Our verdict
Thanks to the improvements in features and build quality, the Nikon D3100 has reached a level of quality that surpasses its D3000 predecessor and that of any entry-level DSLR currently available. The addition of Live View, Full HD video, increasing the resolution by four million pixels and enhancing the build quality are all factors that have pushed the D3100 to greater heights. Image quality continues to impress and despite the increase in pixel count it still has acceptable noise levels at high ISO sensitivities. This is a particular strength of Nikon’s pro DSLR cameras.
However, all this comes at a cost, and for an entry-level DSLR the D3100 is not cheap. When compared to other models at the same level, though, I believe this is one of the best. The D3100 is a camera built for the beginner, but it should also satisfy photographers as their abilities grow. If substantial changes are needed for a manufacturer to stay ahead of the competition, then Nikon should be sitting pretty. The D3100 marks the next level of quality for an entry-level DSLR, but only time will tell if it is priced correctly for the entry-level photographer.
Nikon D3100 – Key features
Viewfinder
The D3100’s viewfinder has 95% coverage with a magnification factor of 0.80x.
Live View
Another new addition is Live View, which can be controlled by this switch. The red button in the centre is for movie recording.
Memory card
The memory card is placed in the side of the camera. The D3100 takes SD, SDHC and the most recent SDXC memory cards. SDXC cards are faster and ideal for use with video.
Drive mode switch
This switch is new, with single, continuous, timer and quiet drive modes available.
Flash sync
The D3100 is compatible with Nikon’s Speedlight flashguns, which include the SB-400, SB-600, SB-800, SB-900 and the recently announced SB-700. However, there is no external flash-sync socket.
Guide mode
The guide mode offers easy-to-use in-camera assistance by asking the user what type of picture they want to take. Once the picture type is selected, such as portrait, a sample image appears on the display to show the effect on the image when suggested settings are applied.
Active D-Lighting
Like many other cameras, the D3100 has a dynamic range enhancement setting called the Active D-Lighting. This doesn’t actually increase the dynamic range, but instead retains details in shadows and highlights. I found images taken with Active D-Lighting felt a little less punchy, but improved natural tones.
Edit movie
Using the in-camera retouch menu, it is possible to make alterations not only to photos but also to movies. Start and end points can be selected from movie files and, once chosen, a new file is created.
