The Nikon D3100 is a replacement for the Nikon D3000 but is it as good – or any better?There’s a brand-new 14.2Mp CMOS sensor in the D3100, making it the second highest resolution D-SLR in the Nikon line-up, behind the top-of-the-range 24.5Mp full-frame D3X and eclipsing the 12.3Mp D300S that sits at the top of Nikon’s APS-C D-SLR range. There’s also a new image processor, EXPEED 2, while the ISO range has been improved by an extra couple of stops – the standard range is now 100-3200, but can be expanded to an impressive ISO equivalent of 12,800 at the D3100’s Hi2 setting.
The reasonably conservative 5-point AF system on the D3000 has now been replaced by the same Multi-CAM 1000 11-point AF system that’s in the D90 and D5000. There’s a choice of four AF modes – single point, dynamic-area AF, auto-area and 3D-tracking which uses the D3100 Scene Recognition System to help track your subject as it moves across the AF points. There’s still no built-in AF motor on the D3100, so AF is only possible with Nikon’s range of AF-S lenses which have a built-in AF motor (or Sigma’s HSM range as another example). Although this will limit you if you want to use older ‘screw-drive’ lenses, for most people they’ll be very well catered for by the wide selection of AF-S lenses available in the Nikon lens line-up. With the exception of one or two models, pretty much every DX lens now features AF-S, while third-party manufacturers offer a similar solution in the majority of their lenses, too.
As with all Nikon DX-format D-SLRs, there’s a 1.5x crop factor to apply to any lenses attached, so the 18-55mm kit lens offers a broad coverage of 27-82.5mm, while it also features Nikon’s Vibration Technology (VR) to reduce camera shake. It allows you to shoot hand-held at a shutter speed that’s up to 3 stops slower than you’d normally be able to do without camera shake.
Missing on the D3000, but featured on the D3100, is Live View, with its own dedicated switch. AF during Live View is via contrast-detect AF rather than phase-detect AF, and again offers a choice of four AF modes – Face-priority AF, wide-area AF, normal-area AF and subject-tracking AF. Along with Single and Manual focus options in Live View, there’s also a new full-time Servo AF (AF-F), that offers continuous focus without the need to press the shutter. This feature is also handy when shooting in HD video, with the D3100 the first Nikon D-SLR to feature full-HD at 1080p – a better spec than both the D3S and D300S. Video can be shot at 10-minute intervals with mono audio, but there’s no external microphone socket, and no stereo sound option.
Along with Single shot, Continuous and Self-timer drive modes, there’s the inclusion of a Quiet shooting mode, where the noise of the shutter is reduced – handy when you don’t want to make your presence felt too much, such as at a wedding for instance.
Retained from the D3000 is the same 3in screen with a resolution of 230K dots, which is a little low and overshadowed by some compact cameras. There’s also the same dual anti-dust system that was on the D3000, with stray sensor dirt shaken from the sensor, as well Nikon’s Airflow Control System that diverts stray dust away from the chip and towards small ducts at the base of the lens mount.
The design of the D3100 is a gentle evolution of the D3000 with a couple of subtle changes. There’s now a dedicated switch/button for Live View/HD video, as well as the addition of a drive mode switch round the slightly more pronounced mode dial.
The design of the D3100 is relatively compact, but the handgrip is a respectable size that offers a firm and comfortable grip - helped by the rubberised grip round the handgrip and thumbrest. The rest of the exterior finish is predominantly plastic, but has a pleasing, lightly mottled, matte finish and despite its size and entry-level focus, it feels solid and compares well to the competition.
Performance & handlingThe 11-point AF system is arranged in a diamond formation, with single point selection carried out via the D-Pad at the rear of the camera. AF performance is strong, locking on to subjects quickly and only ever hunting in extreme low-contrast scenes. Single-point AF is handy to precisely select which area of the frame you want the point-of-focus to be, while Dynamic-area AF is good for fast moving action. The 3D -tracking AF mode is quite a sophisticated feature for an entry-level D-SLR, and will track your subject from point-to-point, making it ideal for moving subjects.
Thanks in part to the newly developed EXPEED 2 image processor, the D3100 can shoot an impressive burst of 28 RAW files before the buffer slows down, compared to 6 on the outgoing D3000. This is done at a frame advance of 3fps (frames per second) – an average rate for a D-SLR of this class.
Thanks to the switch next to the screen, Live View is easy to activate, while the sprung mechanism means it can’t be activated inadvertently. As mentioned already, contrast-detect AF is used, and while it’s pretty quick for a D-SLR, it struggles to keep up with some CSCs out there, such as the Panasonic LUMIX G2 that’s now at a similar price. Live View video can be activated at the press of a button, with a maximum continuous recording time of 10mins at highest resolution. Full-time-servo AF (AF-F) offers continuous autofocus during video capture (though it can be used in Live View, too) without the need to depress the shutter button to focus. Don’t expect rapid focus though as there can be a little bit of a delay while it refocuses as you move the camera. For smooth, creative focusing and transitions, you’re probably still better off with manual focus.
Apart from the Drive modes, most of the settings for the D3100 are set via the menu on the rear screen. While controls might not be as instantly accessible as some rivals, it’s possible to toggle through settings and adjust relatively quickly, using a combination of the command dial and D-Pad. The Fn button can be used as a quick access key and can be set to control, either ISO, White Balance, Image Quality or Active D-Lighting, so you can quickly change this setting without needing to dive into the main menu. Just above the Fn button is the Flash button, which doesn’t just force the built-in flash up, but keeping it depressed allows you to quickly toggle through the various flash settings, including red-eye and Slow/Rear curtain sync.
The GUIDE mode is a useful feature for beginners, allowing the camera to be viewed as either a very advanced point-&-shoot, or as a creative tool employing more advanced settings. There’s step-by-step guidance along the way, from asking what type of shot you want to achieve, to what settings you’ll need – with visual samples of what these changes
will produce.
Value & verdictWith a launch price of £499 with the 18-55mm kit lens, it’s very competitively priced, pitting itself against cameras such as the Canon EOS 550D at £649, and the Panasonic LUMIX G2 at £499.
With the increasing competition, not only from the D-SLR sector, but the ever-growing CSC (Compact System Camera) market, there’s never been more choice for people looking at investing in their first ‘serious’ camera. So to continue the success the D3000 had and allow it to be a main contender in this sector, the D3100 needed to be a big leap forward rather than just a refresh.
The outcome? The D3100 has succeeded brilliantly! If you’re looking to invest in your first advanced camera, then you won’t be disappointed with the D3100. Though it may look similar to the D3000, scratch below the surface and you’ll see that the D3100 is a vast improvement. The specification is very impressive, with little to fault. The image quality from the 14.2Mp chip is excellent – there’s bags of detail there – and you have the flexibility to shoot at high ISOs without the worry of Noise ruining your shots. The AF, while not a new system, is one of the best on an entry-level D-SLR, delivering a solid performance. The addition of Live View keeps it in check with the competition and for those wanting HD video, then the full HD capabilities are bound to appeal, though a stereo mic socket would have been nice to see – as well as a higher resolution screen.
Those minor faults aside, pretty much every box is ticked. Just as important is what it’s like to use, and the D3100 doesn’t disappoint here either. It’s great to shoot and learn with. If you’re looking for an entry-level D-SLR, make sure the D3100 is at the top of your list.
AT A GLANCEStreet price: £499 (with 18-55mm)
Resolution: 14.2Mp (4608x3072 pixels)
Lens mount: Nikon F-mount
Focusing: 11-point selectable
Burst rate: 3fps (28 RAW & Unlimited JPEG)
Write times: 1.5secs (RAW), 1sec (JPEG)
ISO range: 100-3200, expandable to 12,800 (at Hi2 setting)
Viewfinder: Optical, approx 95% coverage
Shutter range: 30secs-1/4000secs
Monitor: 3.0in, 230k dots TFT LCD
Live View: Yes
HD video: 1920x1080 @ 24fps
Storage: SD/SDHC/SDXC & Eye-Fi
Weight (body only): 505g
Dimensions: 124x96x74.5mm
www.nikon.co.uk
Digital Photo Gold Award