Nikon's D3100 is the company's latest entry-level DSLR. Announced in August 2010, it's the successor the best-selling D3000 and makes several key upgrades to that model. Most notably the new D3100 now features Live View and video recording facilities – indeed it becomes the first Nikon DSLR (hotly...

14 Megapixel sensor with great quality; Friendly goal-oriented GUIDE mode; 1080p HD video with autofocusing; Decent metering and 11-point AF system

Relatively expensive for an entry-level DSLR; Continuous AF in movies can be slow and noisy; No bracketing; DOF preview or AF with non AF-S lenses; Changing multiple settings requires many clicks

Absolutely superb image quality, a top video mode and great handling make this a deserving award winner

Oct 26th. We have now had the opportunity to review the Nikon D3100 and have included a gallery of Nikon D3100 SLR sample images taken with the Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR zoom standard kit lens. The Nikon D3100 is a successor to the popular Nikon D3000 introduced last year.

Nikon D3100 Review - The Nikon D3100 looks to raise the bar for entry-level DSLRs. But just how good is it? What Digital Camera's Nikon D3100 review digs below the surface to try and find out...

Guide mode; featured specification

Price; no DoF preview; no focus switch

Here we test the new D3100 entry-level Nikon DSLR with a new 14.2 megapixel sensor, Live View and a full HD 1920x1080 / 1080p, 24fps video recording.

14.2 megapixel sensor with low noise; Lowest price DSLR with full HD Video; Very good ISO performance; Good battery life; Excellent video; Easy to use with built in guide; Quiet shutter – with additional quiet live view option

Only autofocuses with AF-S lenses; Continuous shooting not available with flash; 3fps continuous shooting beginning to look dated

In short, the Nikon D3100 is an excellent entry-level camera. The only real detraction from this camera is the crippled video capture mode, which fails to completely serve the needs of the consumer (no reliable autofocus) or enthusiast (no manual exposure controls) as a video camera.

The Nikon D3100 is an entry-level digital SLR camera boasting a newly designed 14-megapixel DX format sensor, a quick-access Live View mode, one-touch Full HD video recording with autofocus, plus an interactive Guide mode, a sensor dust buster and an 11-point autofocus module.

If you're looking for really awesome, professional riding pics, this is the camera for you. If you're not a photographer, DSLR cameras are hard to use. As there is a learning curve, The D3100 does have a guide mode that helps you set the camera up for the best results, making easier than most DSLRs.

Incredible pictures; easy to use DSLR; guide mode; unbelievable HD video

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...

In summation then, the D3100 feels solidly constructed when gripped in the palm, is fast and responsive, and is capable of some sharp and colourful results thanks to combination of sensor and supplied 18-55mm test lens and is fairly priced.