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
Good day! Please tell me in the kit I have a charger with a fork with two flat plates. And there are no nozzles for the euro outlet in the kit. Well, the tip that puts on the charger. Could there be such equipment depending on the country or just forgot to complete the plant ??
Thank you in advance
Nikon D32000 - how to shoot video?
To begin, put the camera in live-view mode, focus and focus to start shooting, press the red button.
The 3200 is a newer model, but one of the downsides is the awful auto white balance. What about the 3100 with this position? Thanks. My beloved D60 "died", I want to take something equal in functionality, no more is needed. Please advise!
models of the 3xxx series will not replace the d60, IMHO it is worth considering the d90 or d7000 models. you shouldn't overpay for d3200 ... if it's cheaper then d3100 is a little more expensive than d5200 with a rotary display as I remember)
Eugene, thank you. Did I understand correctly that in quality (and in descending order), 5200 came first, then 3200 (3100) and then D90 and D700? Or is the D90 better than 3200 and 5200? Thanks.
How to change aperture (f) on nikon d3100? or does it stay the same except from f3.5 to f5.6?
minimum aperture 3.5 in the value of 18mm lens kit 18-55? maximum aperture 22. to change the aperture, hold down the [+/-] button (to the left of the shutter button) and scroll the wheel to set the desired aperture.
Good afternoon! I have 3100 with a Kitov lens. Who knows, advise a good lens for the most saturated colors of the picture, but with a budget of up to 5000-6000 thousand hryvnias, as I was told (you can’t look at Nikon in tamron) But I’m sorry at all I don’t understand them. I need a gift for my beloved! Thank you in advance!
Tell me please. It’s such a hunch that the dioptric adjustment of the viewfinder is not enough, the vision is -1, the correction is twisted to the maximum, the image itself seems clear, and the numbers blur. Cant this instance? Models? Are there ways to deal with this?
I looked in the viewfinder d300 everything is clear there.
I rack my brains with the choice of D3100 or D5100, the latter is almost $ 100 more expensive with us. are there many advantages?
Good evening! Recently I bought a d3100, it seems to work fine, but with a shot in real time, it makes two clicks when shooting ... If anyone knows who it should be, or not?
When shooting through LiveView? It should be so.
Several dust particles are visible in the viewfinder, even if you do not bring it to the eye.
When sighting through the VI, several small spots are visible, slightly less than the focus points.
It seems that the dust got into the viewfinder itself, just how?
It is often worth choosing the first SLR camera among the Nikon D3000, D31000, D3200 models. One extra zero ...
how to shoot video at night if there is no lighting?
how long can Nikon d3100 serve me, in good conditions, what will break first or that often break first?
the brain of people from whom you will constantly ask for advice.
good day. Tell a friend about Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f / 2.8 XR Di LD Aspherical (IF) Nikon F.
Good day to everyone !!! Tell the newcomer, please! Photos of the waist turn out blurry in any mode, in the viewfinder, only one focus point appears when shooting. How to fix the problem, before that everything was ok?
I’ve already figured out everything, who can come in handy: on the lens, the focus button was switched to manual A \ M.
Hello, tell me how to switch the photo to the screen so that it can be seen that fotoesh on nikon 3100
Hello. formed such a problem. Nikon D3100. he is 4 years old. lately the pictures have become kind of grainy. can you tell what to do and what it can be because of?
yak divitsya video video.
Arkady, hello. I bought Nikon D3100, but when I shot the video and watch it on my laptop, it “jumps”, ie. turns out abruptly jerky. Can you tell me why?
Tell me whether it is possible to make the names of pictures on a USB flash drive recorded by the shooting date or otherwise and not be repeated after erasing. At the moment, DCS_0001 and further in ascending order, after erasing it starts again from the first. In the future, zaparka when transferring to a computer many identical names.
Hello! Please help me with choosing a zoom lens for the Nikon d3100, something is better than the native whale. The budget is limited. Thank you)
Hello, I have a Nikon d3100, we used it normally, didn’t climb into the settings, went for a walk, turn it on, and on the screen the grid and in the upper left corner countdown 30 seconds, tell me how to remove it.
Good afternoon ..
The fourth day I read articles and reviews about DSLRs, soon the smoke will go from my ears, but I need to decide urgently .. I also re-read a lot on this site .. But the question still remains: what to take?
The camera is needed for the family .. Shooting at home and in nature .. There is a desire to thoroughly engage in photo-making .. The budget is limited ..
Now I am torn between Nikon D3100 from 18-105 and Nikon D5200 with whale 18-55 ..
I do not consider Nikon D3200 because of the large pixels (I read a lot of reviews about the criticality in this case to good optics) ..
How inferior is the display of the 3100 from the 5100 and is this difference critical?
Help!
Alexey, you are buying a camera, not a TV set. The screen should not be an important criterion when choosing, especially since the screen quality of the D3100 is quite decent. The fact that it is not a pivot for the D3100 is another story. Kit 18-105 is in every way preferable to Kit 18-55. But still it's up to you. The D5100 has a little more goodies and a better matrix. So all the same, if finances allow, IMHO is better than 5100.
You write:
* Now I am tossing between the Nikon D3100 from 18-105 and the Nikon D5200 with whale 18-55 ..
You probably meant the D5100!
If there is a desire to thoroughly engage in photography, find d300 / d300s on the secondary market (you can take it for 15/20 thousand, respectively), a carcass, and this will be enough for you with a margin, plus the possibility of using manual and old non-motorized optics.
And dig up Soviet lenses for the first time (half a tine or 135 Jupiter) - the very thing for training, and then see what else to buy.
Or you can buy Canon 5d right away. It now stands about 6/7 yew. hryvnias and on characteristics is not inferior to d3100, despite the fact that there will be an FF matrix. By the way, I was thinking about replacing my d3100 with a second-hand Canon 5d. I would like to know if the painful transition is very painful in terms of ergonomics and convenience (2 years on Nikon)? I like everything in Nikon, but I can't financially reach the “cheapest” Nikon's ff. The Canon attracts a large matrix, color rendition and a short working segment, but the change of religion and the “index finger twist” frightens. Carry collecting m39 / m42 and other "dinosaurs". Autofocus does not play a special role, but a large viewfinder with replacement focusing screens would help me a lot. And I would also like to know how convenient it is to work with focusing screens with Doden wedges on the crop and ff (is the picture much darker?)
On a 3100 crop with wedges - it's inconvenient, it's too dark ...
and on FF and without them everything is awesome.
Pyatak, if Nikon's system is strong "in hand", it may be inconvenient (there is also a different logic of commands), although I rented for a day or two, in principle I rented without any special undertakings, but still - somewhat inconvenient.
Rent it and find out.
Good day! Please tell me how to create one in the Nikon D3100 from 18-105 so that the background is blurred in the photo, for example, like in your photo with a New Year’s toy ???
Thank you!