Nikon D3100 review

The entry-level DSLR that boasts high-end features

Successor to the popular Nikon D3000, the D3100 incorporates some of its predecessor’s tried-and-tested features, as well as gaining some new and exciting technologies.

On the outside, it doesn’t appear to be wildly different to the earlier D3000, sporting a similarly robust plastic outer shell with a tactile, ergonomically shaped rubberised grip. The top panel houses a generously proportioned Mode dial, stocked with an array of exposure modes, while a lever-style switch protrudes from underneath the dial, allowing the user to flick between four drive modes.

Viewing the camera from the front, to the right of the pop-up flash you’ll find a dedicated Flash button to activate this feature manually – pressing the button again lets you alter the Flash mode. Below this control is a customisable Function button, which can be programmed to provide fast access to one of four frequently-used functions.

Around the back, the D3100’s three-inch LCD is flanked to the left by a familiar set of well-placed buttons, giving access to the playback, main menu, zoom and info functions. To the right of the screen, a new dedicated Video button is encircled by a sprung lever. Flicking the latter control lets you quickly turn the camera’s Live View mode on or off: a new development for the interface that provides fast access to this new function. Finally, a four-way d-pad lets you pan around images in playback or scroll through on-screen menus.

techniques, as well as teaching the user the more technical aspects of photography.

When you’re ready to progress to the final stage – manual operation – a wealth of new functions and fine-tuning options are unlocked, giving you plenty of interesting ways to improve your technical knowledge and exercise more control over your images.

Picture quality in JPEGs taken straight out of the camera is very good, with plenty of rich detail, vibrant yet faithful colours and reasonably well-controlled noise. Long exposures taken in low light are pleasingly clean, while shots taken at higher ISO sensitivities generally retain a good level of detail. To go into this aspect in more depth, there is some noise appearing at around ISO 400, albeit fairly unobtrusive. ISO 800 sees some colour noise starting to creep into the shadow areas, while shots at ISO 1600 and 3200 respectively reveal gradually increasing colour noise and some loss of detail. Ideally, we’d say it’s best to stay below ISO 800, reserving the highest native settings for emergencies. The top expanded setting (Hi2) is best avoided if possible.

There’s a slight issue with auto white balance accuracy under tungsten lighting, with shots under such conditions sometimes appearing overly warm (corrected by selecting a different WB setting or editing post-shoot), however outdoors the D3100 performs very well. Dynamic range in very high-contrast situations seems to be a slight issue, though the camera’s Active D-Lighting feature helps to expand the range of light and dark tones captured under adverse conditions, as does shooting RAW.

Overall, the D3100 is a likeable camera. A very well-specified entry-level model, it has a lot to offer first-time DSLR buyers and has such an array of auto and advanced features that it’s not a model you’ll grow out of too quickly. Start your journey into the realms of DSLR photography with a D3100 and it will grow with you as your skills progress.

Aside from the new Video button, the only other real alterations of note externally are the newly added socket for connecting Nikon’s GP1 GPS unit and an HDMI port to hook up the D3100 to an HDTV – a vital connection for today’s HD

movie-enabled DSLRs.

On the inside, Nikon has opted for a complete refresh of technologies. At the D3100’s heart beats a brand new 14.2MP DX-format CMOS sensor, replacing the D3000’s somewhat dated 10MP offering. Discerning photographers who want to make the very best of this sensor’s capabilities will really appreciate the D3100’s ability to record RAW files and Fine JPEGs simultaneously, allowing for greater creative flexibility.

One of the D3100’s biggest improvements over its predecessor is the inclusion of an excellent Live View mode. The ability to shoot stills using a live image on the camera’s LCD has become a de rigueur feature among entry-level models of late, and the D3100’s mode can be accessed quickly via that previously mentioned sprung lever. Not only does Live View functionality prove its usefulness when shooting static studio setups or macro subjects at awkward angles, for example, but it also has benefits for visually impaired photographers. In addition, it’s a feature that helps to bridge the gap between photographing with a compact and learning how to use a DSLR: an important asset for those upgrading to an interchangeable lens camera for the first time.

The next headline feature is a pioneering Full HD movie mode. This is the first of Nikon’s models to boast 1920 x 1080 resolution movie recording, and – this point aside – it’s an exceptional feature to have on an entry-level model if you’re a budding film director as well as a stills enthusiast.

The camera’s Video mode is quickly accessed via the press of the dedicated Movie button. Full HD movies are richly detailed, demonstrating relatively smooth panning with just a hint of smearing on occasion when moving the camera. We were particularly impressed by the sound quality, and there were very few issues with noise generated by the breeze blowing across the microphone. The D3100 does offer the option of using full-time AF when recording movies, however the sound of the autofocus working is clearly audible on the recording, so it’s advisable to stick to focusing manually if you’re filming in a quiet environment and don’t intend to add music later.

The three-inch 230,000-dot LCD sports a wide viewing angle and effective anti-reflective coating, making it easy to view from most vantage points. The screen would benefit from being higher resolution, but with all of the other high-end features on offer, it’s perhaps a bit of a big ask. That said, the screen does a decent job of displaying fairly detailed images in playback and is easy to work with in both Live View and Movie mode.

With such a comprehensive feature set, it’s easy to forget that this is a camera aimed primarily at first-time DSLR owners. In spite of this, the D3100 provides a good range of advanced features that mean it will continue to serve its owner as their skills progress. Shoot in any of the scene modes or with the camera on Auto mode and you can effectively use it as a point-and-shoot. Once you’re ready to start working the camera manually, its newly-revised Guide mode will help you to familiarise yourself with the key technical concepts. Activate Guide mode and you are presented with three options: Shoot, View/Delete or Set up, each of which leads to further options. For example, select Shoot and you’re asked whether you want Easy or Advanced operation, or if you’d like to use the self-timer or Quiet functions. Easy operation will give you a list of scenarios to choose from, for example No flash or Distant subjects, each of which provides a quick explanation of each mode, before asking if you want to shoot with the viewfinder, use Live View, or shoot a movie in your chosen mode. It’s all very simple to follow, and with a bit of practise it shouldn’t take long for new users to start venturing into the mode’s Advanced section.

The latter works in a similar way to the Easy division of this feature, but gives a more detailed explanation of how to master some more advanced