Comfortable, competent, and delivering impressive image quality, the D3100 is Nikon’s best entry level offering yet

Nikon D3100

14.2MP entry-level DSLR

$599.95 w/ 18-55mm lens

www.nikon.com

Moving up from a point and shoot camera to a camera with more versatility thanks to interchangeable lenses, and improved image quality thanks to larger sensor sizes, has never been as tricky as it is today. Where as just a couple of years ago you were limited to an entry-level DSLR camera, today one has the option of a number of compact system cameras, hybrid cameras like Panasonic’s G2, and a wide range of “entry-level” DSLRs that offer varying specifications at incrementally larger price points. Several camera makers, including Nikon, will even offer 2 entry level models, a bare bones basic model, and a slightly improved one. Even this distinction is getting more and more blurry, as “trickle down” inevitably means that the bottom rung of the ladder has similar specifications and sometimes better, as the higher end models.

Speaking of the bottom rung, on August 19, 2010, Nikon introduced their successor to the D3000, the Nikon D3100, bringing aspiring photographers more resolution, full time auto focus in Live View, and 1080p HD video recording at the press of a button. At the time of its release, the D3100 offered the second most resolution of any Nikon DSLR, and clearly is the most impressively spec’d entry-level Nikon yet released. Improvements or changes from the Nikon D3000 include:

• Higher resolution image sensor (14.2MP vs. 10MP)
• Live View
• Drive mode switch
• Improved, more prominent controls
• Expeed 2 processing
• Added thumb grip material
• Removed wireless remote option
• 1080p @24fps HD movies
• HDMI output
• ISO range expanded to 12,800
• Full-time AF mode in live view
• Connection added for Nikon’s GPS unit

So, the D3100 is a notably improved camera versus its predecessor, but it still continues Nikon’s effort to make their entry-level models easier to use for the beginning photographers intended to use it. It does that via a helpful guide mode that walks the inexperienced through the proper camera settings to use for “Landscapes”, “Moving Subjects”, “Portraits”, even “Sleeping Faces” (?!). But as with the D3000, the D3100 does provide some room to grow. Sure, you can start with AUTO and Guide modes, but when you’re ready, Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Manual shooting modes are at your disposal.

Still, we have a few issues with the D3100. It retains the D3100′s low resolution LCD, has a very irksome Live View implementation (more on that later), and inexplicably doesn’t offer exposure bracketing… a feature so basic that many point and shoot cameras offer it. Ok, it isn’t perfect, but compact and competent it is, and it unquestionably makes a great gateway into the excellent Nikon stable of DSLR cameras.

Specifications
Camera	Nikon D3100
Street Price	$599.95 w/ 18-55mm lens
Sensor	14.2MP 23.1 x 15.4 mm CMOS sensor
AF System	11 pt. TTL phase detection | Nikon Multi-CAM1000 autofocus module
ISO Range	100-12800
Continuous Shooting	3.7 fps 8 RAW frames or 20 JPEG frames (ADL on)
LCD	3.0″ TFT LCD | 230,000 pixel
Viewfinder	Pentamirror, Frame coverage 95% (approx.) | Viewfinder magnification approx. 0.8x
Shooting Modes	Program, Shutter-priority, Aperture-priority, Manual, Guide, Auto, Flash Off
Scene Modes	Portrait, Landscape, Child, Sports, Close up, Night
Video	1920 x 1080 (1080p, 16:9) @24 fps, 1280x720p (HD): 30, 25 or 24 fps, 640×480 (SD): 24fps MOV format using H.264 compression, linear PCM audio
Output	USB 2.0 (Hi-Speed) | Mass storage / PTP selectable | A/V out | HDMI out | DC-IN (optional AC adapter and adapter connector)
Storage	SD / SD HC / SDXC | FAT / FAT32 | Supports firmware update via SD card
Dimensions	4.9 x 3.8 x 3″ (124.46 x 96.52 x 76.2mm) camera
Weight	1 lbs (453g) Body without battery, memory card, or body cap

Technical Analysis

We’ll admit to being pleasantly surprised by the image quality offered by the D3100. I’d just naturally assumed that it wouldn’t be offering anything close to the picture quality that we’d seen with the Nikon D7000, whose 16.2MP sensor is frankly one of the best available in an APS-C camera. But as it turns out the D3100′s 14.2MP sensor is impressive in its own right, offering very pleasing image quality, plenty of detail, and truly impressive ISO range. True it isn’t as good as the D7000, but it is a noticeable improvement over the D3000′s 10MP sensor in every regard. RAW or JPEG, both file formats offered fine, ready to print results, and while the included 18-55mm kit lens is quite competent for what it is, we were able to pull some wonderful results from superior Nikon glass.

Additionally, one wouldn’t expect this level of ISO performance from a gateway DSLR, but that’s exactly what the D3100 delivered. Shooting in RAW, the D3100 produced reliably usable ISO 6400 shots, and I’d bet many photographers will be surprised at the D3100′s ISO 12,800 shots. Generally a camera’s ISO range is extended at least one stop beyond what it should be, but with the D3100, its top range looks to be a reasonable insurance measure for bringing home a decent shot in tough lighting scenarios. Again, this is assuming you’re shooting in RAW, as the the D3100′s JPEG engine really lays too heavy a hand on noise reduction past ISO 800, leaving you with less and less detail. In addition to handling noise reduction yourself, shooting in RAW will provide you with two more benefits that will come in handy with the D3100. First the D3100′s AWB handles indoor light a bit too warmly and JPEG shooting would “bake” those results in. Second, while the D3100 tends to blow highlights, it does provide a good deal of latitude for bringing those highlights back in post-processing…assuming you’re shooting RAW. All in all, impressive image quality from Nikon’s most basic DSLR model.

Despite not offering barn burning continuous shooting abilitites, the D3100 still manages to be a very deft performer. General camera operation always feels quite responsive, more so than other cameras costing a bit more. Press a button and your greeted with a near instantaneous response, and even switching back and forth between playback and shooting mode is practically instantaneous. Start up times too are near instant, this camera is ready to go at a moment’s notice and shutter delay is for all intents and purposes, non-existent. Continuous shooting is pegged at 3 fps, about average for a camera in this class. This 3fps burst is good for 8 RAW frames or 20 JPEG frames, and unlike its predecessor, seems entirely unaffected by having the D3100′s optional Active D-Lighting turned on

Focusing duties are handled by an 11 pt. AF system that’s overall performance and speed is mostly dependent on the lens selected since Nikon doesn’t include an focus motor on the camera itself. For the most part though, and this includes the 18-55mm kit lens that the D3100 ships with, the D3100 is a reliably fast focusing camera, even in conditions where there is very little available light. We tested the D3100 with several higher quality Nikkor lenses and noticed improved results, especially when using the D3100′s continuous-servo AF (AF-C) mode, and dynamic or 3-D tracking AF area options. For action shooters, the Nikon D3100 probably shouldn’t be your first choice, but with smartly chosen glass, the D3100 can manage to bring home dynamic subjects with more skill than several other cameras in this class.

Live View focusing is more disappointing. Set to a single area, a typical focusing cycle is about 1 second, which admittedly is better that what one expects from a DSLR Live View system, but nowhere near what users will find in non-DSLR alternatives, or their previous point and shoot for that matter. Then there’s the D3100 oft mentioned AF-F  mode (Full-time servo AF), it essentially offers continuous focus while using Live View, but it doesn’t offer near enough speed to capture anything more than the slowest moving subjects, nor is it responsive enough to handle video duties reliably…or quietly.

The Nikon D3100 In the Field

We’ve always been able to count on Nikon for providing well made, and perhaps more importantly, ergonomically satisfying camera bodies, and that continues with the D3100. The D3100 looks and feels like a quality product, while being compact, light, and remarkably comfortable in the hand. If the grip were a bit deeper, the D3100 would be headed into ideal territory, but in the meantime we’re happy to have sturdy memory card and battery bay covers, a nice swatch of rubber material covering the camera’s grip, and the new addition of a rear grip patch on the camera’s thumb rest.

The D3100′s control layout is also well designed. Despite being entry-level, the D3100 offers a nice selection of physical controls, improving on the D3000 by now offering an excellent drive mode switch at the base of the shooting mode dial and a combination live view switch/movie record button. Still, it could offer more control, the D3100′s multi-selector is suspiciously free of any ability to implement camera setting changes, but at least a programmable Fn button allows photographers access to ISO control if desired.

Nikon’s reasoning for minimizing physical control options will likely be that it’s intended to not overwhelm its likely inexperienced users. As such, most of what needs to be done to control the D3100 will be done via its interface. The Nikon D3100 has an interactive info display that one can manipulate by pressing the “i” button, and then navigating and/or changing the various options with the multi-selector. Confusingly, in addition to the “i” button there is also an “info” button, but according to the manual the “i” button doesn’t also stand for info, instead it’s short for “information edit”. Regardless, it makes sense when you’re using the camera, and we must say that Nikon has done a great job at enabling the photographer to make quick and easy camera changes. One more thing, in addition to the full-on “Guide” mode, the D3100 has a very convenient “?” or “Help” button that provides genuinely helpful explanations for every camera setting.

Flip the dedicated Live View switch and you’ll enter the D3100′s Live View shooting mode. The default view shows you your basic shooting info and the focal point, but pressing the “info” button enables optional unobstructed and grid overlay views. Given the D3000 didn’t offer Live View, I suppose we should be grateful to have it here on the D3100, but unfortunately as it is implemented here, its usefulness is tempered by a couple of major annoyances. Most troubling is the strange oddity of not being able to view aperture changes while in Live View. Adjust exposure compensation and you can see the changes, but if you adjust the aperture, you’ll see no corresponding change in depth of field. If you take a picture after making an aperture change, that change will be reflected in the capture, but it’s annoying to have not been able to see that in a so called “Live View”. Even more annoying though, if you start recording video after making an aperture change in Live View, that change is not reflected in the video, which makes the whole scenario just downright confusing. And there’s more…the D3100 doesn’t offer a live histogram, which should be requisite on every Live View camera, and the D3100′s Live View magnification is far too low-res to be useful for making critical adjustments. This latter issue makes landscape and macro work more difficult than it should be, and dampens the usefulness of having Live View in the first place. Yes, it focuses faster than many DSLR Live View systems (that aren’t made by Sony) but the odd aperture issue, lack of a live histogram, and poor magnification implementation mean that the D3100′s Live View system was unexpectedly disappointing.

We have one more remaining negative, but not before commenting on the otherwise satisfying shooting experience provided by the D3100. For the most part, the D3100 is quite an enjoyable, and perhaps more importantly, an easy camera to operate. Again, operational speeds are snappy, the camera is quite comfortable, and the control setup should be simple enough to grasp even for the largely inexperienced. Beginners have access to a reliable AUTO shooting mode, a hand-holding Guide mode, and plenty of in-camera help right at your fingertips. More experienced photographers can explore PASM shooting modes, and we like that the D3100 can even be operated without lowering it from eye-level since exposure compensation and even ISO (remember that programmable “Fn” button) can be adjusted  in the viewfinder. As with other Nikon DSLRs, the D3100 also makes it ridiculously easy to adjust your focal point’s location, simply by moving the multi-selector. Few other cameras make it this easy to go off center with your focus, though we’d certainly like to see Nikon’s implementation on other camera maker’s entries.

It would have been nice to have some more creative filters on board, but we can get past that. Harder to accept though is the D3100′s lack of exposure bracketing. That’s right, a feature you’ll find even on point and shoot cameras, isn’t present on the D3100, and that’s a major no-no as far as we’re concerned. We’d say that Nikon probably didn’t want to overwhelm beginners, but when a camera offers a Guide mode that eases photographers into more advanced aspects of shooting with a DSLR camera, it seems inexplicable that a feature as basic as bracketing wouldn’t be provided. Even still, the D3100 largely remained in our good graces though we remain perturbed by these seemingly unnecessary design flaws.

Image Samples

We’ve attached a few image samples to provide you with an idea of what the Nikon D3100 is capable of. For further examples check out our full-size RAW ISO samples, JPEG ISO samples, and the original full-size image samples.

It Takes Video Too

Along with Live View, the D3100′s most advertised new feature has to be the ability to shoot 1080p HD video. The Nikon D3100 does indeed shoot very nice quality 1080p HD video at 24 fps, in addition to 720p video at 30, 25, and 24 fps, with the files being saved using H.264 compression (.MOV). Sound is unfortunately mono only, with no input for a stereo mic either, though at least the D3100 does provide an HDMI port for connection to your HDTV. Implementation is easy enough, just press the record button while in Live View mode, and the D3100 immediately starts recording. We always welcome the direct record button, but omitting a dedicated movie making shooting mode as the D3100 does means the videographer can’t compose his video using the proper 16:9 aspect before hitting the record button.

As we stated prior, the D3100′s Live View aperture glitch means that you have to adjust your proper aperture prior to jumping into Live View if you’re recording video, meaning whatever aperture you enter Live View with, will be the one you record with, regardless of whatever changes you make before hitting the record button. Note also that the D3100 doesn’t really offer full control over exposure while recording video. You can lock exposure and you can adjust exposure compensation, but full control isn’t happening with the D3100.

Finally despite the fact that the D3100 provides an full time autofocus option (AF-F), it really isn’t all that practical to use, since it’s both too noisy and too slow, though we suspect if Nikon had video optimized lenses it would be far more effective.

We’ve included a few clips to give you an idea of the Nikon D3100′s video abilities. As always, actual results are superior to what YouTube’s compression might imply.

Final Opinion

Nikon D3100

likes:

Very good image quality

Excellent ergonomics and build

Easy to use

dislikes:

Lacks exposure bracketing

Poor Live View implementation

Low resolution LCD

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 stable. There are no worries here in the image quality department, as the D3100 delivers very attractive captures thanks to an improved sensor that offers plenty of details, and combined with Nikon’s new EXPEED 2 processing, also delivers surprisingly good ISO performance. Overall ergonomics and handling characteristics too are very good, the D3100, like every recent Nikon DSLR we’ve tested, fits great in the hands and has a smart control layout even for an entry level camera.

But before continuing on with our praise for the D3100, we do have to run through our list of negatives, several of which seem so unnecessary that they become downright confounding as well as aggravating. The strange aperture glitch in Live View is one such example. We can deal with not seeing the aperture adjustment “live”, but it is certainly confusing to have changed the aperture and have it reflected in your still image, but not in the video. Then there’s the issue of poor magnification in the D3100′s Live View, which is further exasperated by the D3100′s low quality LCD, which, at 230K, simply doesn’t provide the detail needed to show real critical focus…even if the D3100 handled magnification better in Live View. Finally, there can be no excuse at all for not having exposure bracketing on the D3100. Sure, you can manually bracket yourself, but how much more convenient is it to have a camera on a tripod automating the process. Fans of HDR photography will be highly annoyed with this omission, as well as those just looking to simply make sure they’ve properly exposed their subject of choice.

Still, despite all those negatives, we continued to have largely positive feelings about the Nikon D3100 and can certainly warmly “Recommend” it…if you’re a less advanced photographer looking to purchase your first DSLR camera. For those with more skill, the D3100 is not recommended, trust us…you’ll want a camera with a better LCD and you’ll certainly want a camera that offers exposure bracketing. Even the less advanced will have to consider the other alternatives before purchasing the D3100 as today’s market means that a traditional DSLR is not your only option for bringing home captures with image quality far superior to your current point and shoot. You can get better than compact image quality in an even smaller package with the ability to change lenses, all for the same price…and it might possibly be even more fun to use (See our Olympus E-PL2 review for one such example). Alternatively, entry-level photographers have cheaper DSLR alternatives (the Sony A390 for example), and in our opinion, a possibly better and more fun option in the Pentax K-r, now just a mere $50 higher than the D3100 (editor: read our review of the Pentax K-r).

For those that know they want a DSLR camera, the D3100 will make a fine first camera, offering excellent image quality, build, handling, and even pretty darn good video. It isn’t without its share of annoyances, but it is still a really good camera that offers room to grow and access to the excellent Nikon DSLR system.

CGG Editor’s Rating:
value:
7
design:
8
features:
7
performance:
7
image quality:
9

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