Review of the Nikon D3100. View Nikon D3100 body
Nikon D3100 is a wonderful amateur DSLR camera. I am often asked what good and not expensive Nikon SLR camera I would recommend to buy - I almost always I recommend Nikon D3100. In this review you can find information only about Nikon D3100 Points - that is, only about the camera itself without a lens. Nikon D3100 usually comes with an inexpensive lens kit, such a kit is called a 'kit kit'. Nikon D3100 with lens Nikkor 18-55mm F3.5-5.6VR is the most common option. If the complexity of an SLR camera is scary - do not be afraid, a special explanatory GUIDE mode is built into the camera, which will tell and tell everything. If the whale lens is not satisfactory, then at the end of this review, I give some tips for choosing good and inexpensive lenses.
View of Nikon D3100 from different sides
Nikon D3100 has excellent featureswhich are wired into a very light and small camera body. It has everything you need, from a 14.2 MP matrix, to the ability to shoot video in Full HD quality 1920 × 1080.
Key Features of Nikon D3100
1. The first thing to remember is that APS-C a camera in which, in comparison with the classic 3 mm film, the matrix is reduced. The matrix area of this baby is 5 times smaller than that of professional giants such as Nikon D800 or Nikon D3s. And at the same time, the area of the matrix (matrix value) same as for more advanced cameras Nikon D7100, D300s, D7000 и D5200... The matrix is the heart of a DSLR. The quality of photographs depends very much on its value. Therefore, picking up Nikon D3100, you can be sure that you can get photos from it no worse than on a very expensive professional Nikon D300s.
Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D40 size comparison
2. The Nikon D3100 sensor has crop factor in 1.5x. If you decide to use a cropped digital SLR camera, then you should understand that when using full-frame lenses, the viewing angle will be less than on Full Frame cameras. This is neither bad nor good. On the one hand, the TV range automatically increases, and on the other hand, the wide angle becomes a luxury. If you haven’t shot a film or a full frame before, then this remark about crop factor you can’t take it to heart.
Sample photo on Nikon D3100
3. Yes, the small Nikon D3100 has as many 14.2 Megapixels... This is really a lot, and if you megapixels are importantthen the Nikon D3100 will be just right. More megapixels, at the moment, only at Nikon D5100, D7000, D3x, D4, D800,D800E, D3200, D5200, D600, D610, D810, D4, D4s. If someone wants to be happy for the little Nikon D3100, then know that 14,2MP give 4608 x 3072 more pixels than expensive professional Nikon D3s, Nikon D3, Nikon D700, Nikon D300s etc. But, in fact, the number of megapixels does not affect the image so much. Their huge number is most likely just a marketing ploy. You can read my little note on the topic Battle of Megapixels.
Sample photo on Nikon D3100
4. ISO limits. Nikon D3100 can change its value ISO 100 to 12.800... Although, in fact, only from 100 to 3200, the values 6400 and 12800 are a kind of software cheat, even in the camera settings they are denoted by a tricky one - ISO HI1 and ISO HI2. I strongly advise against shooting at high ISO values. For comparison, Nikon D90, Nikon D300, Nikon D300s has an ISO 6400 ceiling.
Sample photo on Nikon D3100
5. Everyone is probably interested in the noise of the matrix. Understand correctly, any matrix will make noise at high ISO, even Nikon D4 with its ISO 204.800. There is only one question here - to what extent this or that noise level is acceptable for a person. With a camera for amateur shooting, it is quite possible to shoot at ISO up to 3200. Considering that this is an amateur camera, I have no complaints about the noise level at high ISO. Here sample photo without processing at high ISO, no noise reduction enabled, exported directly from RAW at ISO 3200 - View Example.
Example photo on Nikon D3100
6. 3 frames per second. Speed is enough for many types of shooting. I recommend always thinking, but do you need more than 1 frame per second? Yes, there are sports photographers, wedding photography and many other commercial areas of photography, where speed plays an important role, but you should not demand a high rate of fire from an amateur camera. It is unlikely that anyone will be filming a serious report or wedding on the Nikon D3100. I have enough head speed of 2.5 frames per second on my favorite Nikon D40, and the same 3 frames per second on Nikon D80.
Nikon D3100 - sample photo
7. Autofocus. Focus system consists of 11 points. This is very good news for all Nikon D1 users. D1h, D1x, D100, D40, D40x, D50, D60, D70, D70swho are planning to upgrade. Focusing with 11 points is very convenient. Focus points as many as cameras Nikon D90, D5000, D5100, D200, D80, D2hs, D2x, D2xs, D2h. Nikon Multi-CAM1000 is responsible for focusing. I had this focusing system on Nikon D90, there is no doubt about the quality of her work. You can read more about focusing systems on Nikon cameras here.
Nikon D3100 - sample photo
8. Display. 3-inch display, large, beautiful, contrasting, the same size as the Nikon D5000, Nikon D5100. The only thing is that he has only 230.000 points displaying information. More advanced cameras have over 900,000 points.
9. Video. Yes, Nikon D3100 can shoot Full HD 1920 × 1080 video. I am not a specialist in video quality. A nice innovation is the factor that the D3100 has autofocus when shooting video. For example, Nikon D90, D3s, D5000 does not auto focus when shooting movies. Autofocus is activated when the shutter button is pressed halfway, or is always on in mode AF-C... You can shoot at lower quality to save memory. The Live View button is combined with the start / stop button for video recording - it's very convenient. In video mode, aperture control is not available, to change the aperture values, you must first turn off Live View, set the desired aperture value, then turn Live View back on and start shooting.
Nikon D3100 - sample photo (ISO 12.800 - in EXIF somehow not impressed)
10. The camera uses SD Flashcards. You can also use very high-capacity SDXCs. My device handles 32GB well SD HC Class 10. This is an important parameter; the speed of the camera depends on the speed of the card. A regular RAW file weighs on average 11-15 MB, 1 minute of FULL HD video weighs on average 150 MB. A JPEG L photo weighs on average from 3 to 8 MB.
11. The camera has a nice menu. The menu is made in the classic Nikon style. Everything is clear and accessible.
Photo on Nikon D3100
12. The camera is very compact and light. Weight is very important for the average camera user. The weight of the camera is one of the smallest among all DSLRs at Nikon. Nikon D3100 is even lighter for Nikon D40. Weight is very important, for example, when take pictures on a hike. The battery also holds a charge well, and without a flash it works out about 1000 frames.
Nikon D3100 has many other useful things:
- dust matrix cleaning system
- fast processor expeed 2
- auto adjustment distortions
- airflow control system to prevent matrix contamination
- Live View Focus Mode
- many tips on the menu and during shooting
- good built-in flash
- excerpt from 30s to 1 / 4000s
- outputs for connecting to a computer and TV, port for GPS
- Active D-lighting (which is either on or off).
- Frame buffer puts 13 RAW files. Oddly enough, but the buffer is more than advanced Nikon D90, which has only 11 frames in the buffer for RAW. With this buffer, you can shoot continuously for more than 4 seconds in high-speed mode.
Example photo on the Nikon D 3100
Disadvantages
This is an entry-level amateur Nikon digital SLR camera, therefore, it is not worth demanding anything more from it. But still, by the camera no focus motorthat will not allow the use of autofocus with cheap non-motor optics, for example, with the legendary Nikon 50mm F1.8D. At the camera no quick flash sync, minimum is 1 / 200s. Also, there is no flash control command mode, additional monochrome display. The camera does not know how to work with manual (old, without a microprocessor) type lenses AI-S. RAW files are available only with 12 bit color depth and with automatic compression. There is no rotary display and many other useful things.
Very often there is a choice of the first SLR camera among models Nikon D3000, D3100, D3200. Of course, everything new is always better than the old one, here is a comparative plate of the main parameters of these three cameras:
| D3000 | D3100 | D3200 | |
| Exit time | December 2009 | December 2010 | July 2012 |
| Matrix | CCD | CMOS | CMOS |
| RAW color depth | 12 bit | 12 bit | 12 bit |
| Number of megapixels | 10,03 | 14,2 | 24,06 |
| Burst Speed | 3 fps | 3 fps | 4 fps |
| Maximum ISO | 1600,00 | 3200,00 | 6400,00 |
| Maximum Extended ISO | 3200 (Hi1) | 12.800 (Hi1) | 12.800 (Hi1) |
| Video length | No | 10 minutes | 20 minutes |
| Video | No | 1920 x 1080 24p | 1920x1080 30p |
| Display | 3.0 inches, 230.000 points | 3.0 inches, 230.000 points | 3.0 inches, 921.000 points |
| Focus module | Nikon Multi-CAM 1000 | Nikon Multi-CAM 1000 | Nikon Multi-CAM 1000 |
| Number of Focus Points | 11,00 | 11,00 | 11,00 |
| Measurement exposure | 420-segment RGB sensor | 420-segment RGB sensor | 420-segment RGB sensor |
| Matrix cleaning | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Memory cards | SD,SDHC | SD, SD HC, SDXC | SD, SD HC, SDXC |
| Weight without battery, g | 485,00 | 455,00 | 455,00 |
| Color Depth * (dxomark) | 22,30 | 22,50 | 24,10 |
| Dynamig Range * (dxomark) | 11,1 | 11,50 | 13,20 |
| Low-Light ISO * (dxomark) | 563,00 | 919,00 | 1131,00 |
It can also be noted that the Nikon D3100 uses a pentaser mirror, a cheaper version of the pentaprism with 95% frame coverage. The camera does not support remote control, no bracketing and the camera has a new battery, not like in D3000That does not allow to combine batteries and chargers.
Example photo on the Nikon D 3100
Personal impressions
The camera is very, very similar to its predecessors. The design looks a lot like Nikon D60, D3000. The only thing added a Live View button and a convenient switch of the shooting method. To the left of the camera there are cracks for microphone. The camera is really very light and small, almost the same as a baby Nikon D40. I recommend Nikon D3100 to anyone who wants an inexpensive DSLR with video function.
Example photo on Nikon D3100
Important Note
If you choose your first DSLR, pay attention to the fact that the quality of photos depends very much on other parameters than on the camera. I wrote in more detail in my article - It is important how to take pictures, and not by what means. I note that I'm still shooting on the simplest Nikon D40.
At low ISO, the image itself depends little on the camera - the whole photo, its dynamics, color, tonal transitions, etc. very much depend on the lens and on camera shooting mode (saturated, portrait, etc.). Here sample image at ISO 3200 original resolution.
Recommendations
If there is free money, it would not be bad to buy a pretty fast lens, it could be Nikon 35mm F1.8AF-S и Nikon 50mm AF-S F1.8, in order to unleash the potential of the camera. The whale lens that comes with the kit can be used as a good option to achieve a wide viewing angle. If you have a lens Nikon 18-105mm f / 3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX Nikkorthen they can shoot anything. What if 18-200mm - then this is one of the best options for all occasions.
Also, you can configure the Fn programmable button on the camera, I configure it to choose ISO. Before photographing set the shooting mode correctlyfor example, setting VI (saturated) for sharp and vibrant photos.
The camera has a super trick. When working with optics in manual focusing mode, the Rangefinder function can be used. The function helps you focus through the optical viewfinder. I am a big fan of manual optics, such as Helios-81H, therefore, along with Live View, this is an indispensable thing for improving manual focusing. But, as it turned out, Rangefinder does not work with manual optics, so it upset me a lot.
Example photo on Nikon D 3100
Prices for modern Nikon cameras in popular stores can look at this link.
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Conclusions
Nikon D3100 great camera for beginner photographers and for people who just need a good photo without unnecessary problems. Also, the camera shoots Full HD video with autofocus. Nikon D3100 is a compact, inexpensive and functional camera. It is enough to turn on the camera, remove the lens cap and press the shutter button and the sophisticated DSLR will do its job with a bang. Recommend.
Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram
Arkady, hello. I bought such a camera with an 18-55 lens, there are no problems with stationary objects, but when I photograph moving objects (in sport mode), for example, a child plays or a dog runs, almost all photos or details are blurry. Please tell me, maybe you need to set up something else, or use a certain shooting technique? And is it possible to take a photo of a fast-moving object (such as a car) with a blurred background with this camera? Or maybe this camera or lens is not suitable for the above tasks? And what then can be replaced at the nearest price? Immediately apologize for many questions, and thanks in advance for the answers.
Yes, you can take pictures with a blurred background, read how to do it here - https://radojuva.com.ua/2012/01/dof-best-lens-photo/.
Yes, you can take pictures of fast moving objects, for this there must be a fast shutter speed, how to do it, read here - https://radojuva.com.ua/2012/02/what-is-shutter-speed/
As an upgrade, I advise you to look at the fixes, since the rest of the cheap zooms will not give a performance increase. For example, such https://radojuva.com.ua/2011/03/obzor-nikkor-af-s-35mm-f1-8-dx/ will be a very useful addition.
Thank you very much for such a complete answer. Today I visited this site for the first time, and now I will definitely visit it regularly
Hello! There is a choice between used Nikon D80 and Nikon D3100. I would like to hear the opinion of professionals. If possible, answer the soap. What should you choose? Before that, I had nothing to do with DSLRs!
To get an answer, I need to know for what purposes the camera is being looked for, in general, recommendations on the choice and priority of choice can be found here - https://radojuva.com.ua/2013/01/what-camera-nikon-shoud-i-buy/
Hello Arkady. Help me with advice on what to buy for home use (children, mountains, dog ...). There is an opportunity to buy D3100 18-105 Kit, or d90 18-105 (but you still need to collect $). Thanks in advance.
For the user's home I advise D3100, in more detail here - https://radojuva.com.ua/2013/01/what-camera-nikon-shoud-i-buy/
Thank you for the article! In the table, just the 4th place is occupied by d3100 and d80. Funds are limited and there is a choice between the used D80 and the new whale D3100. This is the first SLR, I want more high-quality photos and try myself in the role of a photographer, albeit a family one (in the sense for my own). I ask for tips).
To start, I recommend the d3100
Thank you so much for the advice! She seems to be a little simpler!
Hello, Arkady! Tell me, please, I have a farsightedness of +2,5, can I normally see in the viewfinder? Thanks.
The camera uses diopter adjustment –1,7 + –0,5. I can’t tell if you’ll see normally.
Thanks for the answer! I’ll probably go to the store and try. Good luck!
Hello Arkady. I work in a shopping center, I sell equipment including DSLRs. I wanted to buy 3100 today, but did not like the display, although you can get used to it. 3200 should come, but they say she has more noise. What tell me?
More than sure 3200 makes less noise :)
Arkady hello!
I wanted to buy a Canon SLR camera for a family, but they advised me to better Nikon, since I am not a professional and I do not process photos in editors - they say it would be better to take Nikon - the photos are brighter and more beautiful, is it really so? Now I can not decide nikon D3100 or D3200, my husband says why overpay photos and videos from these DSLRs are the same and nothing depends on megapixels, it's all about the matrix. Arkady tell me really the quality of video and photos between them is the same?
The brightness \ vividness of photos depends on the camera settings, on the lens and what you are shooting. In the general case, Nikon \ Canon gives an exorbitant photo quality. It will not always be possible to replace the quality by eye, you will find recommendations for choosing here - https://radojuva.com.ua/2013/01/what-camera-nikon-shoud-i-buy/
Arkady hello!
Is there a Nikon d3100? Does it make sense to sell it and purchase a d5100?
I do not see the point.
Thank you very much!
Thanks for your articles! Very informative!!!
Question, in your photo descriptions, the aperture parameters are where: F1.8, f2.8 - how to set such parameters, I have a minimum - f3.5 turns out ((
Most likely you are using an 18-55 lens or similar, it has a maximum aperture of F / 3.5. In the photo I used more fast lenses that allow you to shoot at F / 1.8
I want to express my gratitude to Arkady for the excellent content of the site, and at the same time sympathize: this is how much patience you need to calmly and correctly answer the delusional questions of some, sorry, hens)
Informative. I also want to buy a D3100 kit.
Three questions:
1. Is there a possibility of manual focusing in this camera (as I understand it, it is not)?
2. Do I need an optical stabilizer? My hands are not shaking.
3. Will a good image come out if you shoot moving objects?
Thank you!
1. There is.
2. It is possible without it
4. If everything is configured correctly, it will work.
Arkady, thanks for the answers!
Hello. Presented for the birthday of Nikon D3100, the first SLR, so of course I understand very little. The photos obtained are somehow not bright, is it something with the settings or the camera itself. I took to use the Canon D600 and there the photo was much brighter.
Hello, I bought a Nikon 3100 battery so far I’m not happy, I use this toy for the first time, it’s good to watch a video about the correct use and the correct settings. Is it possible to upload a video. thanks
Good day. The situation is this, a friend of mine advises me to buy a mirrorless camera, instead of the nikon d3100 DSLR I want. (in the same price category). But I basically have a choice between nikon d3100 and canon 1100d, but I look more towards Nikon. 1 Am I making the right choice in favor of a DSLR or is it worth taking a closer look at mirrorless ones? 2 For home, child and nature, did I make the right choice not Canon 1100, but Nikon? 3 I am offered a second-hand d90, but I’m supposedly in good condition, but I think that since I’m not a pro and I’m not going to make money with a photo, maybe a new one is better, but 3100?
If you choose a mirrorless camera, then look towards Sony NEX. In general, the Nikon D3100 is preferable to the Canon 1100D.
Thanks! To be honest, in mirrorless cameras I like only two things - weight and compactness compared to DSLRs, for some reason I still don't believe in better quality photos than on a DSLR (maybe I just don't understand much about photography). So I think Nikon d3100 will remain my choice. Moreover, I see much more positive reviews. (although I asked familiar photographers - everything is for Canon, although I think if it was just the choice of an amateur DSLR to begin with, they could change their minds towards Nikon)
Good morning. Please advise which DSLR will be better? Canon EOS 550 (18-55), Nikon 3200 (18-55) or Nikon 31000 (18-105), Many thanks ...
In general, the Nikon D3200
Hello. I want to buy a Nikon D3100, but only the case is on sale. Is it possible to shoot only with the case or not. Since I want to buy a good lens, and I need to wait until it is brought to the store Thank you for the answer.
Shooting with the D3100 body (body) is not permitted.
For the fifth year I've been using Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H10. I decided to go to the mirror, although with the available soap box I get good photos. But still I want something new. For a long time already choose, choose. Nevertheless, at the moment I stopped at the Nikon D3100 + AF-S DX Nikkor 18-105mm f / 3.5-5.6G ED VR + Nikkor 50mm f / 1.8G AF-S. And after development I will already see what is needed more)))
At the weekend I’m going to Kiev, I’m thinking of buying there, since it’s cheaper than here in Belarus. Can you tell me exactly where in Kiev you can see, touch and purchase without overpayments?
Hello. I bought myself a Nikon 3100 (18-105) Do I need a flash for it? Which is best not all occasions?
The d3100 has a built-in flash, if you want an external one, I recommend this one - https://radojuva.com.ua/2012/09/obzor-nikon-speedlight-sb-700/
Sorry to write to you so late. I looked at the laptop, the photos were taken by me Nikon 3100 SLR. When enlarging the photo, the black points on the whole photo are viewed, I thought the wrong settings, and even the flash is not enough. But paying attention to all the photos taken in different modes and on the street these points are everywhere viewed. What should I do? After all, Kuma Kenos EOS500D do not have such points.
There may be different reasons for the appearance of dots. You must first determine what they are from.
Good afternoon, Arkady. I accidentally found this site and I can’t tear myself away. I am very pleased with competent advice and detailed explanations. And now the problem itself: in September I acquired the D3100, I really didn’t master it. I took it mainly for filming the child, he is engaged in dancing. At concerts, it happens that you have to shoot from the 7-10th row, the zoom on the base lens is not enough, the pictures are small. Tell me, is this my settings are wrong or another lens is needed. If the second, tell me, please, the most affordable price-quality ratio for amateur shooting.
The lens lacks zoom. Of the inexpensive options, this is - https://radojuva.com.ua/2011/03/obzor-nikon-55-200-dx-vr-otzuvu/
Good day. Recently I heard that on the Nikon 3100 the glass with a whale lens is plastic or something like that (not glass). Is this so true?
I can’t say for sure, but it is in whale 18-55 that there should be all the glass elements, possibly an aspherical hybrid element.