Great beginner DSLR for newbies to photography.

This camera is a great camera for those looking to try out DSLR cameras. It is not considered a "Professional" camera by any means, however, it is a great camera to have for a first timer or beginner in the photography field. Make sure you pay attention to the lenses you choose to shoot with this camera as the type of glass (lens) you choose to use can make or break your photos. As with any camera, assuming you're NOT a professional (or you'd of gotten something better), you need to understand how to use this camera outside of the AUTO features. If you want to shoot in AUTO, buy a point and shoot style camera. You really need to take the time to learn the manual settings to get the most from this camera.

Nikon D3100 w/ 1080p HD Video

I purchased this camera recently and it is one AWESOME camera. I have had several SLR cameras from Pentax, Canon and Nikon. A big fan of 35mm - I finally transitioned over to a DSLR last year w/ my D90. What the heck was I waiting for? It's insanely unbelievable how easy it is to take pictures - my wife an avid beginner is loving the simplicity of taking great pictures and now beautiful 1080p quality video.

Here are the features of the NIKON D3100:

Type Single-lens reflex digital camera

Lens Mount Nikon F bayonet mount

Picture Angle Effective picture angle 1.5x (Approx.) conversion factor (Nikon DX format)

Effective Pixels 14.2 million

Sensor Size 23.1 x 15.4mm

Image Sensor Format DX

Image Sensor Type CMOS

Total Pixels 14.8 million

Dust-reduction system Image sensor cleaning
Airflow Control System
Image Dust Off reference data (optional Capture NX 2 software required)

Image Area (pixels) DX-format
(L) 4608 x 3072
(M) 3456 x 2304
(S) 2304 x 1536

File Format NEF (RAW)
JPEG: JPEG-Baseline compliant with fine (approx 1:4), normal (approx 1:8), or basic (approx 1:16) compression
NEF (RAW) + JPEG: Single photograph recorded in both NEF (RAW) and JPEG formats

Picture Control Landscape
Monochrome
Neutral
Portrait
Selected Picture Control can be modified
Standard
Vivid

Storage Media SD
SDHC
SDXC

Card Slot 1 Secure Digital (SD)

File System Compliant with DCF (Design Rule for Camera File System) 2.0
DPOF (Digital Print Order Format)
EXIF 2.21 (Exchangeable Image File Format for Digital Still Cameras
PictBridge

Viewfinder Eye-level pentamirror single-lens reflex viewfinder

Viewfinder Frame Coverage 95% horizontal
95% verticalApprox.

Viewfinder Magnification 0.80x Approx.

Viewfinder Eyepoint 18mm (-1.0m⁻¹)

Viewfinder Diopter Adjustment -1.7 to +0.5m⁻¹

Focusing Screen Type B BriteView Clear Matte Mark VII screen

Reflex Mirror Quick-return type

Lens Aperture Instant-return type
electronically controlled

Lens Compatibility at a Glance*** AF-S Lens Required for Autofocus

Compatible Lenses AI-P NIKKOR: All functions supported except autofocus and 3D Color Matrix Metering II
AF-S, AF-I: All functions supported
Non-CPU: Can be used in mode M, but exposure meter does not function; electronic range finder can be used if maximum aperture is f/5.6 or faster
IX Nikkor lenses cannot be used
Electronic Rangefinder usable with lens with maximum aperture of f/5.6 or faster
Type G or D AF NIKKOR not equipped with an autofocus motor: All functions supported except autofocus
AF-NIKKOR for F3AF not supported
Other AF NIKKOR: All functions supported except autofocus and 3D color matrix metering II
Type D PC NIKKOR: All functions supported except autofocus and some shooting modes.

Shutter type Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane

Shutter Speed 1/4000 to 30 sec. in steps of 1/3 EV
Bulb

Fastest Shutter Speed 1/4000 sec. in steps of 1/3 EV

Slowest Shutter Speed 30 sec. in steps of 1/3
1/2
1 EV

Flash Sync Speed Up to 1/200 sec.
Synchronizes with shutter at 1/200s or slower

Shutter Release Modes Single-frame [S] mode
Continuous
Self-timer mode
Quiet Shutter Release

Frame Advance Rate Up to 3 fps (manual focus, mode M or S, shutter speed 1/250 sec or faster, and other settings at default values)

Top Continuous Shooting Speed at full resolution 3 frames per second

Self-timer 2 sec.
10 sec. Timer duration electronically controlled

Highly reco

One of the best entry-level SLRs available

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.

Why I Chose the D3100 over the D5100

I just had to write a reveiw for my Nikon D3100 and maybe it can help others that are stuck between the D3100 and D5100 like I was. I looked for weeks for my first SLR camera...reading what seemed to be hundreds of on line reviews,many talking about specks of a camera that I did not understand. Reading all the reveiws really begin to confuse me even more. Do I need a high ISO camera,fast shutter clicks?...what about lens?? Now I have a few more hundred reveiws to read. At this point I am even doubting if I can learn to use a SLR, maybe I am better off with my point and shoot.Then I realized the reveiws are written by pros who know every aspect of a camera and prefer the highest of settings for there equipment.
So I went looking for the camera I thought would best suit my needs as a new SLR user and learning as I go. After years of being a Cannon user I narrowed my choice to the Nikon D3100 and D5100 as I was not crazy about the Rebel line. I went to the store to look at them both,the D5100 had more special effects such as night vision and color select,brighter LDC screen which moves and turns and could use a wireless remote and outer speaker for movies.Then I picked up the D3100...my hands fit perfect,the buttons on it was so easy to find and use and I LOVED the lay out of them. If you look at photos of both camera you will see how they are set up,I did not pay a lot of attention to this until I started to play with them at the store and wow this is VERY important while using the camera...the D3100 has them all in a row on the left side and so easy to use (while holding camera with right hand it is very easy to work them with left hand)...on the right side there is a lever for live veiw and on the top is my favorite lever of all for changing the drive mode (this lets you change from single shot,to continuous shot for action photos to timer to quite mode) This lever is often only on high dollar cameras and it does not come on the new D3200. The D5100 has most of its buttons on the right and was harder to work while holding the camera,you have to go into the menu to change drive speed which I did not like.So I left all the fancy effects,the moving LDC screen and the D5100 SLR at the store and purchsed the D3100. I have been using it for two months now...what great fun it is!
It is easy to learn and use,I have come out of the auto modes and using A and S settings and the photos keep getting better and better. I now know how to go into camera and change sharpness,color and many settings of my photos. So take the time to set down with your manual or a good D3100 book and really play with this camera,you will be amazed.Everything you learn how to do will produce even better photos than your last shots.I purchased this camera with the 18 55mm kit lens and purchased the 55 200mm zoom lens and they have been awesome!! Both are light weight lens and balance perfect on the D3100 and both use the same filters. Read reveiws these were slow lens...they have produced nothing but beautiful clear photos of my children playing,riding 4 wheelers,lakes,flowers,my bulldog and stunning photos of my horses running through the fields!! I am more than thrilled with my new camera,its many differnt fuctions,its ease of auto mode and the fun of learning to use P,S and A modes...and if you get stuck along the way,just push the "I" button on the back and the D3100 is there to help guild you. Awesome Job Nikon for a gr

Nikon D3100 - An Excellent DSLR For The Entry-Level Photographer,

The Nikon D3100 is an excellent entry-level DSLR. Could you pay more to get a "better" camera with "more features"? Absolutely. But why? Would you use those features? I looked long and hard at several in my research before buying - the models I considered were the Canon T2i, Canon 60D, the Nikon D90, and of course, the Nikon D3100. In the end, I decided the extra features on those other cameras were features that I likely wouldn't use. I'm interested mainly in taking lots of pictures while traveling -- pictures of clouds, landscapes, maybe some street photography. I wanted a smaller, lighter DSLR with good battery life and great image quality. The D3100 delivers on all accounts.

So what do the cameras in the next price-tier have that the D3100 doesn't? A lot of stuff that most people looking in this price range won't be concerned with. Here's a list of the "missing" things and/or "problems" with the D3100 as I found while researching my purchase:

1) Most online reviews and forums mention a problem with AutoISO and the built-in flash. When using the built-in flash in full auto, AutoISO jumps straight to the maximum ISO value, which I believe is defaulted to ISO-3200. Nikon says this is intended to get a better exposed background, fine with me. Personally, I think that ISO-3200 images out of this camera are very useable unless you're pixel peeping. If you just want to blow up an indoor portrait to an 8x10 (or even larger, I don't know!), you won't have a problem. Don't worry about it!

2) You can frequently hear the lens auto-focusing in your videos. Ok, you got me. If you're in a silent environment, yes, you will hear the autofocus motor, but if you're recording kids laughing and having a good time at the local indoor waterpark or at a parade or something, it's not loud enough where it would be a bother. If it is an annoyance, you can still shoot video with manual focus.

3) No external mic input. The D3100 is sufficient for getting a clip when you want it, you're not going to have movie quality sound. Who carries an external mic with them on vacation? If you're buying a DSLR specifically for video capabilities, you probably should be considering a dedicated camcorder anyway. For my purposes, there's nothing wrong with mono sound.

4) Lack of bracketing -- too much to explain in a review. Google it and see if you would ever use it. I can see why it would be useful, but I doubt it'd be useful for on-the-go photography.

5) Manual settings buried in menus instead of having dedicated buttons -- Most people at the entry-level probably aren't shooting full manual. The D3100 features several "scene" modes that you can use, otherwise there's always aperture or shutter priority, or even full auto. Depending on which priority you're in, the scroll wheel on the back will adjust the aperture or shutter speed. If you shoot full manual all the time, you may want dedicated buttons, meaning you should look elsewhere. If you're not in full manual, I can't see this being a problem.

Until then, enjoy the D3100 for what it is. A great, inexpensive, entry-level DSLR, which, in my opinion, produces excellent images when in the hands of a photographer ready to learn!