Отзывы о Цифровой Фотоаппарат Nikon D3100

I am a photography teacher in NYC and online. (See my Amazon profile for my website.) I teach beginner and intermediate photography students every week. I've also been a professional photographer for the last five years with images published in The New York Times, GQ, New York Magazine, Women's Wear Daily, The New York Observer, The Village Voice and Time Out New York.(This review is for beginner photographers.)If you're a beginner, you're most likely asking yourself: Nikon or Canon? Really, I feel confident in saying that you can't go wrong with either. I've used both brand's cameras extensively and find that they both offer amazing image quality with well-built, solid cameras that, if taken care of, will last decades. There are two differences between the cameras, though, that can be taken into consideration.The user-interface: If cameras were computers, Nikons would be PCs and Canons would be MACs. PCs are built for people not afraid of technology whereas Macs are built for people who want things super-easy. Nikons excel at customization options which means you'll see so many more options with the Advanced features of a Nikon than you will with a Canon. Canons, on the other hand, excel at ease-of-use for beginners. Canons offer less advanced options and can be easier to learn on. This can be frustrating down the line, though, once you've learned a lot about photography. At that point you may want all of the options that Nikon offers and be frustrated with your Canon. If you're someone who really likes to delve deep into your hobbies or if you're intent on becoming a professional photographer, I'd say a Nikon would be your best bet. If you're someone who wants to learn the basics of photography and only imagine yourself being a hobbyist, Canon would be a better option for you.Where Nikon excels: Flash photography. I often find myself in situations where I'm shooting event photography (weddings, movie premiers, benefits and galas) where I need to use a lot of flash. For this kind of photography, I'll always prefer to be shooting with a Nikon. Nikon's flash metering (how the camera magically decides how much light to fire out of the flash) is much more consistent than Canon's. You can take a Canon and shoot the same scene three times in a row with flash and all three images will be at different brightness levels. You can do the same thing with a Nikon and all three images will be wonderfully the same. If you're somebody who plans on shooting a lot with flash (indoor photography, event photography, etc.) you'll want to consider going with Nikon.Where Canon excels: Richness of colors. I've been in numerous situations where I've been on the red carpet taking the exact same picture as the photographer next to me. I'll have a Canon and the person next to me will have a Nikon. This has provided quite a few opportunities to compare the images side-by-side. What I've found is that the colors on the Canon's images look richer and make the image pop more. If I'm doing fine art photography (anything I'd like to someday hang in a gallery), I'll always want to be shooting with a Canon for this reason.If you're set on Nikon, there are three cameras you should be considering and it all comes down to what your budget is:D7000 $1,400 without lensD5100 $750 without lensD3100 $600 only available with lens(current prices as of 2/19/11)Here's what you get for spending extra money (each camera compared to the one below it):D3100 vs. D5100:The D3100 is an EXCELLENT camera so if you only have $550 to spend total on camera and lens then go out and buy this camera. You won't regret it. If you're considering spending more money, here's what you'll get from the D5100 in comparison:-Better performance in low light situations.-A higher resolution screen on the back of the camera so you can see your images more clearly and make out if they actually turned out well.-An external mic jack. (If you're planning on shooting video with an external mic, you'll want the D5100 over the D3100.)-A flip out screen (handy if you want to put your camera anywhere but at your eye level and be able to see what your camera is about to capture before you shoot it)-Faster continuous shooting. If you're often shooting sports or any fast moving subject, continuous shooting allows you to capture multiple images in a single second. The D3100 shoots at three frames per second whereas the D5100 shoots at four frames per second.-Higher ISO options. The D5100 offers one more stop of ISO than the D3100 does. If you don't know what ISO means (or what a stop is) just know that this allows you to more easily shoot images in low-light situations.-Longer battery life. The D5100's battery will last 20% longer than the D3100The two advantages of the D3100 over the D5100 are: less expensive and less weight. Whenever a camera is less expensive, it means you'll have more in your budget for the lens. The D3100 weighs 10% lighter and is 10% smaller than the D5100.D5100 vs. D7000

Hello there! I'm Chandler, fourteen, and an amateur photographer. I got this as my first camera back in January and the camera itself is FANTASTIC. I bought it used in perfectly good condition, it just needed cleaned and the buttons had a little wear. I'd like to give you some reasons to buy and not buy this camera:Pros:- Offers great image quality in a DX (APS-C) sized sensor (14.2 effective megapixels)- Small, lightweight, fits well in the hands.- Offers a guide mode to get you out of auto and on your way to manual- 1080p video at 24fps- Battery life is fantastic.Cons:- The lens is not pleasing. I would highly recommend getting the body only and getting, for starters, the Nikkor 35mm (52.5mm equivalent on DX sized sensors) f/1.8 AF-S prime lens (Doesn't zoom, but a lot better in low light, plus sharper). It is great in low light and offers much quality for $199.- Not fantastic in low light, "usable" images up to around ISO 1600.- Shutter buffer clogs quickly (when using 3fps burst mode)- Only 11 AF points, 1 cross-type.Overall, this camera is fantastic, especially for being two generations behind. However, what really matters most is the glass that you put in front of it. Any pro will tell you to invest in a quality lens rather than stick with the kit 18-55mm lens. Plus, if you invest now, you will be able to use that glass on any Nikon camera you buy in the future (Despite vignetting on FX (APS-H) sized sensors). Trust me, I ignored the warnings and went ahead with buying the kit lens too. I regretted it, because I always wanted more. The quality isn't great, and neither is the low-light capabilities. BUY DECENT GLASS. Spending an extra $200 on a "decent" lens will help you tremendously (cheaper if you go used, or buy manual focus lenses, some for under $100).Thank you for reading, and enjoy your plunge in to photography!

I've recently purchased the Nikon D3100 bundle at Best Buy for $550+ tax. My bundle included the camera, an 18-55 mm lens & a 55-200 mm lens, an 8 GB SD card, a Nikon lithium-ion battery & charger, camera strap, camera bag, and instructional video. I'm upgrading from a point & shoot to a DSLR and I knew that this camera was the one I wanted. It's surprisingly lightweight and easy to use, plus this is a camera I can learn and grow with. I'm looking forward to taking a class in digital photography sometime in early 2014 and I saw this camera as a very good investment. As I usually do with new cameras, I took it to my local zoo to "field-test" it and I must say that it passed with flying colors. I've only just scratched the surface and I look forward to using more of the D3100's capabilities in the near future. I'll likely purchase other accessories such as a camera remote, polarizing lenses, and a tripod in the near future. Although I have yet to use the video capabilities, it's nice to know that they're there.For anyone who wants to know if the D3100 shoots in RAW, I'm happy to say that it does. It's called NEF and this is a standalone option as well as an option +JPEG. Personally, I'm content to shoot in JPEG for now. I recently showed my camera to one of my Graphic Art instructors and she was so impressed with it that she's considering purchasing one. I told her that for the value, she could go for the bundle or the two-lens package. The D3100 gives more bang for the buck and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to upgrade from a point & shoot and not "break the bank". Whether you can only afford the basic camera with the 18-55 mm lens, the double lens deal, or the bundle, the D3100 is a bargain. Plus, you can always add more accessories and you don't need a degree to learn how to use the camera. Yes, there are more powerful cameras that have more features and are more expensive, but it's up to each person to decide how much they're able and willing to spend. I had the option to purchase either the D3100 or the Canon Rebel T3; it was the bundle that sold me on the D3100.This is a camera that I can see myself using for many years. Kudos to Nikon for offering an affordable, nicely-built DSLR at a great price.

I purchased the D3100 about a year ago and have been extremely pleased. Over this time, I have actually grown to appreciate this camera even more upon comparing it to other DSLRs including the newer D3200.This camera is small and light for a DSLR (17 ounces or so for the body). Whether this is a good or not so good thing is subjective; some people prefer a larger, more solid camera especially when using heavier lenses which can cause a light body to feel unbalanced. I personally prefer smaller/lighter cameras like many people do (ie the proliferation of mirrorless Compact system cameras). This camera is in fact within a couple of ounces of several mirrorless compact system cameras (ie the Olympus OMD-EM5 and the Panasonic GH2) and almost the same weight with the kit lens as some 'bridge' compact cameras (ie Canon SX40HS).The LCD screen is is not as bright as some but does the job. It is not movable (like the D5100) which may be a drawback for those who use this camera for video (which I do not). The optical viewfinder provides a clear and good perspective for framing which has a diopler adjustment for eyeglass wearers. The small body manages to find room for all important controls and menus. Ther is no dedicated ISO button but the FN button can be customized (ISO is the default option). There is no bracketing or DOF preview controls.The AutoFocus function on the Nikon D3100, like every other Nikon DSLR I have ever used, is very quick and accurate under all lighting conditions. I do not use "live view" so obviously I can not comment on focusing with the LCD screen.This camera (as does the D3200 & D5100) uses the EN-EL14 battery. Only a battery actually manufactured by Nikon ($40+) and not a generic 3rd party battery will work. Consequently, having a spare battery is a bit of a luxury with this camera.Of course the most important thing is the image quality and that's where the D3100 earns its 5 stars. Photographs are very sharp, highly detailed and richly saturated at all ISO levels through ISO 1600. ISO 3200 is usable but clearly not as good as lower ISO photographs. It would have been helpful if Nikon included more than one ISO stop (presently just ISO 1600) between ISO 800 & 3200 like the D80. The low light/high ISO photographs are really amazing for such an affordable camera. The automatic white balance is excellent in natural lighting but has a yellow bias under incandescent lighting; the 'manual preset' white balance menu option does a much better job under incandescent lighting. Bright, contrasty outdoor shots tend to overexpose (similar to the classic D40); -3 or -7 exposure compensation is an easy fix. Dynamic Range is excellent even with the kit lens (and Active D-Lighting turned on). I have compared several other DSLRs to this camera (even new models like the D3200 and others costing substantially more) and the image quality of this camera even at higher ISO's can not be beat.The kit lens is actually very good optically and very light (the tradeoff of plastic is of course potential durability issues). The Nikon 35mm f1.8 prime lens and/or the Nikon 18-105mm VR lens are inexpensive lens upgrades optically (espcially the prime lens optically while the 18-105mm provides twice as much telephoto zoom versatility than the kit lens) although the 18-105mm is heavier.An external flash with bounce capabilities (ie the Nikon SB-400) greatly enhances exposure and color indoors. A bounce flash is really essential.With the introduction of the D3200, the D3100 is now priced under $500 with a lens. This is a steal especially when compared to the inferior and heavier, more expensive competing cameras (ie the Canon T2I).

I received this camera as a gift over the holidays and really enjoy using it. I am by no means a "professional photographer". I've had many of digital cameras over the past few years and was ready to play with the big boys. That being said, I'll cover the basics in this review.Build Quality-------------------------The build of this camera is what you would expect with an expensive piece of tech. When you hold it in your hands it feels very solid and does not feel like it will break if you put your hand in the wrong place. The lens is easily attached/detached when you follow the directions in the manual. All buttons provide plenty of feedback so you know you have pressed it or changed a setting.GUI-------------------------The screen interface is very user friendly in my opinion. I actually was able to set up the camera and go through all the settings without even opening the manual. Each setting is clearly described on the menu screens so that you know what you are changing. The interface also allows for on-the-fly editing for minor enhancements such as red-eye, color adjustments, and cropping.Picture Quality-------------------------The D3100 takes beautiful pictures - even when using the basic Auto modes. Remove the lens cover, frame picture, adjust focus, and snap photo. The pictures are very nice! My wife uses the auto modes, while I prefer to use the manual settings so that you can control the shutter speed, focus, etc. It's the best of both worlds in my opinion. Plus, the D3100 has "live view" where you can set the LCD to behave just like a basic digital camera where you don't have to hold it up to your eye to frame a photo. This feature is nice for on-the-go shooting.What is Included-------------------------D3100Wall ChargerBatteryShutter cover (when no lens is attached)18mm-55mm vibration reduction [VR] AF-S lens (auto focus motor included in this lens)Lens coverNeck strap2 Ferrite Cores (needed when using 3rd party cables to transfer to computer or to TV)Rubber Eye CoverRubber Eye CapThis does NOT come with a USB cable for transferring to the computer or a A/V or HDMI cable for viewing on a TV. These are additional accessories. You can pick them up from Nikon or use 3rd party cables - just make sure you remember to use the ferrite cores to protect the camera from interference. Some cables will include these in the cable itself while others will not.I'm planning to pick up the following accessories - which I recommend purchasing through Amazon to save money!Additional Battery:Nikon EN-EL14 Rechargeable Li-Ion Battery for Select Nikon DSLR Cameras (Retail Package)Carrying Case:Nikon DSLR Starter Kit with Nikon School Fast, Fun and Easy DVD Set and DSLR Case55mm-200mm lens:Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED IF AF-S DX VR [Vibration Reduction] Nikkor Zoom LensRemote Shutter Control:Nikon 25395 MC-DC2 Remote Release Cord (1 Meter)Thanks for reading. Please mark this review as helpful if you found it helpful!

I honestly bought this because it was on "sale" but I didn't know anything about cameras so I thought this one was okay.It's not. It's not even mentioned in reviews or something. Which leads me to think it's an okay camera but there are small point and shoot digital cameras with better MP than this one. And it's neat that I can manually adjust everything to get the right picture but to me it's kind of hassle since I'm used to point and shoot. It's good professionally starting out but for me I would find any camera besides this one more useful.It has awesome video potential but for some reason it's limit is five minutes no matter what size SD card I put in. Could be to keep it from overheating but it's still annoying when I want to record something.And then the lens itself is small, so definitely don't expect to zoom in, might as well get a telescopic (or whatever it's called) lens. Because why would I want a camera that can only zoom so far? I might as well just get any other normal camera! But of course all those cool lenses cost a ton of money to be just doing for fun.

this is my first dslr camera, and i'm new to photography in general, so this review is geared towards those who are new to photography too and are looking for thier first dslr camera. experienced shooters really wouldn't/shouldn't be looking at this camera as it is limited on advanced/pro features. but for a newbie it's an excellent purchase.this camera is awesome! being a camera, i'll only spend time talking about it's picture taking ability. i've taken video with it, and it works fine. the camera only has a mono mic so sound quality is kinda bad. but if you're looking for video get a dedicated video recorder, you'll be happier.as for pictures, this camera rocks! the d3100 offers a new expeed2 sensor, which is an amazing sensor for an entry level camera. it's low light high ISO performance is excellent, given it's an entry level camera. it will shoot cleanly through ISO 800, and can go as high as ISO 1600 if you run some noise reduction in post production. what does that all mean? ISO is a camera's light sensitivity. the higher the number, the more sensitive the sensor is to light. but when increasing ISO you also increase noise levels in an image. noise is visible small dots on the image, it looks like grain. the ability of a camera to produce relatively noise free images at higher ISO is very important as it will allow you to shoot in lower and lower light conditions without using a flash. so as i've said, noise is very well controlled at ISO 800 and below, and acceptable at ISO 1600, unless you're going to be blowing up and printing large prints.if you can achieve adequate exposure you'll be very pleased with the image quality of the camera. the sensor delivers sharp, high contrast images. the auto focus system is very good, a hand me down from the mid level Nikon D90. in low light, low contrast conditions it can hunt for focus a bit, but that's common to all cameras. the kit lens (18-55mm f/3.5-5.6) is a decent all around starter lens for general photography. it's very capable of producing stunning images. all in all the image quality of this camera is beyond reproach. this new entry level camera is capable of images that older mid level cameras would be proud of (D90 i'm talking about you!).the camera body handles very well. it's a small and lightweight camera, the smallest dslr in Nikon's lineup. all the buttons and controls are clearly labeled, and intuitevely laid out. being an entry level camera it is somewhat lacking on controls. there is only one control wheel, which defaults to shutter speed. you have to hold the aperture button and use the wheel to adjust aperture. there is an FN (programable function button) that can be set to whatever function you'd like. i have ISO set to the FN button so i can change my iso without having to get into the on screen menu. the more expensive mid level and professional camerasa have more wheels and buttons to make on the fly adjustments as quick and easy as possible. but this is an entry level camera, so you shouldn't expect that. as is it's a very easy camera to handle. i dont have any issues with my adjustment settings. i shoot in M mode (manual control), and can easily adjust my ISO, shutter speed, and aperture on the fly with minimal fuss. and as i've gained experience shooting i can quickly and easily go into the on screen menu to adjust the more advanced features before i start my shooting. i suggest just shooting as much as possible to get used to the layout. before you know it you'll be changing settings on the fly like it's 2nd nature. when you do need to get into the onscreen menu you'll find it very intuitively laid out, and very logical to use. my first time using it i found everything i was looking for in menu without fuss. so as long as you're not expecting a professional layout, i think you'll be very happy handling the d3100.this camera does not have an internal auto focus motor, so be aware that you must use only the G series lenses (ex. Nikkor 35mm 1.8G lens). you'll see the "G" series marker after the max aperture on the lens description. G series lenses have an auto focus motor built into the lens itself, which allows it to auto focus on the camera bodies that lack such motor (hello d3100 and others!). you can still mount the D series lenes on the camera, but you'll have to manually focus with those lenses. i thought that was worth pointing out so you dont go buying this camera and a bunch of the D series lenses (which are cheaper). the good thing is in general the G series lenses are newer tech lenses and offer a small performance advantage over the D series (in general terms).so the camera offers great image quality, handles well, seems perfect doesn't it? yeah, but it's not. it's an entry level camera and as such omits some potentially important features. the camera doesnt offer exposure bracketing, which allows you to take a series of photos at incrimentally higher/lower exposures. for me this isn't a big deal at all. i've used a D90 a

The Nikon D3100 is an excellent entry-level DSLR. Could you pay more to get a "better" camera with "more features"? Absolutely. But why? Would you use those features? I looked long and hard at several in my research before buying - the models I considered were the Canon T2i, Canon 60D, the Nikon D90, and of course, the Nikon D3100. In the end, I decided the extra features on those other cameras were features that I likely wouldn't use. I'm interested mainly in taking lots of pictures while traveling -- pictures of clouds, landscapes, maybe some street photography. I wanted a smaller, lighter DSLR with good battery life and great image quality. The D3100 delivers on all accounts.So what do the cameras in the next price-tier have that the D3100 doesn't? A lot of stuff that most people looking in this price range won't be concerned with. Here's a list of the "missing" things and/or "problems" with the D3100 as I found while researching my purchase:1) Most online reviews and forums mention a problem with AutoISO and the built-in flash. When using the built-in flash in full auto, AutoISO jumps straight to the maximum ISO value, which I believe is defaulted to ISO-3200. Nikon says this is intended to get a better exposed background, fine with me. Personally, I think that ISO-3200 images out of this camera are very useable unless you're pixel peeping. If you just want to blow up an indoor portrait to an 8x10 (or even larger, I don't know!), you won't have a problem. Don't worry about it!2) You can frequently hear the lens auto-focusing in your videos. Ok, you got me. If you're in a silent environment, yes, you will hear the autofocus motor, but if you're recording kids laughing and having a good time at the local indoor waterpark or at a parade or something, it's not loud enough where it would be a bother. If it is an annoyance, you can still shoot video with manual focus.3) No external mic input. The D3100 is sufficient for getting a clip when you want it, you're not going to have movie quality sound. Who carries an external mic with them on vacation? If you're buying a DSLR specifically for video capabilities, you probably should be considering a dedicated camcorder anyway. For my purposes, there's nothing wrong with mono sound.4) Lack of bracketing -- too much to explain in a review. Google it and see if you would ever use it. I can see why it would be useful, but I doubt it'd be useful for on-the-go photography.5) Manual settings buried in menus instead of having dedicated buttons -- Most people at the entry-level probably aren't shooting full manual. The D3100 features several "scene" modes that you can use, otherwise there's always aperture or shutter priority, or even full auto. Depending on which priority you're in, the scroll wheel on the back will adjust the aperture or shutter speed. If you shoot full manual all the time, you may want dedicated buttons, meaning you should look elsewhere. If you're not in full manual, I can't see this being a problem.6) Lack of built-in flash commander mode -- you can't trigger an off camera flash using your built-in flash. Some DSLR's have built-in flashes with this capability, the D3100 does not. For travel photography, this isn't an issue. For most at-home photography, this isn't an issue. It could be for macro photography depending how close to your subject you are, or if you have a full studio with multiple flashes setup in your basement. If you decide at a later point you want this capability, some external flashes such as the Nikon SB-700 can function as a commander. Otherwise, you can use whatever external flash you wish in conjunction with the SC-28 or SC-29 cord inthe D3100's hotshoe.7) Perhaps the biggest potential problem with the D3100 is the lack of a built in focusing motor. This means the D3100 will not autofocus with plain AF lenses (manual still works though). Any lenses with the AF-S designation will auto-focus just fine. This can be costly though - on some of the higher-end lenses, the difference can be $600 or more between the AF and AF-S version of the same lens. Again, this comes down to "what will you use it for?" For this, I go back here: If this is a problem, you shouldn't be looking at an entry level DSLR anyway.Nikon ships the D3100 with the 18-55mm AF-S VR lens, offers a very affordable 55-200mm AF-S VR telephoto, and my personal favorite, the 35mm f/1.8 AF-S lens. The 55-200 can be had for under $100 if you catch a sale or rebate, and the 35mm can be had for under $200. These three lenses will cover most of the needs for entry-level photographers, and all three of them auto-focus on the D3100. By the time we as amateur photographers outgrow this setup, we will know specifically what focal lengths we primarily use in order to make a more educated purchase for the expensive lenses later on. And I'm convinced, when that time comes, you'll have your eye on the latest and greatest prosumer DSLR to go with your

Before people start freaking out I am not comparing this to a Canon 1DX when I mention "PRO" in the review title, rather, that I use this consumer targeted camera for a very specific professional task. I own 4 of these "kits", basically the D3100 and the 18-55 lens. My company does high volume photography, mostly sports, schools and events (we will photograph over 90,000 kids this year) and I thought I would give these a shot to see how they would hold up for some of my basic sports portraits shoots and I am pleasantly surprised. Make note of the word PORTRAITS after sports, we do not use these for action.I actually compared this, side by side, shot by shot with the Canon T2i when deciding which way to go since I was going to be purchasing so many of them. It was actually a pretty big decision since I was deciding on a Nikon camera when my personal camera is a Canon 7D. When comparing the 2 cameras I literally set them up on tripods right next to each other, took shots in the exact same settings, conditions, etc. First, I compared everything in Manual mode, then I let the camera do the work in Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority and full Program Mode. Without running through every single shot I can simply say the Nikon D3100 beat the Canon t2i, much to my surprise. This was a VERY close comparison and, in the end, the price of the Nikon helped tip the scale in that direction.Image QualityThe D3100 wins here. How, you say, is that possible? The Canon is 18 megapixel and the Nikon is only 14.2...true, but Nikon has a secret weapon, the 18-55 lens! Believe it or not, the 18-55 Nikon lens, the KIT lens that comes on this camera and many others, is actually one of the sharpest images Nikon makes. I wouldn't believe it if I hadn't taken hundreds of shots, blown them up to 100% and compared them side by side. Now, if you are looking for something where you plan to change lenses from time to time, then the Canon is the better choice. However, in the case of my very specific needs, where I will never need to change out the lens on this camera because it is for sports portrait shoots only, you cannot beat the D3100. I actually chose the Canon for another area of my business out of state where I needed more durability and flexibility...more on that in another review.As with any product, it will ultimately boil down to how you plan to use it. If you are a consumer who is just getting into Digital SLR cameras, this is a great way to start. It is cheap and it takes great images. It has video, which is nice, although I do not use it so I can't give an in depth review of that functionality. Make sure that you get the kit with the 18-55 lens though, that makes a big difference in image quality.It also has a great little feature that would be really helpful to beginners trying to understand how Aperture works. It has a little animation on the LCD screen that shows an actual camera iris opening or closing as you adjust the aperture, which is helpful for beginners trying to understand the lower number being a bigger aperture concept.So, to sum it up:PROS:Price: You can't beat it, if you watch Amazon closely you will be able to catch it in the $500 range or maybe a bit less if you are luckyImage Quality: Really amazing image quality WITH the 18-55 lens especially.Good for Beginners: Has some really good tutorials to help beginners understand the basics of DSLR.Great "Auto" settings: Produces really nice images on many of the standard settings for Shutter and Aperture Priority and full Program. (although I recommend to beginners to try to learn how to shoot in Manual mode at least to understand how it works and NEVER use any of the silly settings like "Sports" or the other ones.)CONS:Not very tough: It feels a lot cheaper than the CanonReally small: It looks ridiculous with an SB900 flash on it! (This is a con for me but might be a pro for others)Overall, I definitely recommend it for a beginner or someone with a very specific professional need like I have. It earns 5 stars for how I use it.

I did quite a bit of research before buying this camera, and unfortunately didn't find many reviews that were geared more toward what I wanted it for, so for anyone else out there in my situation, this is for you. I am a Jewelry maker and seller on Etsy and have been searching high and low for the perfect camera to take clear, crisp, well-lit photos. Because in an online business, photo presentation can basically make or break your shop. It is especially difficult when finding a camera for jewelry photos, because the subject is so small the camera MUST have excellent zoom and focus. Thankfully, I was absolutely stunned with this product. It has everything I could have asked for and more!Zoom-excellentFocus settings- perfectLow light performance- holy macaroni, it is perfect for my tiny light box even with almost no lighting.So in all, to all of you Etsy sellers looking for a great camera at a good price, look no further, this is the one you want. It has performed well above my expectations and you won't regret it. I even took it on a beach trip with me to test out its shutter speed and clarity and it was just amazing. I got some stunning photos of dogs bounding through waves, gulls in mid-flight, etc.

This camera even makes ME gorgeous!I had an OKCupid and a Match.com account for three years and only received one note- that was quickly followed by an apology for sending it to the wrong person. I took a picture of myself with this camera and uploaded it to the two sites. I clicked on "SAVE" and then went to bed. I woke up 20 minutes later to the sound of my computer vibrating from the flood of responses I received! I had women from all over the world fawning over me and my picture. On a lark, I replaced my new picture with one taken on a different camera and the sucking sound of the responses being deleted by the senders was deafening. I replaced the picture and am now using data mining technology to find my next date. (Małgorzata in Poland- you're up next after Sofia in Chile!)

I purchased a D3000 a couple months ago and, even though it is a fine camera, I was simply not impressed with it. I mean, it is capable of taking some mind-blowing pictures when in the right conditions but I was really disappointed with how poor it was in low light situations.So I went out and bought a D3100 this weekend (still have to sell my D3000) and literally from the very first image I noticed that the image quality was much more crisp even at a high ISO. My D3000 could handle up to ISO 800 but after that you really began to see a whole lot of noise. The D3100 image quality is clean up to 1600, shows little noise at 3200 and is still usable at even 6400!! Now I don't have a problem when shooting in lower light areas and I love it. For me, the ISO performance alone in this camera was worth the money and trouble I've had to go through to switch to this model... I can now say that I LOVE my D3100! :)The live view is actually a nice and handy feature to have if only for framing shoots in awkward positions. I switched from a point and shoot (even then I preferred using the electronic viewfinder) so I was used to live view when I got my D3000. Of course, the viewfinder is how you want to take all your pics but it is still very nice to have live view for framing shots while my camera is on a tripod or propped on a table. I just frame my shot in live view and then switch back to the viewfinder and take snap it. Also, I at first thought it was dumb of Nikon to remove the grid lines in the viewfinder (which aren't in thirds anyways, which is stupid) but I found that they actually function better in the live view anyways. So if you are shooting landscape pics and have your camera on a tripod; pop to live view, frame your shot with the grid lines then switch back to the viewfinder to snap it.I think the video blows and I'm glad this is not why I bought this camera. I didn't know why so many people were complaining about the focusing noise during recording until I heard it... it's atrociously loud! I can actually see myself using manual focus because the auto is just too loud. I was also not blown away with the video quality and the file sizes are too huge for me to warrant filling up my memory card with video clips. Also, when I go to load the clips on my computer, the files seem like they are almost corrupted. Once they are on my computer I can't delete or move them and when I try my computer just crashes. It's really strange and maybe it's just my computers problem but all this means that I won't be using the video feature a lot because it's just not that great. However, this doesn't effect my rating for this camera because.... ITS A CAMERA!!!... It is NOT meant to take good video. Video is just a nice feature but I don't even find it that useful on this camera. Don't judge a DSLR on the video... judge it on the PICTURE QUALITY!!The camera feel is a little nicer then the D3000 and a lot nicer then the D5000, which felt a little too bulky for me. It is a very nice, ergonomic feel to it and, for me, that's important because I travel a lot and I want my camera to be lightweight and comfortable to hold and shoot with.At first, I thought it sucked that they got rid of the wireless remote but by getting rid of this feature, Nikon has actually given you more creative control over your camera. Let me explain... if you have ever experimented with long exposure photography, you will know that you can produce some pretty mind-blowing pictures by shooting in low light situations with exposures rangeing from 30minutes to 5 hours. Now, to do this you need to use a remote and set your camera to BULB MODE. The D3000 (with the wireless remote) would only let you take a maximum exposure of 30 minutes and I always thought it was because the wireless remote times out to save battery life. With the D3100 remote, you have no limit to how long your exposures can be!!! This means you actually have complete control over your camera in long exposure photography and, to me, this is a HUGE BONUS. Sure the wireless remote is nicer for snapping photos... but you still have a 10-second delay and now you have no limit to how long your exposures can be! So, for me, this is another reason why I like my D3100 over the D3000... a wireless remote is nice but if it limits what I can do creatively then I'd rather have a cord based remote.I think the Guide Mode was a neat feature... until I used it for about five minutes. It really isn't that helpful for someone who isn't a complete noob to photography. I wish they could have added some more tips for the more advanced photographer because after using for a short time, I had really gotten all the help info I will ever need from it and now it's just a waste of dial space. I get that Nikon is trying to gear their camera more towards the novice but I just think they got pretty lazy with the guide mode and could have added a lot more to it to really make it a ground breaking

A little background about me: I have owned this camera for 2 months. I have owned a Samsung point-and-shoot for three years and have taken thousands of photos with it, and for the past few months I had been using only the limited manual mode on my camera, and wishing for a camera whose settings I could tweak more. That's when I started drooling over DSLRs.After months of reading about photography, I finally bought myself this camera. It was the best option for the price and for my experience level. It was easily one of the best purchases I have ever made. I bought a kit that also came with a 55-200mm 4-5.6 lens, a case, a tripod, an SD card, and some extra goodies.First, it takes amazing pictures.- It performs far better in low light than any point-and-shoot. With the right tools, it's usable right up to ISO 1600. Compared to my old point-and-shoot, this is a huge bonus.- It's an SLR, so you can take those pictures with shallow depth of field (blurry background).- Its pictures are sharp, clear, and beautiful. The high MP count makes details pop and cropping easy.- It's incredibly easy to use - Nikon has an amazingly well thought out body design, and within weeks I felt more at home with this camera than my old one.Second, I have to agree with the reviews that say the following.- The Live View mode is a gimmick. Don't use it if you can help it. It's clunky and slow and drains your battery. Only use it if you absolutely cannot hold the viewfinder up to your eye.- Video is high quality, but requires a lot of skilled technique to use properly - continuous autofocus does not work that well.Finally, some advice that relates to the purchase of the camera.- The lenses that associate with this camera are the kit zooms - the 18-55mm and the 55-200mm. These are good lenses, but the maximum apertures (3.5 and 4) do leave a lot to be desired in many situations. Within a few days of using the camera, I knew that a better lens would have made all the difference. SO - if you have the money, don't use the kit zooms. Sell them and buy lenses with larger maximum apertures. I don't personally own one of these, but I know from experience that taking pictures would be a lot easier with them.That's all I have to say about the camera. If you are a first time DSLR user, you can't go wrong with this camera. It fulfills all your expectations, and more. If you care at all for your photography and are considering buying an SLR, do it. You will not regret it.Some notes about techniques.- The GUIDE mode is supposed to ease transition, but I spent a long time reading about the technical aspects of photography - I rarely use anything but full Manual (M) Mode. On occasion, I'll use Program (P) if I don't have time to quickly change the aperture, ISO, and shutter speed - and of course I'll set it to Auto when placing my camera in the hands of someone who doesn't know how to change the settings - but otherwise, any of the multiple settings on the dial go quite unused. The reason being is that the light meter often over or underexposes depending on your metering mode, and unless you set an exposure bias, you sometimes won't get the picture you want.- That means, if you know how the technical aspect of photography works, use Manual Mode. Jump right in and allow yourself to match the full flexibility of the camera. If you are still learning, by all means use the many modes Nikon offers to facilitate learning - but don't forget, Manual offers the ultimate in control. You get exactly what you want.- USE RAW. I used JPEG for all the first few hundred pictures I took, and they're great. But when I switched to RAW, my jaw LITERALLY (yes, I really DO mean literally) DROPPED when I saw what I could do with RAW files. You have just as much control with your pictures as you do in Manual mode. You can make your pictures look EXACTLY how you want them to look, and more. Caveats: This requires some familiarity with image editing terms, and a program like Photoshop or Lightroom or Aperture (Mac), and there's a bit of a learning curve, and the files are really big (buy an external hard drive just for photos), but the payoffs are FAR greater. With RAW, photography just opens up from pictures to art.Summary:- Amazing pictures - beautiful in all ways- Low light performance is excellent- Easy to use, but also very flexible- Video and Live View are gimmicks or specialty tools- Included lens(es) is(are) fantastic, but better lenses will blow you away- Learn technical aspects, then use MANUAL mode- Use RAW once you feel comfortable

This Nikon D3100 is a phenomenal deal for non professionals, the rest of us people that want to take family and travel shots. I've owned DSLRs since 2004, starting with a Nikon D70 and then moving to D40, D200 and Canon Digital Rebel XSi 12.2 MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens (Black) and Canon EOS 40D 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only). Those are all excellent cameras, but this Nikon D3100 is better than all of those in one crucial area, the area that matters: it takes excellent pictures without having to fiddle with the settings between shots. Yes, the other cameras are better in other respects: They have more buttons to change settings without delving into menus, they are bigger (is that a plus?), heavier (another plus?), and have better specs (1/500 flash sync speed for D70 and D40), but in the end I would have to fiddle with the settings to get the best results: change the white balance, fiddle with the ISO (my Canons would default to ISO 400 for flash shots, why? Who knows. That meant disabling auto ISO and choosing ISO settings manually), the exposure (+0.7 indoor, 0 outdoor), and so on. D200 was noisy at higher ISO, D70's pictures tended to be cool (i.e. not warm), 40D had cool custom buttons (C1, C2, C3, very cool), but I found its ergonomics worse than XSi or any Nikon; why place the on/off switch at the bottom of the body? Who knows. Fortunately, new Canons have fixed this).This D3100 also makes the D3000 and D5000 obsolete. The D3000 is slow and noisy at high ISO. The D5000 only shoots 720p (not 1080p), no autofocus in movie mode, less resolution. Old technology.What sets the D3100 apart from all the other cameras above is this: set the camera in P (program) mode, auto white balance, -0.3 exposure compensation, slow flash sync mode (for people shots), auto distortion correction on (great!), auto chromatic aberrations correction on (great!), and you are set; now you can concentrate on the only aspect of photography that matters: composition, i.e. framing your shot in the best possible way. There must be a photography mantra that says, "thou shalt buy the D3100, and the D3100 will set you free." Now this is if you shot jpeg. If you shoot raw, you can then use a program like DXO, Aperture 3, or Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3 to further play with the pictures. My workflow with the XSi was to shoot raw, then use DXO to batch process all the pics according to two settings: people (low contrast, no saturation added) and landscape (contrast, saturation, etc.). DXO would then batch-remove lens distortion, chromatic aberrations, vignetting, apply custom curves, change white balance when necessary, and apply its (almost magical) auto lighting settings to make the shots pop. For now DXO does not have a custom module for the D3100 (still too new of a camera), so I'm shooting jpeg for now. Once DXO adds the module for the D3100, I'll takes shots in both raw and jpeg fine and compare the jpegs straight out of the camera with the raw images processed with DXO. I'm curious to see the comparison.This is great, not only for you, but also for your non-photographer spouse; my XSi took phenomenal shots, but I had to know how to set it. Can you imagine me going to my non-photographer wife and say, "okay, when you take indoor shots of our kids, set the camera on A mode (Canons expose for ambient light in A mode and adjust flash for fill, that's great), +0.7 exposure compensation, ISO 400 or 800, white balance on cloudy, and shoot." My wife was lost at "okay." Sure the custom modes on the 40D would have helped, but the 40D is old technology; can it take 1080p video? I didn't think so. Plus, what lens are you going to use with the 40D? The 17-55 IS? Great lens, but who wants to spend $1,000 for a non-weather sealed 17-55 dust collector (google Canon 17-55 and dust)? Will 17-55 be enough for your telephoto shots? Your kids' baseball games? Didn't think so. What about the Canon 18-200? Sub-par quality, noisy, overpriced.Back to the D3100. Auto white balance (the second most important thing after composition) works great, even indoor (no cloudy setting necessary), the only changes are extreme situations (outdoor shade, or indoor fluorescent or tungsten lights at night, but that is true with every camera. Why that is is beyond me; can't they make smarter cameras that account for these situations as well?); movie mode is excellent; yes, the mic is mono, but that's okay for family use (and that's why you buy this camera; if you are pro, you landed on the wrong page); if you really want to push it, you can use this camera for video, your iphone/ipod touch for audio with an app like FourTrack, and then sync video and audio in post with the excellent Singular Software Dual Eyes program. Your choice. Matter is: DSLR video can look awesome if used the right way, but keep in mind its limitations: jerky camera horizontal panning will give you the infamous jello effect (courtesy of the CMOS sensor), so pan slow

Hurray! The long wait is over! Nikon had us wait for such a long time for its newer models (D3100 and D7000) and it was just when we started thinking if Nikon will ever have an answer, anytime soon, to Canon's T2i, 7D and 60D) they released these two wonderful cameras - D3100 and D7000. Let's focus on D3100, shall we?So I finally had a chance to get hold of this D-SLR at Best Buy today. I am not a pro by any means but I have used many different D-SLRs including Canon (40D, T2i, XSi) and Nikon (D90, D5000). When I picked-up the camera for the first time, my initial reaction was, "whoa - this is so small and light weight"! It wasn't that I wasn't aware of the specs - I knew them beforehand but I was still blown away by how small and light it felt when I held it in my hands. Then, I thought, the grip would not be very comfortable but I was wrong as holding and operating the camera is just fine - thanks to Nikon's well-thought-out design and grip. For the size and feel, it's very similar to D3000 but has more goodies from the higher versions. So from an initial wow factor, I quickly moved on to focusing on features and capabilities.I have just started using this camera so more update will follow but in the meantime my initial assessment of this camera is - I am impressed! It is one heck of a camera which can certainly compete against the best in its class (Canon T1i, T2i, Nikon D5000). Check out detailed reviews at dpreview (.com) and cameralabs (.com) - they should be added soon if not already there.I love this camera because it:+ has enough mega pixels for my needs (14.2).+ captures crystal clear images (thanks to EXPEED2 processor & the CMOS sensor, the sensor is slightly smaller than the one used in D7000).+ offers 1080p (HD) recording, AF subject tracking is awesome (10 min max is fine with me; it records outstanding videos even in low light and to me that's big).+ offers ISO from 100-3200 (D90 starts at 200), it can go higher but I really don't think why I would need anything above that.+ is small & light weight yet has good grip, easy to carry around in hands or neck.+ supports SDXC cards on top of SD and SDHC - now that's nice.+ (25-Sep-2010): has buttons that are well organized especially the video recording mode with a lever so you cannot mistakenly activate recording. That video recording lever once unlocked, gets locked in 30 seconds if you do not record and the countdown begins as soon as you unlock the lever. Also you can record video while you're in any dial (imaging) mode (Auto, P, A, S, M, and so on) where as in Canon T2i, etc. you have to move the camera dial to movie mode. So this is a great convenience - you can jump between taking pictures and recording videos with a simple unlocking of the lever. Additionally, you can be in a preferred dial (imaging) mode (Auto, P, A, S, M, and so on) and change the release mode to Single, Continuous, Self-timer or Quiet mode (this is located right underneath the main dial) - another great convenient feature.+ (04-Oct-2010): In-body photo and movie retouch menu. This is great as we don't need any special software to apply certain touches. I love it.Could have been even better if:- it had the bracketing option (not too much to expect at this price point level but oh well I don't use that much but for some people this could be a big plus).- grid lines were available (I miss them in both in live view and in the view finder).- Active D Lighting was not limited to just ON or OFF (either you have it or not at all, instead of low, medium, high, etc.). Don't get me wrong the ON just worked fine (better than Canon T2i) but I can't compare with all other modes.Recommendations (optional accessories):* In my personal order of importance - your preference may differ. *1. Nikon UC-E4 USB Cable - not included. (~$6)2. UV filter - a must for protecting your lens against accidental damage. (~10$)3. Carrying case is a must to protect your investment. There are many cases to choose from and it's up to you to decide but I suggest getting something like Lowepro SlingShot 102 AW (all weather proof carrying case) so if it rains, you can pull out the weather guard and cover it up. ($90)4. Additional rechargeable Lithium Ion EN-EL14 battery so you never run out the juice when you're traveling and do not want to miss capturing a moment for good. (~$35)5. SB-600 Speedlight. Those who have used speed lights would know what difference it can make to an image with adjustments you can make to light for an image. (~$225)6. 18-55 VR lens has its limitations so if you have extra $$$s, buy body only (if that even is an option) and get yourself a 18-105 VR lens. But at that point, you may want to consider D90 which still is a good camera and offers many more controls. (~$325 to $350)Overall:I give this camera 5 Stars because it takes excellent pictures in almost all conditions (bright or low-light) and that is exactly what I wanted this camera to do for me. Period.I must commend Nikon f

This was the first camera I ever bought and I am very happy that I did. I was wondering of it would be worth $500 just to take shots of family, friends, etc. I also know nothing about photography terms like aperture, etc. I got the camera with both lenses, read up a little on the Dummies book and things are great. I love the quality of photos, the way it can take multiple shots quickly and like using the software on my iMac. I am very glad I got this and recommend it highly for a casual shooter like myself. I look forward to learning more about its capabilities and continuing to have fun with it.

I got this as my first "high-end" camera, for $699 back in 2011. It's been great, although i didn't use it to the potential I first imagined (beautifully fog-lit landscapes, macro curiosities, wildlife, etc.) Really, it's been used to document our family's 8 grandchildren, none of whom are mine. Also some wonderful outside shots and event pictures.It's not always as sharply focused as I want it to be - particularly when using it at work for some fine-detailed product photos. Then again I'm still not expert at the settings.

Written from the perspective of someone who has taken photos all her life with small, cheap cameras:This was a scary investment for me, at first. I had recently used a Nikon D3000, and I liked the quality of the images it snapped. Once I decided to make the purchase, I was unable to find D3000, so I stepped up to the D3100. I purchased some additional lenses, and the entire investment was about $1000.00I was willing and ready to purchase the D5100, but upon comparison, found that the resolution in the D3100 was admirable, and perhaps better, than that of the other model. I have been extremely happy with the pictures I have taken so far, with only two complaints about the camera in general.First, the shutter is noisy. Someone had told me that before I purchased the camera, and at the time I had though, "how noisy can a camera be?" But now, after having shot thousands of pictures for school events and family functions with this camera, I concur. Sometimes, settings are quiet, and the photographer seeks not to disturb an audience. However, with this camera, there is no "sneaking up" to surprise a subject. Every photo you snap will be announced by a loud snap and clickclickclick.Finally, my larger complaint - one fact that I wish I had known before I purchased the camera - is that there is quite a delay when photographing in low light. That several second delay may mean the difference between a great shot and a grand blur of an image. I photograph my toddler grandchildren frequently - many low-light attempted shots of their high-energy antics has resulted in really bad pictures. Granted, a flash would correct the problem, but sometimes the light of a flash kills the artistic aspect of a photo.There are some great features which offset my two complaints. Primarily, the automatic settings of this camera will make any newbee photographer more self-confident. Another "plus" is that this camera has an automatic lense-cleaning feature -- the lense shimmies at a high-frequency rate to loosen dust. It's pretty cool, especially considering I often forget to check the lense for dust. Finally, there are cross-hairs in the view-finder which allow one to point the camera and know exactly how the subject will appear in the image. I understand that not all cameras have this ability.Would I purchase this camera again? Absolutely. However, now that I am aware of the low light shutter issue, I intend to trade up and purchase a Nikon with better low light ability. But for someone who has never owned a DSLR camera, this is a great first camera!

I recently purchased the D3100 and have taken some shots in a variety of conditions. I have not yet had the opportunity to dive into the full feature set. Initial impressions:Pros: Very nice image quality (my primary concern), easy to use, includes reasonable editing software.Cons: Nikon is bit stingy when packing the box (no USB cable, no memory card at all); no exposure bracketing feature.So far, I have been very pleased with the images coming from the D3100. The colors are true and vibrant. It handles light and shadow well. The captured detail is impressive. I haven't "pushed" this camera yet with higher ISO shots or other more demanding techniques / settings however, I suspect that many of this camera's users, if not most, will not have the need or desire to wander too far away from the "Auto" setting, which does a very capable job in variety of conditions. The flash works well with the camera and there is a minimum of the "over exposed" or "glare" look that is commonly seen in family flash photography.This camera at its most basic level is dead simple to use: point and shoot. The camera may look intimidating to those who haven't previously used a full featured film camera or a DSLR but, pick it up, set it to "Auto", snap a few frames and you'll both feel much more comfortable with it and intrigued to learn more about its other capabilities. This camera is targeted for the entry DSLR market and anyone moving up from a compact point-and-shoot camera will immediately recognize the difference in image quality.The Nikon software was also easy to use and can really bring out the impact in your shots. The software installed without problem on my mac. Through the software, I was able to pull additional depth and detail from the initial captured image (I used RAW format for capturing). I did use the default JPEG as well and I doubt that many family photographers will have any complaint with those images. Again, the various sliders and options in the software can seem daunting at first, but you will be rewarded by playing around with settings (you won't ruin anything). As mentioned previously, through the software, I was able to take some images that would have been OK and make them compelling. I am not saying that they will be hanging in a gallery soon, just that they are far more visually interesting than they were and with a minimal amount of effort. The images included people, nature, indoors and out.I am not completely sold on the auto focusing, especially when the subject is in motion. I haven't used it enough in these circumstances to fairly comment, just something that has initially popped up as an item to explore further. For the record, the images in question seemed sharp though not quite what I had anticipated. It is too early to hang AF from my uses, though.I have not used (and have no immediate intention of using) the video feature. I have a video camera that shoots video well. Personally, I'd rather have additional still features (auto bracketing) than video. I understand that there may be a desire to pack everything within one device from a marketing perspective. However, I am of the mind that a device ought to focus on its primary mission and forgo additive items that it does less well.I have no understanding of why Nikon would not include a USB cable to connect the camera to your computer. Fortunately, the cable is not proprietary and I was able to reuse an existing cable from another camera. How exactly does Nikon propose that you transfer your images from the camera to your machine for use with the included Nikon software? That just doesn't make sense when the cable that I reused came included with a camera that cost $400 less than the D3100.Overall, I am very happy with the image quality (which makes the omission of bracketing even more noticeable), the ease of use, and the included software. I would have liked a starter memory card in the box and am really surprised that it did not include a USB cable. The price for value relationship needs some improvement, though the product itself is solid. This would be a good way to get into the DSLR segment for those moving up from compact point and shoot.

OMG, the best. Words can not express this item. It is the best. I love love love this camera. I am still learning how to use it but it is wonderful. Thanks. You can not go wrong with this Nikon D3100.

It works wonderfully, and takes beautiful pictures. When I was looking at the images on the camera's screen, I wasn't very impressed - but once they were on my computer I could see how great they really were!

I love my camera! Not problems at all with this refurbished camera. Cannot even tell at all that it's used! Perfection. The camera came packaged in its original box with all the pieces and booklets and CDs.

This camera was purchased as a gift to an associate in our company. Deliver was on time and the kit was as advertised. Our associate was well pleased with the gift.

I'm a begginner whith a machine of this type and I find that is a very good itemLet me reccomend to buy the boock of Jeff Revell " Nikon D3100 from Snapshots t great shots", is a good complement to the user's mannual provided whith teh camera

My daughter has a great eye for taking amazing photographs. After using her Kodak easy share for a few years, we decided it was time to upgrade to a better camera to help with her nature photography. This is a great beginner camera, easy to use out of the box and still surprising her with all the features.

Excellent camera for an enthusiast who is ready to go to the next level. The quality of this camera and the pictures it takes is magnificent. I thoroughly recommend this to anyone who is looking for a great DSLR at a very good price. The really nice thing is that there are 2 really good lenses included - everything you need to get started.

It didn't come with the instruction manual or the neck strap. Not sure if seller stated that, but I could sure use the manual!

So I just noticed that these are the same comments on t3i page? Even has the same Amt 819 . That's weird!

For people looking for new DSLR camera, stop, this is it. It has none of the D3000 drawbacks: Fast buffer, never overloaded. When intentionally overloaded by myself on continous shots, it will clear the buffer very fast(ADL on if you're wondering). Image sensitivity at high ISO is great acording to random reviwes, but I'm still waiting a prof test. But think about it, on Auto ISO the range goes to 3200 - WOW, and I can't see any noise. You can shoot everything with it, but you need a flash - SB 400 will do.Cool stuf:You can take photos from the liveview LCD screen. I shot a few movies and seem great, in focus most of the time. I don't care much about video, I have a video camera HD.You can still set AUTO ISO from the menu and set minimum shutter speed. Downside is you cannot override the AUTO ISO in any mode including Manual. You have to change it back to off from menu and than loose time figuring out which is the best ISO/aperture/shutter speed.For shortcomings, I have to look hard but here they are:(BTW I've been using it daily for 1 week)1. LCD sceen has a lower resolution and one cannot see if the foto taken is slightly out of focus - bummer, but they have to save some features for the D5100.2. No bracketing - who brackets anymore? 3 pics of each just to be 100% sure seems a waste of memory card and time (deleting the other2. We are talking about exposure bracketing, not focus bracketing BTW.)3. ADL only on or off - lol, if you really are worried about small shadows and highlits you can always add more ADL from the retouch menu in the camera, after you take the photo. Or on photoshop or iPhoto etc. On is plenty for the prosumer ;)4. Easy to get image out of focus: one can change the focus point from the screen by pressing the arrows from the OK ring. You use the OK ring a lot and if the LCD screen has returned to ready to shoot position and you press the ring one more time(goof) the image now focuses to the right/left/up/down depending on what you pressed. Combined with a low resolution LCD in the hands of a beginer = out of focus images. Just pay attention.I'm still waiting for standard high ISO tests to confirm my love for this camera. Best camera for travelers, no questions. If you want more get ready to bend your neck hauling close to 2 lbs of gear. Not me. BTW buy the 35mm 1.8 lens for low light/no flash IT BLOWS YOUR MIND.*Update 1 year later:I downgraded the rating from 5 to 3 stars. I have beed using my camera for one year now and I wanted to sell it.1. Unknown to us initially there is an problem with the sensor's software: it overexposes the pictures frecvently on auto ISO, especially in difficult light situations with high contrast. Nikon's response was that it is not an error but rather they changed the algorithm which calculates exposure on purpose. They wanted a good camera for low light. What happens in practice is that on Auto ISO (which most people use) the camera will push the ISO very high even in bright sun (will do 400-1600 ISO !!). Huge issue - burnt highlights - no way to recover it (maybe bracketing is missed after all: Worse off, the problem is the same with the D7100 and to a lesser degree D5100 (acording to reviews). NIKON, NIKON...Why did you change the algorithm????????? Updates to original camera software do not fix the problem - it is not considered a problem by Nikon. My next camera will be a Cannon T2i or whatever will be available from that series. It is more expensive but now it's worth it given this exposure issue. The only solution I found,a compromise, is to limit the range of auto ISO from 100 to say 200 or 400. This pretty much makes high ISOs useless and guess what ISOs your photo's will have? The max ISO you set.2. The LCD is moderately scratched and blurry from whear which adding to the low resolution - yep, hard to see if picture is in focus. I did not overuse the camera or abuse it. I am an amateur photographer and I wear it on my side (over shouder) or across - so there is allways rubbing with the clothes. And I'm not using the standard Nikon strap (which is too short for comfort and slides off your shouder) rather the smaller UP strap (which is great).I didn't want to write the upadate initailly but I felt it is my responsability not to mislead but inform everyone about what I know (which is not much). Take care.

I have purchased unfortunately to many cameras!! This is my last one easy use for a beginner and I am very excited about 3 pictures per second for my kids sporting events crystal clear!!

For many years, I used a Nikon FG, which was a mid-level camera. Took great pictures if you knew what you were doing, but of course it was a film camera. Then came digital cameras. For the last 10 years, I was basically using point and shoot cameras, which were great for general landscapes. No longer being interested in standing in darkrooms inhaling photo processing chemicals, I opted for a digital SLR where I could do any further processing on the computer. As a birthday gift to myself, I got the Nikon D3100. Took it out the first few days and achieved less than thrilling results; my point & shoots gave me better pictures. So I took a look at the manual which helped only marginally. I don't think it was orginally written in English and may have lost some in the translation.Common sense told me that Nikon couldn't have put out a $500+ camera that only takes so-so pictures. I looked on Amazon and found 3 books written especially for this camera, and I bought one. Nikon D3100 Digital Field Guide. Going over just the first few chapters of this book made a huge difference. I'm now getting incredible images. My problem was that photography had progressed immensely while I was playing around with the point & shoots. This camera takes advantage of these new advances, plus it sounds like it's made a few advances of its own. It's a very sophisticated camera, but it's also initially complicated, and there is a learning curve. The book explains the camera in detail using plain English, and as a result I'm learning a lot about the camera and about digital photography in general, even though I thought I knew a lot.I am only now beginning to appreciate this camera. It provides you with an incredible amount of control, from very subtle to blatantly obvious. The display on the back of the camera provides technical information, easy to use menus, and allows you to zoom in on the images to make sure they are in focus and to check on exposure of details or shadows. The 18-55mm lens included in the kit is great except that the maximum aperature opening is 3.5 (I was used to 1.8 on my old Nikon). The auto focusing gives you many options, and when used correctly, the focusing is perfect and sharp. As with all autofocus lenses, the manual focusing is touchy and not at all like the old manual lenses, however, I've really not had much need to focus manually, so it's not much of an issue.Although it can be used as such, it's not a point & shoot camera, and therefore it is somewhat bulky. And unlike my old FG, it's mostly plastic. I think that's life nowdays; plastic is king. The neckstrap is kind of cheesy. The camera kit comes with a battery (I might get a second in case, but I'm surprised at how long it does last), and a plug-in charger. Included in the box is software for manipulating your pictures on the computer. I haven't installed this yet because I use Adobe Photoshop Elements 9 (Win/Mac), although at some point I may try it just for fun. There is also another disk which is an extended version of the printed manual; basically it suffers from the same problem as the printed one. What doesn't come with the camera is the USB cable, which I think stinks. Fortunately I had one from an old Palm Pilot that worked. The camera, by the way, does include 2 ferrite cores. I had to research what those were; they wrap around near one end of the USB cable to prevent interference when uploading your pictures. Considering using it because without it I kept getting uploading errors.I didn't plan on writing this much, but really there is much to say about this camera. Bottom line is that I really like it.

This item has been on the market for a while and is still going strong. That alone should tell you something if you're considering buying one. I bought this for my wife on her birthday (2 birthday's ago actually). She loves it, it takes great photos and still operates like brand new. If you need a more extensive review, there are plenty of them out there. Great SLR product, great SLR price.

It's awesome!!! I don't think I'd pay for a better camera than this, as a college student, this is what I want. It's my first SLR camera and I love it, it's worth what I paid for it. I've had it for 3 weeks already and I'm enjoying it...

For the average consumer this camera is flawed by design. While I love many things about this camera, the overall number mistakes Nikon has made with this model has caused me to want to switch to Canon. My first review was scathing but I took it down. After some more experience with the camera I am back with yet another fairly scathing review. If you are an aspiring beginner taking classes this might be a great choice. The price is amazing, and once you learn the finer points of photography this camera can be used to take some amazing pictures.The primary problem with this camera is its Auto ISO sensitivity setting. Unless you turn this off two bad things happen. First your manual ISO settings are completely ignored. Second, the camera resorts to very high ISO settings when it should not. This means if you are a casual photographer who likes to use automatic or semi-automatic modes you might be unhappy with the results. I have been in several situations where ISO 100 or 200 would have been the best choice and this silly camera resorted to 800 or higher. To its credit, the camera does a decent job at these higher ISO settings, but unfortunately these are not the settings I want. I cannot trust this camera to select an appropriate ISO setting automatically.The silver lining here is the education this camera will force onto its owners. I am finding the best way to use this camera is to disable the Auto ISO sensitivity, turn the dial to "M" and leave it there forever. Don't look back! The resulting experience and results are quite refreshing! Using the D3100 in this completely manual fashion reminds me of using my old Pentax K1000. I'm back to the joyful routine of selecting each and every setting manually. The only problem is that I have now ruined entire photo-shoots and missed a number of shots. Sometimes one must learn the hard way but at least I wont be making those same mistakes again. The end result is that I am becoming a much better photographer.The plastic flimsy body is a downer. On my D3100 getting the battery into the camera doesn't feel quite right. The battery remains spring loaded and sticks up out of the body. One must then force the flimsy battery cover closed after inserting the battery. Inserting and removing memory cards also has a weird feel as the card seems to get stuck and requires some extra force to remove it. The D3100's buttons are so cheap feeling its as if they are going to fall right off.So, for everyone except students and professionals I would not recommend this camera, or any Nikon. Canon is effectively obliterating Nikon in just about every way. That said the underlying guts of the D3100 have merit and should be considered, especially at this low price. The low-light performance is very impressive and the 18-55 kit lens isn't bad at all. At the end of the day the D3100 can be used to take amazing photographs if the owner manually takes control. I am taking some amazing pictures with this camera but in general I am looking forward to getting rid of my lenses and this body so I can switch to Canon.

So much in a little package, what a great, compact Camera. The Nikon D3100 exceeded my expectations and then some.

As a beginner DSLR, this camera definitely takes a good quality image with strong colors, and is quite affordable. If it's your first SLR, it is a great introduction.I began with Nikon's D40 and moved to this when the size limitations of a 6 MP image became a hindrance to my expanding photography (and print) interests. Given that this model is newer by several years, I expected improvements across the board, but this was not the case.Things I was surprised to see lacking in the features list:Bracketing--an easy feature to implement, not included on this cameraVideography--now becoming a standard on SLR still cameras, this one supports full 1080p video, but only for 10 minute clips. 10 minutes is plenty of time for taking a quick video at a family gathering or vacation, but the limit gets in the way of experimenting with more serious work. The limitation is silly, and removes this camera from practical commercial use.Remote camera control--not the rf trigger; it supports that. I mean shooting tethered for things like stop-motion photography work. Every single Nikon SLR camera (including the old D40) supports this feature, except the D3000 and D3100.Things I was unpleasantly surprised by when shooting:The Auto mode on this camera does not perform as well as the old D40. I found that photos taken on auto were very frequently less saturated and closer to blown out or plugged than I am accustomed to. Setting the camera manually gave me great results.The camera's choice in ISO is ludicrous. Outdoors, noontime, in full sunlight, at 55mm, F5.6, the camera handed me ISO 2200. It very consistently strove to ramp up the ISO to unnecessary levels, favoring sensitivity over shutter speed.The noise. Partly because of the tendency to bump the ISO higher, but in general, I found that every one of the thousands of frames I've shot so far in *every* lighting condition, has a lot of noise. Perhaps this is a product of the 14 MP sensor, compared to the 6 I am used to...but it is a severe chore to set everything manually every frame or clean up all of the noise in post. (Noise reduction has been turned on throughout)So, to sum up: The D3100 has all of the basic SLR functions, none of the advanced ones, creates bland looking photos 70% of the time on auto, and is capable of taking great looking pictures but is noisy. If you're looking for a first SLR camera, the price is right, and it's definitely a camera that can be reasoned with. But as an upgrade to a camera that did everything well but was showing its age? Not an adequate replacement.

I learned photography in the early 1970's on a 35mm Miranda Sensorex SLR. Lost interest in the hobby for a long time, then got back into it in 2009. Wow, have things changed! I have been using a Panasonic LX3 since December 2009 with very good results (fast Leica glass on the LX3) and was ready to get back into an interchangeable lens camera. After doing a lot of hands on research, I decided on the D3100.I've had mine for two weeks now and for the most part, I am impressed. The D3100 takes excellent images on automatic with the kit lens. Composition is much easier with a proper viewfinder and the larger sensor makes obtaining shallow depth of field simple. My semi-pro photographer friends have all commented that my images with the D3100 are more creative, more artistic and much better than with the LX3.Personally, I can see the enhanced creativity in my D3100 images but I feel there is little difference in image quality between the two cameras. A bit of a disappointment on that regard (I was hoping for sharper images) but others who have viewed my images disagree with me, so maybe I am being overly critical. One thing I have discovered is the D3100's abilities far exceed mine when I take it off automatic - in other words, there is a steep learning curve going manual on this camera. I have a lot to learn about exposure so I feel that the D3100 will be a great tool to help me enhance my photographic skills.I am a bit disappointed in the build quality - the SD card door is flimsy and moves around a bit when closed, the lens creaks. The all metal LX3 has much better build quality than the D3100. To be fair, the D3100 has better build quality than the Canons I tested.The D3100 feels great in my hands and is very nice to use. The ergonomics are perfect. I tested the D5100 and the D90 as well as all the Canon Rebels. Of all of them, the D3100 felt the best.I considered getting the D5100 for its better sensor and screen, but the actual real world price difference was $400 (D5100 was being sold above sticker, D3100 was sold to me with a $100 Nikon rebate and an additional 10% discount from the retailer) and that was a significant savings.The 230k screen is adequate, not great, but acceptable.Overall, I am pleased. I am looking forward to learning how to get the most out of this camera and I definitely feel it will help me grow as a photographer.Update, 6/1/11: After reading Bryan Peterson's "Understanding Exposure", I am now shooting on full manual controls with my D3100. I set shutter speed, aperture, ISO and white balance for every shot. I also purchased the superb Nikkor 35mm f1.8 prime lens and a Tamron 70-300 telephoto zoom lens. With my newly acquired knowledge about setting exposure, the images I am taking with the D3100 are excellent. Images taken with the prime lens are tack sharp, that lens is amazing. The Tamron set to 70 mm also takes sharp images (images taken with the Tamron at 70 mm are sharper than the kit lens and the Tamron does not get soft until 300mm). With just a little post processing (I am using the View NX software that came with the camera), I can get the images from the kit lens to look incredible. I am extremely satisfied with this camera and I highly recommend it.

When I first received this camera as a teen, I was in love. It was the finest camera I had ever had, but I had no idea how to use it! The concept of shutter speed, aperture, and ISO, were all but alien to me at the time. This camera did a great job at teaching me how to handle a DSLR, and better DSLRs to come. The interface is all about education, and for the price and the camera's hardiness, it's a worthy investment.

The Nikon D3100 can be used as a simple point and shoot camera in it's automatic mode or by using the command wheel it is instantly set up for special shots like portrait, fast action, children playing Etc. OR you can take complete control of aperture, shutter speed and other more technical details associated with digital photo processing.It's a good value for the money

Let me make it perfectly clear that I am NOT a photographer nor in any profession relating to photography. I bought the camera because I have always been interest in photography and this was my 2012 Christmas gift to myself. From the very first photo that I took, I was in absolute awe. I had no idea that there was a camera that existed that would allow me to take such clean, crisp photos as afforded me by the Nikon D3100. I was torn between the Canon t3 and Nikon d3100, but decided on the D3100 because I was far more familiar with Nikon's camera reputation. Thus it has been almost elementary in the way that I have been able to grasp the use of features and techniques. When I say elementary, I mean ease of use. I am in love with my camera and highly recommend it for new professional camera users.

I recently purchased Nikon D3100 to replace my Nikon D60.I did research for more than a month going through all the reviews in the Internet. Generally, review on this Camera is good. I purchased this Camera for its Full HD Video capability, Live View and SD-XC (up to 64 GB) memory card compatibility.I am not a professional photographer, but have passion to photography, So, I bought this entry level D-SLR camera for better quality image than POINT-AND-SHOOT camera.I have read lot of books on D-SLR settings like ISO, F-Number, Aperture, Exposure compensation etc, in actual shooting; I end up using AUTO mode.THE PROBLEM WITH NIKON D3100 (I use with NIKON SB-600 External Flash Unit)In AUTO mode, Nikon D3100 selects only "AUTO ISO SENSITIVITY"WITH FLASH UNIT: In indoor shooting; it selects very high ISO Sensitivity (mostly ISO 3200). So the image quality is not good. In the same condition Nikon D60, selects ISO value of 200, whereas, Nikon D3100 selects ISO 3200. I mean, the Nikon D3100 is not considering the Flash Unit and is not adjusting the ISO accordingly.WITHOUT FLASH IN CLOUDY MORNING TIME: Even in outdoor daylight shooting, Nikon D3100 uses wide variety of ISO sensitivity (100 to 1600) whereas D60 used between ISO 100 to 400, in the same lighting condition. The image quality of the D3100 is not good in AUTO mode and it is only comparable to any POINT-AND-SHOOT camera.You can check this in dpreview site; in D3100 (in pg 14 of review) photo of the reviewer taken with built-in flash has ISO 3200, whereas for D60 (in pg 21 of review)photo of the reviewer taken with built-in flash has ISO 100. In the review they have not mentioned about this, but for curiosity, I downloaded the images and checked the EXIF information.Even the reviewer in dpreview.com has not noticed this biggest flaw!!! It's actually a casual shot with built-in flash, the end result is grainy ISO 3200 picture.Also, try with PASM mode, by setting SOME max ISO value. In flash mode with Auto ISO, it sets this MAX ISO. The only option we have with camera is setting ourselves an ISO value. D3100 selects high ISO values in AUTO ISO setting and the resulting in high grain pictures, which prevents you to use this entry level D-SLR for Casual photography.I am just back from 15 days vacation, with more than 1500 pictures taken, out of which 90% taken in AUTO mode. only 3 pictures are in ISO 100. All other in ISO 400 to 1100 in daylight, and ISO - 1100 to 3200 in flash mode.If you are owner of D3100, please check / review your own photos.Nikon D3100 has biggest flaw in Auto ISO logic, which prevents you to use this entry level D-SLR for Casual photography. Also Live View and Video is not meeting expectations. My D60 is much better than D3100. I am going to sell D3100 and retain my D60. (If Nikon can fix this in firmware, I like to retain D3100, I have written to Nikon, awaiting reply)If you want to buy an entry level D-SLR Camera to use like POINT-AND-SHOOT, Nikon D3100 is NOT the ONE.(Nikon D3100 may produce excellent images with Pro Modes like P,S,A & M, but certainly not in AUTO mode)Comments added on JAN 31 2011.I explored more on this D3100 Camera. Now I am using Aperture priority in most Outdoor situations and Changing ISO values to get desired Shutter Speed. I try to keep ISO at 100, if light is not sufficient then I Change ISO to 200 or 400+, to avoid slow shutter speed. It works fine produces excellent results.

This camera was my first DSLR and though it doesn't boast the many bells and whistles that its more expensive brethren do, it's a fantastic piece of equipment. If you are a beginner, this camera is for you. The interface is very user friendly, accentuated by the "guide" which walks you through different photographic techniques (e.g., blurring the motion of a flowing stream) and explains different functions (e.g., the various flash modes, focus modes, etc.). The image quality is excellent and boasts infinitely more creative avenues than a compact can.If you are a photo-enthusiast and have been shooting for several years, you will still love this camera. It is lightweight and great to travel with. The camera performs very well in low-light. With today's noise reductions softwares (e.g., Nik DFine 2.0, noise reduction within Lightroom, etc.) using high ISO's shouldn't even be a 2nd thought. At ISO 1600 images are excellent with a little bit of noise and at about 3200 noise gets a little much. Unless you are shooting fast-action sports, you'll find the 3 FPS burst rate to be sufficient. In camera editing tools make it a snap to edit your photos without having to wait to get to your computer. The only thing I miss is the ability to bracket exposures, particularly for HDR photography. I have not used the video mode much, but did notice that you can hear the camera focusing quite clearly. By adjusting some of the focus modes and switching to manual focus this issue goes away. Just takes a little messing around with.For the price this is a terrific camera. You can purchase this and still have money left over for a higher quality lens. That said, I have been very impressed with the kit 18-55 f/3.5-5.6. Given good light this little lens produces exceptional photos. At f/8 and 35mm images are very sharp. Minimal distortion at 18mm and images are a little soft at 55mm.I am rating this as 5-stars because of the value you get for the money you spend. Really cannot go wrong with this camera, either as a primary or back-up.

I am a 36yr old mom of 4. This is the best camera I have ever owned! It is also the first Nikon. The pictures are so deep & vivid! I can capture pictures of them swinging or running with no blur. It also takes 3 shots per second. Pool pictures capture water droplets in the air! I love this camera!

I love this camera! The photos are high quality and you can get professional looking photos in no time at all once you learn how to use the camera. Once you play with it (it's the only way to really learn how to use it and how to use it well!), you will love it. And it will grow on you for sure. If you are like me, you will have a hard time putting the camera down once you start taking photos and recording movies.The colors on the photos are so sharp and vivid that you will find it hard to believe you took the photos instead of a professional photographer. The VR prevents you from taking unclear photos if your hands are shaking while taking photos - great for children, elderly people or excited people, like me, sometimes :)I love the portrait mode and the fast shutter mode (for taking sports photos). The close up mode and the night mode are to die for and you will not believe how good your photos in low light will turn out! You will be impressed and your friends will be impressed.The video quality is good, but you will not be able to record long videos (like 30 minutes+). If you want this, then get a camcorder. This camera is exactly what it claims to be: a DSLR that takes sharp photos and 10 minutes(more or less) of HD video (mainly due to the way Nikon decided to save the file - "MOV"). 10 minutes of video is more than enough for me since I really do not plan on using this camera as a replacement for my camcorder anyway. I love the fact that, at this price range, Nikon d3100 is (as far as I know) the only DSLR camera on the market at this time that comes with auto-focus in video mode. The rest of DSLRs are missing auto-focus in movie mode and you have to focus manually. This may not be a big deal to some people, but it's important to me (especially when I have older people shooting videos). Another kudos (in my opinion) goes to Nikon for supporting both 24 and 30 frames per second at both 720p and 1080p!The camera does not come with a memory card (if shooting videos, make sure you get at least a SDHC class 6 card) and a USB cable for transferring photos or movies to your computer. You will need to buy the cable separately or get a memory card reader (not a big deal, though). I have 2 SanDisk 8GB class 10 memory cards and it works perfect for me!Another thing that you need to consider getting is a 52mm polarized filter. This will help protecting your lens and will also help with the quality of the photos since it will minimize reflection and glare (especially if you take photos or videos on the beach, in strong sun, by the ocean, etc). I got a Hoya filter set, but any polarized filter may work for you. If you are not ready to invest in a good set of filters, do yourself a favor and get the cheapest 52mm filter that you can buy in order to protect the camera lenses. It is much easier to replace a $10 filter,if scratched, instead of a few hundred dollars lens!On a side note: you may also want to be aware of the fact that not all lenses offered by Nikon are compatible with this camera. This was not a deal breaker for me, though, since the only other lens I plan on buying down the road is the 55-200mm one.All in all, this is a great camera for the price and I am sure you will be pleased with it. It is an entry DSLR camera that comes with great features for the price!

Once you get the hang of all the knobs and settings it is a great buy. Is great for anyone who is not a pro as well.

I just purchased this camera last week and have been very excited and happy with it. Although, I have not used it a great deal yet, it is a very impressive piece of electronic equipment.My first impression, is that it is not a simple camera. This is my first DSLR since using an FM (all manual)35mm SLR in school, about 20 years ago. My degree was in photography and cinema, but I do not use it professionally. So, with that said, it might make more sense to tell you I understand f-stops, shutter speed, depth of field and many more of the relevant technical issues of photography, but only using a film camera.Even with this knowledge, I have found it a challenge to understand everything this camera is capable of doing.For that reason, even though this is an entry level camera, know that it is a bit complicated to understand it's full potential of capabilities. You will make excellent photographs using the "auto" settings and not understanding the rest of the camera. If you take the time to work with the camera and use the manual as a guide, the camera will be better understood.As for what I like about the camera: (1.)It's fast and easy to use in the auto mode. (2.)The grip is comfortable and very functional. (3.) Color balance is good with the built in flash (not sure how itfunctions over longer distances...haven't tried it. May need something more powerful) (4.) Light weightand not too much of a burden to carry in a backpack or arm bag. (5.) Love the burst shooting. Three framesper second is suitable for the amateur. (6.) Battery does not fall out the bottom of the camera..it has afriction hold and will not come out easily if the access door comes open (I read this as a complaint inanother review). (7.) An amateur will appreciate the "dummy" menu since photo terminology needs to bestudied to understand.As for what I dislike about the camera: (1.) The fact that I spent a lot of money on it and have to carefulthink about how I handle it. It is not a beat around camera. Buy a point and shoot for snapshots if you tendto be rough on electronic equipment. (2.) Monitor gets dirty quick and hoping I won't scratch it from cleaning it frequently. (3.) A pretty large learning curve for understanding all of the functions....you will need to practice a lot.I will say in closing, this is a great little camera for the hobby of photography. It is a great little camerafor professionals, I imagine, as well. Although, not a professional quality (durability) camera, it will suitthe average person. Be aware, it is mostly all plastic, like most cameras these days, and requires carefulhandling to avoid damage.Oh, one last thing. Do what I did initially and buy a second battery. They are expensive, but at least youcan charge one to have when the first one dies. Using the flash cuts into the life of the battery. It's not that noticeable, but it is something to think about. I also bought a transfer cable so that I don't have toremove the card as often. The review of different memory cards had a common thread that many are not as durable as they would like. I figured not removing the card would help to protect it from wear and tear.Good luck with your camera.Tim, Ohio

For specifics on what this model can/can't do, read the other reviews. This is my overall opinion in comparison to other models and brands, but most importantly: value.I am an amateur, so photography is not my source of income - it is a hobby. I have been looking for an entry-level DSLR for some time now, comparing brands and doing extensive research. I have tried a few (Canon, Olympus, Pentax) and was left unsatisfied until now. The new D3100 is simply an awesome product FOR THE PRICE. It was designed to be an entry-level DSLR, and it IS. The ease of use, functionality, and design are above average for it's price range. Yes, there are areas that are not perfect, but this is NOT a professional series camera. You get what you pay for, and with this model you actually get more than what you pay for. If you want extreme precision in settings then get a pro model.Entry level means you're fairly new to DSLR, and this model allows you to learn specific "pro" functions to fine tune. Other brands may offer the same, but not to the extent that the D3100 does. Learning about Aperture, ISO, lighting, and so on, takes time to master and this is a perfect model to start with. If you have 4-5 thousand bucks to spend, get the D7000; if you have more to spend, then get the D3. The D3100 is 6-7 hundred bucks and a few extras like a super zoom, speedlight/diffusers, spare battery, lens filters, monopod, and a bag is really all you need. I just got all of these and have a little over a grand invested. Like I said, it's a great entry level DSLR camera for the price. If you have a lot more money to invest then by all means get a better model. I've spent countless hours researching brands/models/accessories and decided on this one, and I'm very happy with it. A few of my friends are professional photographers, each using a different brand; they all were very impressed with this model but even more so after I told them the price. A couple years down the road I'll invest the money and upgrade. But until then, this model will satisfy my learning and enjoyment experience with it's functionality, ease of use, and Nikon's reputation of quality.I've done Portrait, Landscape, Sports, and Live Band (low light + action) shots and emailed the pics to my Pro friends for their input. They are all amazed at the quality that this "entry-level" camera is capable of.FYI, my gear:D3100 with 18-55 AFS VR lens that came with it55-200mm AFS VR super zoom lensSB-600 speedlight with StoFen Omni-bounce diffusersNikon 52mm NC lens filterSigma DG 52mm Multi-coated UV filterManfrotto 679B monopodOpteka TH20 ball head w/quick releaseNikon spare batteryNikon lens cleaning pen3 color diffusers for pop-up flashLCD screen protector(s)Lowepro fastpack camera bagLaCrosse battery charger and Eneloop rechargeable batteries for the speedlight......... all for less than 1200 bucks... everything I need for indoor/outdoor, action, and low light shots.

We've got four kids, all involved in sports and other activities so a decent camera is a necessity. We've had a series of small 35mm and digital cameras over the years, but decided to upgrade to something better. I read many, many reviews of different cameras in this price range, and decided the Nikon D3100 was what we wanted.I bought this "kit" which includes a 18-55 mm lens, the camera body and the strap. I used a memory card we already had and played around with the camera to get a feel for it. I realized right away that I needed a better/longer lens for long distance sports shots, a bigger memory card and a bag to carry it all in. But I am really happy with the performance of this camera so far.It takes great action shots and video, and does well in low light even without the flash (which pops up automatically). I consider myself an amateur when it comes to cameras and terminology, but even without much knowledge I can tell this is a quality instrument. I'm yet to master all the many options it offers, but for our family use this camera is perfect.I bought a Tamron AF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 Di LD Macro Zoom Lens with Built In Motor for Nikon Digital SLR here on Amazon for $159, a Transcend 16 GB memory card for $16, and a Case Logic SLRC-202 Medium SLR Camera Bag for $35 to complete our camera setup. The longer lens allows us to zoom in the kids out on the playing field or up on the stage, and it works perfectly with this camera.This is a really nice mid-priced camera, and I highly recommend it. It needs a better lens to really be useful, but once you have that you're all set to take hundreds of excellent photos.