Nikon D3100 August 2010
Watch our First Look video of the new Nikon D3100 DSLR
The Nikon D3100 is the 14.1Mp follow-up to Nikon's hugely successful D3000 entry-level DSLR. The new D3100 model is designed to be approachable for new DSLR-users, and it offers full HD 1080p video recording.
Nikon D3100 entry-level DSLR
Nikon has unveiled the new D3100 digital SLR, a follow-up to the successful Nikon D3000. The D3100 boasts a number of features to make it as user-friendly as possible for novice DSLR-owners, and it can take full HD 1080p videos.
We now have a full review of the Nikon D3100 and a first look of the Nikon D5100.
Nikon D3100 first look
Nikon D3100 features and specifications
- 14.1 megapixel CMOS sensor
- EXPEED 2 image processing
- Maximum sensitivity equivalent to ISO 12,800
- Full HD 1080p video recording at 24 frames per second (fps)
- Live View 3-inch LCD screen
- Guide Mode for explaining functions
- Launch price of £499 body-only
Watch our first look video report on the new Nikon D3100 digital SLR:
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14.1Mp sensor on the Nikon D3100
The Nikon D3100 features a 14.1Mp CMOS image sensor. This is a significant resolution update from the 10Mp D3000 model.
This high resolution should give more creative potential for digitally cropping and editing your photos, and the increased level of detail should allow you to enlarge your prints to poster sizes.
In our expert lab testing, we've often found that increased megapixel counts tend to reduce the picture quality you'll get in low light situations.
The D3100 allows you to boost the sensitivity to the equivalent of 12,800 ISO, making the camera much more sensitive in low light. This will introduce a lot of graininess into your shots, but could allow you to shoot in near darkness.
We'll have a full report on the D3100's picture quality once we've put this camera through our full lab testing.
Read our expert Which? reviews of the best digital SLRs
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New Guide Mode on the Nikon D3100
The Nikon D3100 has been designed to be approachable for first-time DSLR users. To this end, Nikon has updated its Guide Mode function to make it even simpler to use than the one on the D3000 model.
By selecting the 'Guide' setting on the control dial on top of the camera, you can follow on-screen explanations of the camera's functions. The Guide Mode even provides example photos to show you the effect of changing the camera settings, easing you into the manual functions.
Alternatively, you can shoot with the camera in automatic mode to keep things simple. The D3100 features 'scene recognition', allowing the camera to judge the type of picture you are framing and adjust its settings accordingly.
The camera has specific scene settings for landscape shots, close-up photos, portraits and night portraits.
Full HD 1080p video with the Nikon D3100
The D3100 is set to be the cheapest DSLR to date to offer full HD 1080p video recording, using a frame rate of 24fps.
There's a dedicated video record button on the rear of the camera, built into a Live View toggle switch. You can turn this switch to enable the Live View LCD screen, and then press the central red record button to begin a video recording instantly.
The D3100 joins a growing crowd of DSLRs and system cameras that offer 1080p video, including the following models:
We've yet to see a digital SLR that can truly match the video performance of a top quality HD camcorder, but we'll reserve judgment on the Nikon D3100 until we've had the chance to put it through our full lab testing.
The Nikon D3100 will be available from late September 2010, with a launch price of £499 for the camera body-only. The D3100 will also be available with a packaged 18-55mm VR kit lens, priced £579.