Nikon has a habit of making entry-level DSLRs that are very attractive and cleverly designed so that they are enjoyable and comfortable to shoot with. Expected to retail as from 2010, Nikon D3100 is not any different. It is an ideal start-up camera for people who want to learn the basics. It comes with a great design, features, and functionality that make it easy for newbies in photography. Thanks to its robust autofocus system, perfect 14.2 MP DX CMOS sensor for excellent image quality, and full HD video recording ability, the Nikon D3100 is a quality camera to check out. To help you make the right choice when you go out to purchase it, here is an exclusive Nikon D3100 review.
Key Features and Specifications
• 1080/24p video recording
• 14.2 megapixels
• ISO 100-3200 range expandable to ISO 12800 equivalent
• Image sensor cleaning
• In-camera Image Editing
• Built-in HDMI port
• Fast 11-point autofocus System
Design and Handling
The Nikon D3100 is one of the most pleasant cameras to hold In its class. It is more compact as compared to a professional camera, and the body feels solid as it is light and robust. When you attach the 18-55mm kit lens, the Nikon camera as a whole feels fantastic. One of the most visible changes on the D3100 is the addition of a movie record button and live view lever on the camera rear. They have been positioned well such that you can easily access them, and there is no risk of activating them accidentally.
Nikon D3100 also features two additional ports. This camera comes with an HDMI connector, a USB, a GP1 GPS unit connector that also acts as an MC-DC2 remote control socket, and AV sockets. This makes a total of 5 buttons instead of 4 contained In the D300. D3100 has added a drive mode switch that provides a single and continuous self-timer and a quiet mode. It comes with EN-EL14, a new battery that gives a slightly higher voltage than the D3000 battery, although they have similar capacity.
Autofocus and Lenses
The focusing performance of Nikon D3100 depends highly on the lens used. This is because the camera lacks an autofocus motor similar to other Nikon entry-level cameras. D31100 uses two autofocus methods that include contrast-detect AF for live view and Phase detect AF for normal eye-level shooting. Its autofocus live view is more accurate and relatively fast. Nikon D3100 has an added feature of continuous autofocus useful in keeping moving subject in focus during live view or recording movies.
Image Quality
Capturing still images with Nikon D3100 gives great and sharp quality pictures. The most notable new change for this Nikon camera is a more powerful Expeed 2 camera and the new 14.2-megapixel high-resolution camera sensor. A higher resolution sensor means more improved cropping and larger prints. Although the default images of D3100 with the kit lens are relatively good, the standard color setting may be too saturated according to the taste of the photographer. Setting the camera on neutral brings out more accurate images. More so, the white balance does a decent job of enhancing image quality. The camera provides seven types of fluorescent, incandescent, flash, direct sunlight, preset manual settings, and shade. However, it does not have the option of Kelvin temperature.
Screen
As soon as you turn the Nikon D3100 on, the screen gets displayed. In case the screen has shut itself down, touching the shutter release lightly or pressing any button will put a light it back on. The screen displays a setup menu that lets the user choose the information display that they prefer. The displayed information offers an overview of al the cameral settings which the user can directly access through the ‘i’ button located on the rear of the camera. Pressing the button allows users to edit these parameters In both classic and graphic screens. Like D3000, D3100 features ‘Guide Mode’ for simplifying the camera operation for those new to DSLRs but still retaining some control for the user. The advanced setting is used for controlling the shutter speed or aperture, both of which are skinned with a simplified interface for easier control.
Conclusion
This Nikon camera provides a vast range of features, its fast, responsive, and provides some colorful images at a reasonable price. As compared to its predecessors, Nikon D3100 has shown significant improvements, and while more features could be improved, this is an excellent start-up camera for photography enthusiasts. The camera puts more emphasis on ease of use, allowing the less experienced to improve their game and comes with must-have technology in photography. Nikon D3100 is a great choice for anyone who desires a professional DSLR camera.