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
what can I change my d3100 18-55 for ??? options - d200. d80. d90 (you'll have to starve =)) kenon 50d. (I'll stay hungry too_)
For what purposes do you need to change? I am in favor of not starving, the D3100 is an excellent camera, superior in its picture to the D200 and D80. If you take, then at least D90.
Hello! Tell me which hood to choose for Nikon 3100 (18-55) while I have a protective filter…. need an extra ring ??
for 18-55 there are Chinese native hoods, the original ones - I have not met
and tell me more please, I have to go to sea ... in what mode to shoot, so that there are bright and juicy photos ??? thanks in advance!!!!
Picture Control VI (Saturated)
Good evening everyone, Arkady, please help with this question, I decided to buy the first DSLR, and I have a choice: Nikon D3100 kit 18-55 vr. or Canon EOS 1100D 18-55 IS Kit or Canon EOS 550D 18-55 IS Kit or Pentax Kr + DA L 18-55mm.
the camera is needed for photographing the family at sea, outdoors, at home, for everyday shooting, as a replacement for the Canon A610 digital soap dish. and please tell me which one is best for me to buy a lens in the place of 18-55 kit
I would take D3100 or 550D for such purposes. D3100 is better because it has a constant focus when shooting video. The lens needs more universal, at least 18-105.
and pentax, what can you say about him?). please tell me please in simple words, what bracketing is responsible for, and what a screwdriver is, as I understand it, this is not in Nikon 3100, and it’s bad that this is not
I did not encounter Pentax Kr. Read about bracketing and the focus motor (screwdriver)
please tell me Arkady, what advise ?:
- Nikon d5100 Kit 18-55VR - 5 100 UAH.
- Nikon D3100 18-105VR Kit - 5 400 UAH.
- Canon EOS 550D 18-55 IS Kit - 5400
(all without official warranty)
Personally, I recommend the D3100 18-105VR
Arkady, I would like to sincerely consult with you. I actually have a d3100, I squeeze out a lot, I use Soviet manuals, the results are very good, there are a number of optics and light fixtures. In general, everything satisfies me. It has been established that after cameras of this level it is necessary to upgrade. Whether it is necessary? If, after all, yes - for what?
If everything suits you and everything works out, then you can do it without an upgrade. For example, I have a D40 and I sometimes shoot with it. If you make an upgrade, then at least Nikon D7000, and if you have money, then better on D700 / D3
I bought Helios 81N, but for some reason it doesn’t spin completely, just hang all the way and hang out, what's the reason?
For which camera?
for nikon 3100
help me please)
can you file it somehow you need? so that the end spins
if hanging out, it needs repair.
Hello. Tell me who is in the know, something happened to me with the Nikon 3100 in auto mode, the click does not work, that is, the flash rises and the photo does not work. Tell me how to configure it? my mob. 380501751500 or write. I look forward to hearing from you what to do.
There can be a thousand solutions. Here are the most basic ones:
1. No card inserted.
2. Delayed shooting mode is on.
3. No contact with the lens, etc.
If you describe in more detail what the camera shows or how it is configured, perhaps I will give you a more detailed solution to the problem.
and her lenses can be changed !?
Yes, you can, in the title photo there is a camera without a lens, and in the article I gave recommendations on lenses.
Does it make sense to switch from a nikon (d3100 + a pair of lenses) to a Canon system ... I was really attracted by cheap lenses ...
Depending on your needs.
Hello! Tell me how at the place of purchase to check the DSLR for performance. (Also the first) Thank you in advance!
If you haven’t done this before and didn’t have experience with cameras, then it will be difficult to check. The best option would be to take a friend who understands cameras. This question is similar to the question “how to check a car before buying” and requires a separate article. Basically, you need to check the integrity of the case and the purity of the matrix.
Good afternoon! I bought d3100, but I don’t understand how to make the first setting !!!! Tell me how is it right?
If you mean the first shot, then just attach the lens, remove the lens cap, set the AUTO mode on the mode dial, insert the memory card and press the big black button. If you mean something else, reformulate the question. By the way, all the answers can be found in the instructions for the device.
But still, the camera does not have a focus motor, which will not allow the use of cheap non-motorized optics, for example, the legendary Nikon 50mm F1.8D.
The author does not mislead people if the camera does not have a focus motor, this does not mean that you can not use non-motor optics with it! You turn on the range finder, select the focus point and focus with the handles, while the range finder will tell you everything and show, the pictures are excellent !!! I say this because I myself use this carcass with a Nikon 50mm F1.8D AF lens.
Took into account. But, you also make a panacea out of manual focus, manual focusing will not allow you to shoot more or less dynamic shooting, including serious commercial shooting, for the quality of which you will have to answer, and also, when focusing manually on longer lenses, it will be more difficult to focus sharpness. At the same time, it should be borne in mind that since the camera is an amateur, it is designed for people who need a “turn on and off” mode, such a manual focusing maneuver will not work.
I agree with you “will not allow you to shoot more or less dynamic shooting”. I just wanted to say that the joint use of a carcass and optics is possible, and this lens is a portrait lens and I use it exclusively for these purposes where there is no dynamic shooting, and I do not feel much inconvenience that there is no autofocus. Of course, you can use the handles to focus on long-focal lenses, I talked about a specific Nikon 50mm F1.8D lens. This lens can be purchased for creating bokeh. Well, an amateur will not be able to simply “turn on and off” bokeh, he should at least understand how to prioritize the aperture, but if he understands this, then it will not be difficult to focus with the handles when the rangefinder is on, IMHO my opinion, I think you are with me here too agree.
Yes, I agree. If you notice, in the text of the review I made your correction precisely on the impossibility of automatic focusing with 50 1.8D. My article on Nikon lens accuracy just states that on non-powered cameras, everything will work just like with other AF-S lenses, except for autofocus itself.
It was nice to talk with you, just a newcomer friend selects a DSLR and came across your article, and began to prove to me that in principle it is impossible to use that lens with this carcass :) Thank you for the quick adjustment in the article, I'll go show him :) Good luck!
I advise another small article for review on the compatibility of Nikon cameras and lenses https://radojuva.com.ua/2012/03/nikon-lenses/
Arakadiy, tell me why test shots of d3100 (on iso up to 400) on the dipview http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond3100/16
worse than olympus epl-1? The matrix seems to be larger and the quality of the camera jpeg is many times worse. Is this a consequence of the fact that the noise reduction works worse than that of the Olympus or is the d3100 matrix worse though more? Perhaps these are the problems of the China lens and the solution to the problem in another glass?
And where did you get that worse?
In my opinion (looking for example on iso 400) it’s worse because there are fewer details, the color is not as juicy as the Olympus (the picture is faded, fresh). If I understand correctly, the saturation of details can be checked by the weight of the photo. A snapshot from the d3100 weighs less than that of the Olympus by 2 MB.
1. Different camera settings are responsible for the color. For Nikon, this is a Picture Control (https://radojuva.com.ua/2012/01/hitrosti-na-nikon/), depending on which the "juicy" color is obtained. It is not known what settings were tested. The lens is responsible for the details, but which one was for the test here and there? Most likely different. Often, all the "juiciness" is "twisted", not true.
2. You can't really define anything by weight. JPEG is an interpolation algorithm that is very flexible and uses devilishly complex compression algorithms, with it there can and there are cases where less image weight outweighs more weight in quality. Also, keep in mind that they have a different number of megapixels - and this is the main reason for the different weight of the images.
3. By and large, such a comparison gives nothing.
Arkady, thanks for the answer. I really like the Nikon system. There used to be a Nikon d50 with a fixed 50 / 1.8d + Marumi filter and I loved it more than my wife for the ability to “embellish and make more joyful” the gray life. Now I want to regain my former emotions. I am interested in the ability to detail this matrix (I plan to shoot macro and supermacro and the subject), and also sometimes take everyday pictures. I hesitate between Olympus and this Nikon. Do you have some sample photos with high details on small iso? I'm interested in chamber jpeg for the subject on the site (less fuss so that).
There is. Write me an e-mail, which you will find in contacts, I will try to send in the evening.
Hello! I am the proud owner of d 3100 + 18-105. I want to ask for help in selecting a wide-angle lens for this lens, 67 mm landing thread. Should i buy digital? I know perfectly well that the SHU lens is a thousand times better, but it is really not always convenient to drag and rearrange the lenses, so I’m looking for the attachment. Thank you all in advance !!!
As far as I know, there are only cheap nozzles for 18-55 with 52mm thread, for 67mm it will be difficult to find. The game is not worth the candle.
This will be my first SLR. At first I wanted to buy a D3200, but I was recommended this model. Is it worth it to take and will I have a 18-55 lens? (I photograph for the soul)
Yes, the 3100 is a great camera, for beginners I recommend it. It is better to take with a lens 18-105.
Thank you)
Should I buy this camera in an online store?
I did not quite understand the question. You can buy in an online store.
Good afternoon! please tell me ... I have a nikon d3100, I decided to use the Pentacon auto 1.8 / 50 lens, which adapter will exactly fit my device ??
thanks in advance !
M42-Nikon (with or without a lens), it is also called KP-42 \ N, in more detail in the Soviet optics section.
Yes
Hello! Arkady please help make the right choice. I get the first SLR camera, I originally planned to take the Nikon D5100 kit 18-55, but now I understand that this makes no sense, and I want to buy the D3100. The whole question is in choosing a lens, as I understand it, the final result (photo quality) depends on it in the majority. Please advise the best option of those considered: Nikon D3100 kit 18-105 or Nikon D3100 body + Tamron 17-50mm F / 2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF), or maybe you will advise something more interesting in your own right in this price segment. The camera is purchased exclusively for a family photo and I want to get a maximum of bright, color, clear and realistic photos.
Both options are good. I would take kit 18-105
What is its advantage over Tamron 17-50?
high zoom ratio