Nikon D3100

Overview

TechSpot Metascore

Based on 49 expert reviews

Excellent:

20
Good:

21
Average:

8
Bad:

0

Pros:

Lightweight and compact.
Low cost.
Good lowlight performance.

Cons:

Body balance feels awkward.
Limited manual (but builtin guide is useful).

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Last revision on April 26, 2012

Reviewers Liked

Lightweight and compact
Low cost
Good lowlight performance
Very good image quality
Excellent ergonomics and build
Easy to use
Shoots HD video
Autofocus in movie and live view modes
Comfortable body
Dedicated Live View switch and Movie Record button
Drive mode switch reduces menu accesses
Excellent image quality from the new 14-megapixel CMOS sensor coupled

Reviewers Didn't Like

Body balance feels awkward
Limited manual (but builtin guide is useful)
Lacks exposure bracketing
Poor Live View implementation
Low resolution LCD
Autofocus makes noise in movie mode
Fixed LCD screen
Auto and Incandescent white balance very warm in tungsten lighting
No in-body image stabilization
Won't autofocus with older "screw-drive" AF lenses
Expensive

Expert reviews and ratings

100

Now a year-and-a-half old, the D3100 was the first D-SLR in Nikons lineup to offer full HD video and is built around an APS-C 14.2Mp CMOS sensor, offering a maximum 4608x3072 pixel resolution....

By Photo Answers on January 03, 2012

The D3100 is a welcome update to earlier entry-level DSLRs from Nikon, which offered aging sensor technology and limited feature sets. The D3100 sports a 14.1MP CMOS APS-C sensor with very good low-light capabilities for a camera in its class. At a...

By Maximum PC on August 08, 2011

In several regards the Nikon D3100 is a very compelling choice for both inexperienced photographers looking to move up to their first DSLR camera, and for slightly more skilled photographers simply looking for an affordable entry into the Nikon DSLR...

By Camera Gear Guide on March 31, 2011

A small, smart DSLR that's great for beginners, but video capability pushes the price up...

By Computeractive on March 14, 2011

The Nikon D3100 may only be an entry-level SLR camera, but it's capable of supplying very good image quality and it also has the ability to shoot HD video. It's a comfortable camera to hold and an easy one to use, and its in-built guides allow...

By Good Gear Guide on March 01, 2011

The Nikon D3100 is an excellent option for new DSLR owners. At the same time, it gives users access to the second largest lens lineup of the industry. The headline video feature of the D3100 may not be as hot as we expected but it does not take...

By NeoCamera on February 23, 2011

The D3100 turns in a solid performance wiith good image and color quality. Video recording mode has some...

By DigitalCameraReview on February 17, 2011

These are sample photographs shot with the Nikon D3100. The photos have not been post-processed and are copyright to SPH Magazines. We kindly ask that you do not reproduce them elsewhere. Click to see the full-resolution originals.It's amazing how...

By HardwareZone.com on February 13, 2011

100

The beginner-targeted 14.2-megapixel D3100 updates the best-selling D3000 and introduces Full HD video capture to Nikon’s range – in MPEG-4 format and a frame rate of 24fps. All this for £500 too, if you opt for body only....

By Macworld UK on February 04, 2011

The D3100 is an entry-level DSLR on the higher end of that category's price range. However, it has a great set of features for beginning photographers, and decent image quality....

By PCWorld on February 03, 2011

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