMOS sensor
• Good dynamic range
• Fine-grained adjustment of color saturation, contrast, sharpness, etc.
• Active D-Lighting does a good job of bringing out shadow detail
• Good in-camera JPEG engine
• Automatic chromatic aberration reduction with all lenses
• Optional distortion correction with most Nikkor lenses
• Full 1,920 x1,080 HD movies
• New continuous AF mode (AF-F) during movies
• Good buffer depths for entry-level model
• Electronic rangefinder helps with manual focus when using optical viewfinder
• Expanded Retouch options
• Quiet shutter release mode is great for museums, weddings, and the like
• Fast USB transfer speeds
• Lots of in-camera raw conversion and post-processing options


CONS
• Will not focus all Nikon lenses
• No bracketing capability
• White balance often excessively orange under artificial light
• Auto and Incandescent white balance very warm in tungsten lighting
• No in-body image stabilization
• Doesn't support wireless flash control
• No on-demand grid-lines in optical viewfinder
• Fixed-position LCD panel
• LCD resolution could be better
• Buggy Live View / Movie Mode and no phase-detect AF available in Live View mode
• Obvious AF drive noise from kit lens picked up by internal mic during movie rec
• AF still a little sluggish in live view mode, full-time AF not very effective in live view or movies
• No manual exposure control for movies
• No external mic jack
• Kit lens somewhat soft in the corners wide open, with high geometric distortion at wide-angle
• Bundled software is a bit clunky and does not extract any more detail from RAW files
• USB and A/V cables not included

Conclusion

There's no doubt that the D3100 is one of the best entry-level SLRs available, offering very good image quality coupled with speedy operation and straightforward handling at least for conventional eye-level use.
The D3100's guide mode is clearly aimed at attracting customers who have only used compact cameras, which makes the ability to offer a similarly fast live view focus and shooting experience a key consideration.

However, while the D3100 represents a specification upgrade over a family of cameras we've generally liked, in some respects it has found itself rather out-paced by the market.

The D3100 is built around a 14.2 megapixel CMOS sensor, bringing not only live view but also Full HD video capture to Nikon's entry-level model for the first time. In fact, this made it the first Nikon DSLR to offer 1920x1080 movie recording. It can only record clips up to about ten minutes long (due to a 4Gb maximum file size limitation shared by all DSLRs), but this still counts as an impressive feature addition at this level.

The body gets a slight refresh from a basic design that essentially dates back four years to the D40, gaining an extra button to the left of the screen, a drive mode switch at the base of the mode dial, a sprung lever to engage live view and a direct record movie button. Revisions have also been made to the feature-teaching, hand-holding 'Guide Mode', and an additional autofocus mode that's designed to allow better focusing in live view and autofocus during video shooting.

All of this adds up to a DSLR that incorporates all of 2010's 'must have' features but looks like the product of evolution, rather than dramatic innovation. And 2010 has been a year during which the rest of the market hasn't devloped along such predictable lines, not least during the expansion of the large sensor, mirrorless interchangable lens camera crowd.

Camera makers always try to stress that mirrorless cameras are creating an entirely new market, rather than competing with entry-level DSLRs, but it's pretty clear that many people planning to upgrade from their point-and-shoot compact will consider both types of camera when making their decision. So, while the D3100 is unequivocally a DSLR (in a time where the line between DSLRs and mirrorless cameras is becoming increasingly hazy), its beginner-friendly guide mode puts it squarely in competition with several of the mirrorless models that are equally eager to welcome point-and-shoot upgraders.

Many of these cameras, such as Sony's NEX-3 and 5, Olympus' E-PL1 and Panasonic's GF2, offer similarly accessible interfaces in a smaller, competitively-priced packages. They also, by eshewing the conventional DSLR design, are able to offer a shooting experience that is much closer to that of a compact camera - which even the best DSLR live view implementation can't easily mimic at the moment.

So, while the D3100 offers an improved feature set when compared to a camera we really liked, it remains to be seen whether these additions will be enough to make it stand out as well as its predecessor did. An excelent Camera, best in hes kind.

I just recently bought this dSLR, and took around 400 shoots in different light conditions. Still learning it, so far I can say I am very pleased. I am glad I chose it over the more expensive D5100, the extra cash will go on equipment.

camera body:
pros: good build quality - feel very solid in your hand; very good image quality; ISO usable up to 1600 with very low noise; easy accessible commands - on the body as well in the menus using the convenient info button; very cheap for what you get.
cons: viewfinder does not cover the whole frame - got to be careful while shooting, unwanted stuff can end up in your photo; no auto EV bracketing - even though it was simple to add in the firmware, low resolution LCD.

kit lens:
pros: very cheap, decent optics - for the money; usable for macro - even though it is not a macro lens.
cons: chromatic aberrations, slow auto-focus - can hunt in low to medium light conditions and on certain colors (green)

So in my opinion this lens is holding back the camera, if u can just buy the body and the excellent AF-S 35 mm f/1.8 and u will be thrilled with what this camera can do.

I've have wanted a Nikon camera for at least six years. Since it was my birthday, I decided that it would be a good gift for myself. Ebay was the best option.
I have to say, I love nearly everything about this camera. The picture clarity, the zooming effects, everything! There's nothing I don't love! It has automatic and manual focus on the lenses, which is very helpful. Me, myself, I enjoy slightly weighted cameras, because it gets me a steadier grip onto it.
There aren't hardly any things I don' like about this camera.
In conclusion, this is my favorite item that I have right now. It was well worth my money and the little time I had to wait for it.

I did a lot of research finding an intermediate camera that would not cost too much and be too difficult to use-this is the camera. Simple to use, affodable, lightweight (can hold easily with one hand). burst pics are a bit slow for action shots. the controls are easy to use ( I used camera then ready manual) on Auto its difficult to take a bad photo. I asked a few professional photographers, listen to many reviews and did many side by side comparisions. This camera ranked high for a reason.