Features
A quick glance at the list of the Nikon D3100’s key features shows that, rather than just tweaking them, Nikon has made significant changes in some areas. However, this doesn’t mean that the D3000 failed to make the mark, as it received 84% (Very Good) when we tested it (see AP 5 September 2009) and it has been one of the best-selling DSLRs of 2010. As such, many successful features remain, including the 11-point AF system, a shooting ‘guide’ mode that tutors beginners through the basics of photography, 3fps continuous shooting, in-camera editing and a 3in, 230,000-dot LCD screen.
With a 14.2-million-pixel, APS-C sized CMOS sensor, only the D3X and the (yet to be tested) D7000 in the Nikon range have more pixels than the D3100. An increase of four million pixels from its predecessor is impressive. My concern is whether or not this will be at the expense of its ability to maintain low noise levels. On the plus side, more pixels mean an increase in resolution and therefore output size. An increase from 3872×2592 pixels in the D3000 to 4608×3072 pixels in the D3100 should enable images to be printed at a slightly larger size. At 300ppi prints measure 390x260mm (15x10in), although it should be possible to create good A2 prints and certainly A3 prints without any compromise in quality.
A new Expeed2 image processor deals with the data created by the sensor in all Nikon’s latest releases, including the D3100. This processor should improve noise reduction and colour rendition, and it has enabled Nikon to increase the ISO range found in the D3000 by 1EV. It now stands at ISO 100-3200 and can be expanded to ISO 12,800. Expeed2 can process raw and JPEG files simultaneously, and Nikon’s NEF raw-format files can be processed using the supplied View NX2 software.
Given that the D3000 has no video function, the other most notable improvement is that the D3100 has surpassed the 720p HD video of the D5000 and the D300S with Nikon’s first Full 1080p HD video capture mode. To accompany this video function is the addition of Live View, which is useful for composing both pictures and videos. Other useful new features include additions to the post-capture, in-camera editing, such as straighten horizon, distortion control, fisheye effect, perspective control and ‘edit movie’.The D3100 seems to start off life on a higher plane than its predecessor, hence the higher RRP. Of course, we expect improvements with each release, but many of those brought in here suggest that the D3100 could be here to stay for a while yet.
