Nikon D3100 DSLR Camera Review
Nikon has been accustomed in creating very attractive DSLRs in entry-level segment. These devices get smart designs and are easy to use. It is the Nikon D3100 camera that has welcomed its sibling in the family named Nikon D3200. The device has been gently refreshed and is based on D60 which itself received a slight update to D40X. This device adds easy-to-use features that turn on the mood of users no matter whatever are the specs. Well, read the full Nikon D3100 camera review to get to the details including price, features and specification.
Design :
Nikon D3100 DSLR camera gets slightly refreshed looks from basics that were once found in D40 (four years back). So, you cannot expect the same old design to be presented in the modern age. The camera looks beautiful and smart more because of its lens, grip, pop-up flash, and LCD display. The device gets some extra buttons at the left of the screen and comes with a drive mode switch right at the bottom of the mode dial. You just have to click the button to engage in live view or record movie. The camera gets good grip for your palms, so you can rely on the brand and the safety of your device. There is autofocus feature as well as video shooting. If this does not impress you, then start exploring the images by pressing the review button and cherish the memories.
Well no doubt the design is very impressive and gives you a feel like using a high-end camera. Many people like to carry bigger and better performance devices whereas; many prefer to carry compact, lightweight, point-and-shoot camera. So, the design can attract you if you are willing to have a camera this big.
The friendly modes of features increase the demand for this device where it gives tough competition to its rivals who share similar segment. The Nikon DSLR camera provides good interface in a competitive price just like the others – Olympus E-PL 1, Sony NEX-3 and 5, and Panasonic GF2. Nikon has provided an improved version with good features to offer to its enthusiasts for lower price. There is a flip out monitor that enables the users to enjoy more photographic opportunities.
Performance :
The entry-level Nikon D3100 DSLR camera is equipped with a 14.2 megapixel CMOS sensor that delivers amazing quality pictures and videos as compared to its low-end segment. However, users will be enjoying the Full HD quality video capturing through this entry level model provided for the first time. Not only this, the camera has become the first Nikon DSLR camera to provide 1920 by 1080 resolution movie recording. Well, the device will give you a backup of 10 minutes for recording clips due to the maximum file size limitation of 4GB shared by all DSLR cameras. Still, this is an impressive approach where at least users get access through an entry-level camera.
The camera holds 3.0 inches of LCD monitor that comes loaded with 230,000 dots. There is image sensor cleaning, 11 AF points along with 3D tracking and the ISO level ranges between 100 and 3200 with 12,800 expanded. The best experience would be when you start recording HD movies at 1080p, 720p or WVGA.
If you are a beginner, you would obviously demand Nikon D3100 not because it gets improved features, but because it holds all very easy options to guide its users. This camera offers both entry-level as well as professional functions which are important and comes in budget. This device can be used for years due to its 14.2 megapixel effective sensor, 3-inch LCD display, shooting RAW image format, and recording HD movies. So, the camera has good features for which many would like to chase for, especially when not much money will be spend.
When it comes to photo imaging software, there are some essential tools useful for many professional photographers such as adjusting lights, picture effect, color saturation, and contrast. The picture control mode itself includes six settings – standard, vivid, neutral, portrait, landscape, and monochrome. Settings can be applied before shooting the HD videos. The camera provides ISO sensitivity range of 100 to 3,200 and can even expand up to 12,800. The ISO level helps lowering down the blurriness of the image and will also control the lighting of the image by bring more quality to it. The ISO levels are impressive enough and will not flash in low-lighting situations.
Other than this, the scene recognition system integrated to this device is very powerful and offers good features, especially for the entry level photographers. So, all in all, it is appreciating with 420 pixels of RGB sensor. So, users do not have to set anything manually, the system will automatically recognize, analyze and gauge the appropriate lighting, exposure and focus choice to deliver the perfect picture.
The Nikon D3100 DSLR camera provides great photographic features including full HD 1080p, action shooting, subject tracking auto focus (stellar feature), and can even connect your camera to a HDTV with the help of an HDMI connector. You do not have to open the guide and browse through the pages or carry the manual with you when you are traveling. Instead, all you have to do is to enter the guide mode loaded in the camera and read the step-by-step directions and execute the functions easily.
Battery and Accessories :
The Nikon D3100 sits under its hood an EN-El 14 battery and comes along with MH-24 battery charger. Other than this, the device is available with some accessories such as BS-1 accessory shoe cover, AN-DC3 camera strap, DK-20 rubber eyecap, DK-5 eyepiece cap, ViewNX 2 CD-ROM, and BF-1B body cap.
Customer Service :
The operation manual of Nikon D3100 camera is simply excellent and is even easy to navigate. The manual is even filled with images which give convenience to the users. Step-by-step instructions and other user information are provided. Therefore, it is expected that the rest of the customer service will also work fine. There are firmware information, user manuals, and search toolbar all through the page, providing complete details that users require, but it could annoy the users as they have to delve through all to information to find the required data for D3100.
Price :
The Nikon D3100 DSLR camera price is set at Rs. 31,500 with AF-S 18-55mm VR Kit Lens. If you are buying only the camera body then the price decreases to Rs. 26,500. The camera is available at the stores.
Pros :
The Nikon D3100 gets good placement of buttons that give easy access and also provide increased functionality.
Cons :
Help and support section of this device is very disappointing as well as frustrating. The service of DSLR camera is provided through the website of Nikon.
Verdict :
The Nikon D3100 camera includes a series of features and functions that are easy to use and is a great choice for the beginners in photography. One can enjoy editing images the images and videos directly from the camera and can even choose effects and apply them to make the images or videos more impressive. The design of this DSLR camera is excellent and gets good grip as well. It’s flip out monitor is also very impressive. The only annoying thing is the complicated navigation provided in customer service section.
Also read the quick specs of Nikon D3100 DSLR camera :
- 14.2 million pixels, 23.1mm by 15.4mm
- 1080p video shooting with HD video quality – 1920 by 1080 pixels
- Electronically controlled vertical travel focal plane shutter type
- 1/4000 to 30 seconds of shutter speed
- 2 seconds and 10 second self timer (electronically controlled)
- Built-in flash
- Nikon Multi-CAM 1000 autofocus sensor module with TTL phase detection
- Hi-speed USB
- NTSC PAL video output
- SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards
- Eye-level pentamirror single-lens reflex viewfinder
- En-EL 14 rechargeable Li-ion battery
- GP-1 GPS unit
- Eye-level pentamirror single lens reflex viewfinder
- Type C mini-pin HDMI connector
- New EXPEED 2TM image processing engine
- ISO 100 – 3200 (expandable up to 12,1800)
- 3 inches of LCD bright screen
- Dust reduction system from Nikon
- AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm VR lens
- 455 grams
Anthony Lobo
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