Great value for an entry level DSLR and superb photos

Features; price

For many years Nikon has been supplying the camera market with great entry-level DSLR cameras that are very easy to use, pleasant to handle and fun to shoot with. The Nikon D3100 continues this tradition with the much-needed ability to record high-definition 1080p movies, live view mode, a better...

The Nikon D3100 is an entry-level DSLR on the higher end of that category's price range. However, it has a great set of features for a beginner photographer and decent image quality.

This review got off to a bad start: the DX format camera arrived just before a long holiday break... without...

Old-school photographers will embrace the Nikon D3100's sharp stills and classic design, but noisy video keeps it out of the big leagues with competing models.

Terrific 14.2MP stills; Noise well under control at high ISOs; Good ergonomics; menu system

Mic picks up lens noise when shooting videos; Jelly effect when panning; No USB cable supplied

The D3100 is a compact, feature-packed DSLR from Nikon. It has many useful upgrades from the existing D3000 and is looking to establish itself as the best entry-level DSLR for consumers. This review explores how good it really is, and includes some sample images to show what you can expect.

The D3100 is the latest entry-level Nikon DSLR in a line that dates back four years to the D40 and, in arguably the biggest upgrade yet, gains two key features: live view and movie recording.

Very good image quality; Unintimidating interface; but with plenty of manual control; Easily accessible Live View and Movie controls; Useful drive mode lever (unique on an SLR at this price level; Highly sophisticated AF system for the price; Easy manual selection of off-centre AF points; Unusually...

Slight tendency to overexpose in contrasty conditions; Buggy Live View / Movie Mode (movies aren't necessarily recorded at set aperture; Crude live view magnification is of little help for critical manual focus; No live histogram in live view; AF still a little sluggish in live view mode; full-time...

nice

Falling into line just above Nikon's other entry-level D3000 DSLR, the D3100 has some fresh features that make it a very attractive DLSR option for photographers who are starting out. Its notable new features include 1080p HD video, and continuous autofocus in Live View and movie modes.

Shoots HD video; Autofocus in movie and live view modes; Good image quality for the price; Intuitive controls and guide menu for beginners; Good low light abilites

Autofocus makes noise in movie mode; Fixed LCD screen; No exposure bracketing

Just a step above its other entry-level DSLR camera (the D3000), Nikon's new D3100 has some fresh features that make it a very attractive DLSR option

Shoots HD video; Autofocus in movie and live view modes; Good image quality for the price; Intuitive controls and guide

Autofocus makes noise in movie mode; Fixed LCD screen; No