Отзывы о Цифровой Фотоаппарат Nikon D3100

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.

Skip down to Pro/Cons if you don't want any background info.Okay, so the title says who I am basically, but I'll delve a little deeper so my review makes more sense.I'm a computer science student that's pretty tech savvy in my own opinion, and I'm now trying to break out in the digital world. I'm planning to upgrade my blogs with my own pictures and art and this was one step towards that.What I know about professional photography is the basic idea you learn in physics. Yes, school does teach you something. My previous camera was actually my cell phone. I've been currently using a n900, that took decent pictures with 10mp, and before that I've used the n82 at 5mp, which was actually a little better than the n900 before it broke down. I know to any serious photographer those two wouldn't even count, but everyone always says the best camera is the one with you and that's what I went on. And, if you actually take a look at the output of these phones, they are better than most point and shoots in my opinion...Now that my current phone is crapping out on me and I decided to grab a dslr. This wasn't my first choice, and I was going to get a t3i, because I love having tons of features but it was out of my price range. You have to consider also getting more than the kit lens, which will run you at least 200+, so considering that, this was the best choice for me. As a new user of dslr, I researched the different features of different cameras using many different websites but my favorite was snapsort. This site gives a good side by side comparison of the two cameras you're thinking of. I'd suggest if you still have any doubts go there and compare the two or more you wanted, and it'll give a better overview.Now the pros/cons list...Pros:-light-cheap enough to get another lens with this kit compared to other kits-guide feature to help with setting up the perfect shot-easy to understand interface in both the lcd/viewfinder-manual settings seem pretty easy to set upCons:-software doesn't seem that great-still a bit expensive for a hobbyist-focusing sound when doing auto focus in video (I knew about this before though, and this can be fixed by having a separate audio recording device)-no external mic input-no bluetooth/ir sensor for the cordless remote (I think you can rig up a wired cord to act as the input to a wireless remote though with the use of an outside microcontroller, but I wouldn't advise unless you had technical knowledge to do so,... such as circuitry and some programming,...)-guide is a bit cumbersome, if you want to switch from setting to setting, this will take some timeAll in all, a great starter camera. I think this will be future proof and I'll be able to use this for a good 5 years at the very least.

I've been a Nikon fan for many years now, but I'm sad to say this product just doesn't deliver. The photo quality is just not there for the money spent. Photos are soft and noisy (despite correct settings/lighting), autofocus is highly unreliable and slow regardless of the lens used.Forget about motion shots or zooming and cropping. Any decent shots have to be manually focused. I'm disgusted that I spent over 600 bucks on a camera that can be outperformed by a 100 dollar point and shoot.I've been working with Nikon cameras for over 10 years now. I'm really starting to think the quality is declining.Save your money and invest in a better Nikon model or try another brand with less frequent focusing issues. At the very least do some extensive testing on your camera before your ability to return it expires. I wish I had.

The Nikon D3100 is my first DSLR. I had been using the Panasonic FZ30 (considered a bridge camera) for about 5 years prior to this purchase.I had three main reasons for making the switch:1. I've been on the market for a DSLR for a while now, but finally decided to take the SLR plunge when I learned that Nikon had come out with this particular model. I had considered getting the D3000 when it was introduced, but I really wanted live view and video.2. Taking indoor pictures with my bridge and my regular point and shoot was beginning to get frustrating. I was tired of every 4 out of 5 pictures being blurry.3. My parents wanted my FZ30.Manual Mode vs. AutomaticHaving learned how to pick shutter speed and aperture on my bridge camera, I'm mostly using manual mode on the D3100. The Panasonic had separate dials for controlling shutter speed and aperture, so it's taking some getting used to having only one dial on the D3100 (you have to hold down a separate button while turning the dial for aperture). I have played around a bit with Auto mode and it seems to have good results. It will definitely be useful whenever I have to hand the camera over to someone else. Also, the D3100 has an no-flash-auto mode, which is useful for places where you can't use the flash or if you're like me and just don't like using the flash.White BalanceMy favorite feature has to be the white balance controls. I tend to like my pictures slightly warmer or slightly cooler and the D3100 lets you alter the color settings to be pretty much whatever you would like them to be. So, I can choose Auto white balance, but tweak the settings so the pictures are on the warm/cool side. There are several preset white balances and you can alter them each individually or use the manual calibration.Lenses and FiltersThe 18-55mm lens that comes with the camera works great for my purposes. The next lens I get will definitely be getting is the 35mm AF-S DX for lower light situations. If money was no object, I would get the 12-24mm AF-S DX wide angle zoom. As far as filters go, everyone should get a good circular polarizer, especially for outdoor photography. If you've never used a polarizer before, you'll be amazed at what one can do for skies.SoftwareTo be honest I haven't bothered to try the software that came with the camera. I use Adobe Lightroom. They recently came out with RC 3.3 which supports the NEF(RAW) files from Nikon cameras. I use Photoshop too.Things that the D3100 is missing (but I am not)1. USB cable - I had one already that worked, and even if I didn't, I prefer to use a card reader.2. Bracketing - I don't use it.3. IR remote - Can have a wired remote, but I just use the timer.Things I would have liked1. Larger aperture in the lens2. LCD screen protector, or better yet, a flip out LCD screen.Overall, I am very happy with this purchase and I would recommend to anyone who is looking for a good entry level DSLR.Additional Notes: I bought this camera with an Epson large format printer because there was a manufacturer's rebate from Epson. Sold the printer, so I ended up saving a bit on the overall cost of the camera.

I bought the D3100 over the 7000 primarily due to it's lighter weight, as well as it is far cheaper. I could afford the more expensive camera, but really don't like being weighed down a lot.I'm an advanced amateur photographer, so my review will be biased by that experience.What I like:1. Battery life is excellent (however the first thing I ordered was one extra battery)2. Image detail is excellent for the cost, and the kit lenses are acceptable (not GREAT, but definitely "OK") for amateur use. The big issue I have with the kit lenses is that being 18-55 and 55-200, there is a lot of lens changing required. A wider zoom covering wide to mid tele would have been more convenient.3. Ease of use - menus are decently laid out and there are buttons to take you directly to oft-used settings such as flash mode. A single programmable function button just below the flash-up button makes it easy to access the function of your choice. I use it to access the ISO selection.4. Focusing and exposure is good for an entry level camera, but Nikon tends to over-expose in bright outdoor conditions, so I usually set -0.3 EC.Now, the negatives:1. Video mode is problematic- despite having 1080p, auto focusing is NOISY and SLOW, and there is no external mic jack. A serious omission.2. Screen - resolution is so low that it's hard to judge focus. I have to hit zoom-in a couple of times to have any hope of confirming the focus of a shot.3. Flash - the camera has no wireless capability for flash units or anything else such as wireless shutter release. another major omission.4. Viewfinder - viewfinder magnification is pretty low so you may have a difficult time confirming focus. The image is so small that a "normal" lens won't appear "life size" when you keep both eyes open. "normal" would be roughly 32mm. The D7100 clearly wins the viewfinder contest--it's brighter and larger.5. Don't be fooled by silent mode. All it does is delay the mirror-down event to occur when you take your finger off of the shutter release, after you take a picture.6. Mirror lock up - not really. Mirror lockup ONLY works for such things as cleaning the sensor. It doesn't work when shooting pictures. Also, the two second delay mode doesn't swing the mirror out of the way at the beginning of the two second interval. the mirror goes up just before the pic is taken, just like in normal modes.Conclusion:I'm happy with the camera for MOST of my uses, but then again, I knew that it being an entry level camera, I'd have to accept such limitations. IMO, it's definitely worth the low cost. Furthermore, I'm far happier with the camera's performance, now that I have a Nikon AF-S 35mm f1.8 lens.

Part of my job, at a newspaper, is to rely on heavy cameras we have at our disposal, but when it comes to my personal stuff, I prefer to go very light. That's why for the last years I just kept ultracompact digicams with me that worked (and still work) fine fine. Recently I got some money from a gift, and decided to buy the new Nikon D3100 for taking better portraits of people in my life... to take quality pictures of what I'm used to do with my small digicams, in situations when I can comfortably carry the DSLR without worrying about the bulk. Basically, I bought this camera to use it exclusively with one or 2 prime lens I'll be buying in the near future.After more than 1,000 shots with this camera in the last 2 weeks, I'm very glad with the purchase. This lightweight and fast device is a joy to use! Very lightweight, and great looking design.This Nikon feels great in my hands, the build quality seems sturdy and looks kind of pro even for it's smallness compared to bigger DSLRs. I love how I can set the func button to control ISO or other stuff like White Balance.The lens included with the camera is very very sharp, so far I cannot complain. I'm amazed at the clean images I get with ISO 3200 indoors!! Wow, that's something that we couldn't say a few years ago with these cameras. I've already had pictures published in the newspaper set at those high Isos, and no problem... They look great!!I also love the option of setting Picture Controls and Auto ISO. I usually set my camera to Portrait or Standard plus a little bit (1) of saturation.I have already taken lots of photographs indoors without flash, portraits outside, candids indoors and outdoors, and even handed the camera to my brother (who knows nothing about operating DSLRs) for shooting parts of a concert and he got some beautiful pictures!! And that's one of my favorite things abut the camera: I can give it to other people to take pictures as a point and shoot, and they enjoy using it and taking nice photos without worrying about setting stuff.I really don't care about video capabilities, nor liveview. I rarely use them but when I have done it, I've liked what I've seen. My only complaint is the battery, as I think it drains quickly compared with other cameras in the similar category I've seen.So, for recording my life (and my family - friends - myself) in those moments I don't mind carrying something bigger than my ultracompact, the Nikon D3100 is perfect. I wouldn't bother to carry something bigger or heavier. This is the perfect balance.My next buy will be the Nikkor 35mm 1.8 lens, and the small sb400 flash, that I will use all the time instead of the kit lens. I have nothing against the kit lens, but I love primes and the idea of getting the best quality possible for the least money. Then, in a few months, I may get a prime telephoto for complimenting the 35mm in the candid stuff. And that's all I think I will ever need for the rest of my life in personal photography.I'm very very happy with my purchase, thanks Nikon!

Wonderful is how I feel about having a camera that actually works. I've probably spent $300-400 over the last 5 years on point-n-shoots, and now I wonder "what's the point?" in having a point-n-shoot??I've been a terrible photographer my whole life. You know, occasionally I'll get a good one. On the first day I had this camera, during evening hours in lower light settings, I took 20 pictures of my dog, and 18 of them came out great!! The other two were probably my fault, but I'm a total novice and didn't read the manual. One of my dog's picture was so good it became my wife's wallpaper on her computer. How's that for instant gratification?Did I mention I have no interest in learning about professional photography? the camera has some manual modes for experts which I'll probably never use, but that's ok. I'm gonna use this camera just like a point n shoot. In auto mode, it automatically adjusts to flower mode when you get close up to something. And the HD video is....... AWESOME!!If you like small pocket cameras that take a pic every 5 seconds, are useless for low lighting settings and fast-moving targets, go ahead and spend $100 for a toy. If you want to take great pictures, and very responsive, can take 3 pics in a row in 1 second... pick one of these puppies up.

Before this camera, I used a Nikon Coolpix L1 and was not serious about Photography. As I decided to venture into photography, I started looking for newly launched cameras in 2010 and 2011. I decided to keep the search simple at entry level DSLR as I did not want a complex unit to operate as I learn. I found D3100 a very good option at the time as compared to Canon T2i and D5000.I bought this in Feb-2011 on the President's Day weekend in good sale price. I am thoroughly enjoying this DSLR from Nikon(first one for me). Pictures are neat and clean, ease of use is also simple. Works great with 18-55mm VR. Camera size is not much bulky, though I wish they could have sold this with 18-105mm VR combination like they do in the UK.What I did not like of this camera was the Auto-ISO logic on the Auto option when flash is used. Too much of liberty has been taken away. Viewfinder does not have the ISO reading being in use for the exposure is one thing missing. Viewfinder is easily susceptible to dust particles. Some regular menu options are too much in depth inside and they could have given some rings or options on the body (like D90).What this camera lacks is the drive motor. Hence, collecting lenses is restricted as all AF-S DX lenses are costly.External flash guns available from Nikon or other manufacturer's will not sync above 1/200 or 1/250. This is a drawback to some extent on Nikon entry level DSLR bodies whereas the older D40 did much better with 1/500. The High Speed Sync option is not available in this entry level models.I have'nt used the Guide Mode and wont use as its time consuming and lengthy. Nikon would have been much better by providing some other useful options other than such Guide Mode.I did observe some sharpness issues sometimes, partly because inability to lock focus exactly. Incidentally, the focus selector lock switch is absent on this camera. Higher level Nikon DSLRs like D7000 have the focus selector lock switch.In all, Nikon took away too many "must-haves" of a DSLR in the name of entry level.

The item was very quality I just wish it came with more amenities. If there were more items with it, this would've been a 5 star purchase

Let me first start out by saying that I'm definitely a novice when it comes to photography, but my wife and I have always enjoyed it, and have managed to get some good travel photos (outdoor, good lighting) with higher end point and shoot cameras in the past. Our latest Canon P&S is only a few years old, so I honestly didn't really think that I needed any upgrade, but after our first son was born a few months ago, we broke down and bought the D3100 because we were having so much trouble getting good, clear photos of him.The D3100 has been awesome so far. We just had our son's baptism, and took tons of photos inside the church and restaurant afterwards (most on auto since we handed the camera off to relatives), and even on auto it was a huge difference in quality from our past indoor photos. We've also played around with the different modes, and have already taken some cool portraits with the backgrounds softened (we've always loved that effect). The guide mode was pretty helpful at first, and it was definitely one of the features that made us feel more comfortable upgrading to an SLR camera. I was also surprised at how small the camera is. I always had the impression that SLR's were pretty bulky, and we were concerned that we might not want to take this one with us travelling, but it's actually a lot smaller than I would have thought. We've ended up taking it pretty much everywhere with us. We've also been spoiled so much by the quality of the D3100 photos that we have absolutely no reason to take photos with our P&S camera anymore.1080p video is also an added bonus, and one of the features that we were really interested in too with taking home videos of kids, dogs, etc. The sound of the lens auto-focusing hasn't really been an issue for us. Maybe there's been a lot of background noise when we've taken videos so far, but I haven't really noticed it much. The D3100 has really been a great camera so far...far better than what I expected even after reading all of the positive reviews.

For the cost of this camera, I don't think you can get anything better. The low light performance is off the charts. As a wedding photographer I regularly shoot with Nikon's high end professional equipment and I was amazed how close this camera is to a pro camera. Now let me get specific. In order to compare I took a look at 100% files out of each camera I own.Which camera excels Nikon D3100($Cheap) VS. D300($1600) VS. D700 ($2,700):* Lens = The D3100 is the only camera that comes with a lens at it's normal price* ISO Performance = Tie between D3100 and D700! (It could be Nikon's new processing but the JPEG looks fantastic I was shooting D3100 on 6400iso with very little noise at all)* Low Light Focusing = D700* Focus Speed = D700* External Buttons & Controls for Pros = D700* Menu Navigation = D3100* Ease of Use = D3100* Megapixel = D3100 (14.2)* Sensor size = D700 (Much more important than megapixels but I won't get into this)* Can use older lenses with functionality = D700 & D300* Video = D3100 of course! 1080P video looks amazing.* Frame Rate = D300 at 6 photos a second* Weight = D3100 (light as a feather)* Ergonomics = D700 (big enough for all my finger)Lens:The lens is a kit lens, it will work outside but not so great in low light. The Vibration Reduction will help indoors but Vibration Reduction can't stop a child or pet in motion indoors. Consider buying a 35mm 1.8dx AFS for around $200 and you will be super happy with this camera.Video:I purchased the 3100 specifically to shoot video, so I put on Nikon's brand new 85mm 1.4g Nano lens and shot video with it. The lens costs more than double the camera but I wanted to see how the 1080P video looked. It has the look of a cinematic movie. After the 85mm, I put on Nikon's 50 1.2 manual focus lens and was able to take very cinematic video in manual mode. In order to make it brighter or darker you either need to use a really old lens like the 50mm 1.2 and hit the AE-L (auto exposure lock) and twist the aperture to change exposure. Or you can hit the AE-L button when you get the exposure you like. Its not a perfect system but it works well for me. Inside the menu options you can change the AE-L button to hold the setting until you reset which is helpful.Jello Cam (What's not so great):This camera still suffers from the "Jello Cam" look in video if it is not on a tripod and you are shaky. The video can look like jello if moved too quickly. Use a monopod or tripod when shooting to avoid this. I'm not sure if a faster video frame rate 60fps would help - but at 24 and 30 it can suffer badly.Conclusion:This is an amazing deal! Unless you make most of your income from photography or have a stockpile of old lenses (this camera can only autofocus with AFS lenses) then this camera is the must have camera of the year. If you have good composition skills and an eye for light you can take photos worthy of a magazine with this. Seriously, you won't regret buying this camera. When you do, do yourself a favor and buy an additional Nikon AFS lens that has a maximum aperture of 2.8, 1.8 or 1.4. These lenses will take better portraits and deal better in low light than the kit lens.

I purchased this camera in October and have used it a lot since then. It takes great pictures, feels good in my hand, is very easy to use, and I think overall a great value.However, it also has an extremely annoying problem that Nikon has yet to fix. This problem has been discussed in at least one other review, in Ken Rockwell's review of the camera, and in the Amazon.com customer discussions forum here: [...]While I read about this problem before purchasing the camera, I didn't know what it meant or how it would effect me. Now that I've become more proficient with the camera, it's become a real issue. The problem is, when the camera is set to use auto ISO and the flash is used in a low-light condition (in AT LEAST Program mode, and I believe in Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, and Manual modes as well), the camera uses an extremely high ISO and overexposes the picture. This means that for low light shooting in shutter priority mode, you have to choose between auto ISO and flash...a real annoyance.As I know that people get upset when a product they like is criticized, I've uploaded pictures in the "customer images" section to show what I'm referring to and how big an issue it is. They are the three pictures of a wreath, and an explanation follows (and is included in the comments of the pictures). And instead of a washed out picture of a wreath, imagine that it's a washed out picture of your family - a very annoying issue.These pictures are to show how the camera incorrectly uses Auto ISO when flash is used in low light settings. All three are taken in Program mode with the same ambient lighting conditions and all settings the same besides the ISO and flash settings. I recognize that they don't have much artistic value; they're just to show this issue.#1 - Flash on, manual ISO set to 100. Camera picked: SS 1/60, F2.8#2 - Auto ISO turned on - it chose SS 1/60, F6.3, and inexplicably picked an Auto ISO equal to the max allowed of 3200. Resulted in a terribly washed out picture.#3 - No flash, auto ISO still on. It chose SS 1/60, F1.8, and an ISO of 1100This shows that the auto ISO of 3200 is ridiculous (as it's much higher than the auto ISO picked with no flash). I guess just seeing picture #2 shows this as well, as it's terribly washed out.Ultimately, the camera is great in other respects, and I would rate it 5 stars if it weren't for this issue. However, this is a big issue and I have to rate it 3 stars for this reason. If Nikon updates the firmware to fix this issue, I will gladly revise my review, give the camera 5 stars, and remove the pictures showing the issue.UPDATE: I've just learned to adapt to this issue and just set ISO manually when I want to use flash in a low-light situation. I am updating the rating to 4 stars, as I still get great shots from the camera and just treat it like it doesn't have auto ISO.

This is my first DSLR and I have to say I'm so enjoying this wonderful Nikon! I've been using it for a few months now, my husband bought me this as an anniversary gift for me in January and I wanted to get to know this camera before reviewing it. I've been having a great time getting to know this technology which is new to me (I've only ever used a simple point & shoot before). While I'm aware that there are DSLRs out there that are several times the cost of this one, and also come with even more advanced features, I have to say this digital SLR is a fantastic starter camera for those who are wanting to get into photography - whether it's just a hobby or even professional.I was most interested as I like to take nice photos for my blogging and also practice photography techniques with my children. Although someday I hope to pick up a few more fancy lenses, this Nikon camera comes with a great starter lens which takes some excellent photographs. As with any DSLR, it does take some learning and adjusting to in order to know how to operate this camera. While it's more complicated than a simple point & shoot that just about anyone could figure out, the Nikon D3100 is one of the more manageable DSLRs for beginners. I still have a lot to learn about this technology, but so far I've found this camera fairly easy to understand. It has a very helpful, built-in help system as well, available on any setting at the touch of a button. I'm also a fan of the easy "trash button" that lets me delete photos I don't want quickly and easily, as opposed to having to navigate through a menu in order to delete anything.The built-in flash is okay, but we definitely plan to buy some additional flash accessories in order to give this camera it's fullest potential. The built-in can only do so much, so definitely consider that before buying - you're probably going to want to spend the money on a nice flash as well.We've had zero complications with this camera, although we're taking our time getting to "know" it, and very much enjoying the process. If you're a beginner photographer, or simply wanting a really nice camera for home/personal/business photography, the Nikon D3100 comes highly recommended by this family! It comes everywhere with us now, and we're so pleased with it's capabilities, especially considering the price compared to other comparing DSLRs. Enjoy! She's a beauty.

Usually I am too lazy to write a review, but I am so pleased with the purchase of this Nikon camera that I need to spread the word. If you are interested in getting a DSLR camera but don't want to break the bank, then the Nikon D3100 is your answer - hands down. After you purchase the camera, take a little time to read the manual and learn how to unlock the power of this camera. Within one month, I have photographed the moon, hummingbirds in flight, landscapes, and portraits. Many photos are worth printing and framing for gifts. I am technically savvy, but digital cameras have always been a mystery. The Nikon D3100 took away the mystery and enabled me to capture great images. You shant be disappointed.

I am new to the world of DSLRs having only occasionally used my roommates' D70 but mostly making do with a point and shoot. After a few months of reading up on various cameras and asking people for advice, I settled on the D3100 and it finally arrived last week, almost a month after ordering it. After using it over the last week, including an entire day of shooting, here are a few impressions of the camera (without delving into too much technical detail for which I refer readers to [...]Pros* Good image quality - the 14.2 megapixels allow you to make large prints of shots without sacrificing quality* Fantastic high ISO performance - even at ISO 3200 or Hi1 and Hi2, the camera performs well under low light without excessive noise or grain problems. (For example, this camera shoots better at ISO 1600 than a D70 does at the same ISO. Whereas the D3100's pictures had almost no noise, the D70's pictures were quite grainy).* Light, small and very comfortable to shoot with - all my friends who have DSLRs that picked up this camera exclaimed "Wow this thing is SO ridiculously light"* Buttons and menu layout is intuitive and allows for quick changes while shooting* Guide mode - for those who want to try new things with various types of photography the camera has built in tutorials that help get a user started* 1080p video - enough said!* A variety of preset shooting modes for quick shotsCons* No bracketing - makes taking HDR shots a little more inconvenient but doing it manually is of course still possible (and relatively easy)* Continuous autofocus during video is loud - an easy workaround is to focus manually* No external mic input* Cannot use a wireless remoteThe 18-55mm VR lens that comes with the camera is a great all purpose lens to start photographing with and can take very good shots in a wide range of scenarios, performing decently well in low light scenarios too. Coupled with the camera, this camera is an ideal way to enter the world of DSLRs. For those who are relatively new, the preset modes and the Guide mode are useful in understanding the different settings used in night, landscape, portrait etc photography. However, it also caters to the more advanced user with the A, S, P and M modes that allow for finer control and even complete manual control. Consequently, this camera offers amazing value for money since as an entry-level DSLR it offers an amazing set of features (which are comparable to D5000 or even the new D7000) for a very competitive price. Thus, this is a great camera for people thinking of graduating from a point-and-shoot to a DSLR.While the cons for this camera could be significant for certain people (i.e. if you are really into HDR photography or want to shoot a lot of videos with an external mic), they are generally ones that you can live with, maybe even not noticing it. Nonetheless, the Nikon D3100 is a fantastically versatile camera, especially for people new to the DSLR world, in a amazingly comfortable and light form factor.

I bought this camera and after a few months it went to hell and when i sent it for repair which the camera is still under warrenty, the company wont fix it unless i pay $160. for the camera and $30. for the lense. Dont buy a nikon they dont last.

Just picked up a D3100 today. This camera is really a gem, Day 1 and I'm already sure that I've made the right choice. Was looking to upgrade from my D70, another great camera by Nikon. However, experience over the past few years has seen my Canon G10 seeing more action since it offers a more lightweight and portable option for day to day shooting than the D70.Liked the D90, but that seems even bulkier and heavier than the D70. Didn't want to invest in a full-frame digital; as a "prosumer" who loves photography as a hobby, I pretty happy with the "compromise" of the smaller sensor of the DX series.Pondered the D5000, was swayed by Rockwell's review of it, but it was just a little too lite on the features I enjoyed on the D70. Looked at the promising 4/3rd cameras, but felt the G10 was just as good as many/most of them.Saw the D3100 announcement and that looked promising. Waited to see what D90 replacement would look like and felt too big and too expensive for what I was looking for. The D7000 is a marvelous looking camera on paper and I'm sure will make a lot of people happy.However seeing the feature set on the D3100, and the weight and size, was pretty convinced that it was the route to go. After getting it today, am absolutely sure about it.If you read the prior two well written reviews, you'll get a sense of the technical features of this camera. What I'd add are these features that I like:1) Overall feel: This camera fits perfectly for me, and I've got pretty big hands. Very well designed ergonomically.2) Size/weight/balance: Very lightweight body that balances with kit lens very well, and really nails to size factor for me.3) Build quality: I know I'm not going to get a battle-ready body at this price, but wasn't looking for that. For the materials used, feels very solid and high-end.4) Help system: I like the built-in help system. I doubt I'll use the guide mode, but will be useful for my wife. But you can get help in any mode, so it's a nice built in reference system.5) Well designed menu system: I love this. Compared to the D70, it's like moving out of the dark ages.6) Good button design: Not too many, and easy to get too. Laid out well, and intuitive to use.7) HD Video: Nikon throws in a HD video recorder. Happy to have that too.I really don't have any criticisms as of yet. Been happy with the test pictures so far, and really consider this camera a step up from the D70. I've no problem with the lack of bracketing, although that "missing" feature seems to be freaking some folks out. I do miss the wireless remote, but you can get a wired one.Note: Really wanted to get this from Amazon, but needed it soon for an upcoming trip so went the BB/10% coupon route. Not sure what happened to inventory management on the Amazon side. No worries, I'm sure Amazon will see plenty of lens orders from me soon enough. :-)Definitely check this camera out next time you see it, think you'll be impressed. I bet this is the camera that gets the buzz at Photikina this year.Nice job Nikon!