Nikon D3100
£479.00
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Now a year-and-a-half old, the D3100 was the first D-SLR in Nikon’s lineup to offer full HD video and is built around an APS-C 14.2Mp CMOS sensor, offering a maximum 4608x3072 pixel resolution.
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Though the 100-3200 ISO range of the Nikon D3100 appears conservative on paper, there’s the option of expanding this to Hi1 (ISO 6400) and Hi2 (ISO 12800) if required. Fitted with the 18-55mm image stabilised kit lens, it offers a focal length range that’s equivalent to 27-82.5mm in film terms. This works out slightly wider but not quite as long as Canon’s 1100D.
Features & performance
There’s an 11-point AF system with one cross-type variant in the middle with a selection of four AF area modes, including 3D tracking that’s designed to keep moving subjects sharp in focus as they pass through the frame. A full-time Servo AF mode known as AF-F offers continuous focus when Live View is deployed and can be used with HD video recording, but as we found out, the lens isn’t totally silent in operation so you can expect some AF noises to be picked up by the internal microphone. Supporting full HD video (1920x1080 @24fps) the D3100’s maximum record time is limited to 10mins, with movie files recorded in the MOV format. Below the optical viewfinder lies a 3in, 230k-dot screen and though this doesn’t offer the same clarity as some of its rivals, the layout of the menu is excellent and the info button can be used to toggle through your most commonly used settings including image quality, exposure compensation and focus modes.
In the hand the D3100 has an excellent feel for an entry-level model thanks to the rubberised, well-sculpted handgrip. The toggle switch at the rear makes Live View a breeze to operate and the movie-rec button lets you start video capture at a moment’s notice. The Phase-Detect AF system is responsive, offering an almost identical speed to the 1100D and the switch around the perimeter of the mode dial is superbly placed to control Self-timer and Continuous shooting, which it does at 3fps.
AT A GLANCE
Street Price: £479 (with 18-55mm kit lens)
Resolution: 14.2Mp
Lens Mount: Nikon DX
Crop Factor: 1.5x
Focusing: 11-point selectable
Viewfinder: Optical 95% coverage
Burst Rate: 3fps (10 RAW & Unlimited JPEG)
ISO Range: 100-12800
Shutter range: 30sec-1/4000
Screen: 3in, 230k-dot
Video: 1920x1080@24fps
Storage: SD/SDHC/SDXC
Weight: 455g
Dimensions: 124x96x74.5mm
www.nikon.co.uk
DIGITAL PHOTO GOLD AWARD
AS FEATURED IN THE JANUARY 2012 ISSUE OF DIGITAL PHOTO
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Had this camera 6 months now and its great. Im very new to the world of the DSLR, I must say its a fantastic 1st time DSLR choice with its onboard tutor. I would recommend this to new and those with experience in photograpy. only down point is you cant buy after market battery and the nikon one is around £40 to £50. Dont buy cheap chinese batteries they will not work on this or the D5100.
(Written by: stuw69)
22 February 2012 17:21