This is a short review of my Nikon DSLR cameras most popular beginner class, which the D3100 that was originally introduced in August 2010. Products that now already in best price (about $ 476.95 including the kit lens 18-55mm VR) is a falsified product since the era previous DSLR D40, D60 to D3000. This time I had the opportunity to try this camera for a while, and following a brief review to share with you.

D3100 is the result of a long evolution of Nikon DSLR in realizing the ideal approached. Since the success of the D40 in 2007, Nikon is rather lazy to create surprise and likely to continue the D40 with a product that is almost similar, the D40x and D60. Even today introduced the D3000, Nikon does not want to provide live view feature, let alone movie mode. D3000 only surprise by implanting AF module, with 11 points (like the D5000) and features 3D tracking AF, and the LCD screen a little better. Is it enough? Of course, this is not enough. With the presence of the D3000, like repeating the story of a failing funeral D60, D3000 also have achieved the worst Nikon DSLR version of Ken Rockwell. Aware of this, Nikon finally in late 2010 and launched the D3100 with important changes such as:

• Provide features live view and full HD movie
• Change from CCD to CMOS sensor
• Increase the resolution of 10 MP to 14 MP
• Raise the maximum ISO of 1600 to 3200
• Added a drive mode useful levers (including Quiet Shutter Release)
• Using second-generation EXPEED processor

Nikon still maintaining all the good stuff is on the D3000 as 11-point AF and Guide Mode to help beginners use the camera and to get good results. From the dimensions and shape of the D3100 camera body, remains relatively the same as the D3000 to D40, which includes a small, and lightweight.

Before examining further, here I present the first complete specification Nikon D3100:

• 14 MP CMOS sensor (23.2 x 15.5 mm) 
• Live View
• Continuous AF in video mode / live view
• LCD 3-inch 230k pixel resolution
• ISO 100 - 3200, plus Hi-1 (ISO 6400 equivalent) and Hi-2 (ISO 12800 equivalent)
• Flash sync 1/200 sec
• 11 point AF (multi-CAM 1000 module)
• 420-pixel RGB 3D Color Matrix II metering sensor
• HD Video 1920 x 1080p 24 fps and 1280 x 720p 30 fps fps/24
• AVCHD video codec (H.264), HDMI out
• EXPEED2 processor
• Users can change and save a profile picture
• Video editing in the camera
• 3 fps burst
• GPS port

 

 

This is the Nikon D3100 looks forward with a detachable lens. As with any all Nikon digital SLR cameras, the lens from the camera holder is of type F-mount Nikon lenses, which means all of the time 50 years ago could be installed in on D3100. Nevertheless, whoa, despite that fact with the affairs of auto focus, as shown in the image above, there is no screwdriver (screwdriver) a prominent on the lens mount that is useful to rotate the lens focal length Nikon. This is because Nikon does not provide a motors specific focus on the camera body to be able to auto focus lenses need coded AF-S, which already has motor itself in it.

 

When viewed from the rear, 3-inch LCD screen seemed to dominate although still proportional layout of buttons. Just like other DSLR, Nikon provides only one wheel on the back to change the value of shutter, aperture and so on. However, of the button at the back the camera, there is a special distinction attributes belonging only to D3100 (though ultimately applied on the Nikon D7000) is a lever / lever for live view. It uses spring-loaded lever, so when moved to the right with the thumb, will turn around again to the left. Slide lever that there is only one way to enter the live view mode and further when you want to record video just hit the red button located in the middle of the live view lever. In live view mode, the mirror raised automatically, the LCD screen displays the image exactly as wearing non-DSLR cameras. Live view mode will stop automatically when there is no activity within 30 seconds, or we go to menu playback or live view lever must be is shifted back. On the right side lever live view, there is a little the rubber layers become the foundation of thumb when holding the camera with one hand.

D3100 once again broke new ground by providing a drive mode lever as shown in the picture above. Drive mode selector is useful to determine whether we want to wear a single shot (S), continuous shot (3 frames per second), self-timer or the Quiet Shutter (shutter sound is rather more slowly). Nikon put this lever with intelligent, on the right side of the dial models that are easily accessible using the index finger, right hand.

  

On the left side of the Nikon D3100 camera body, there is a rubber cover that when opened will look different ports such as GPS units, HDMI, USB and AV. The presence of a GPS port and an HDMI port is the port newest the Nikon D3100, which is deserves thumbs up. By installing a GPS receiver, a photo taken can be equipped with latitude and longitude coordinates or fancy term is geotagging.

To the left of the screen line up five buttons that can be accessed wear the left thumb, which Playback (to see the results of the photo), MENU (to get into all the camera settings), Zoom (zoom here meant to look more closely at the photos that have been taken) and INFO (also serves to enter the quick menu).
On the left front (near the lens) there are two button namely to open the flash and the FN key. Through the menu, the FN key is usually, used for a variety of settings such as ISO and WB.

The menu and screen display

On the mode dial Nikon D3100, there are options Program exposure mode (P), Aperture Priority (A), Shutter Priority (S) and Manual (M). There was also the Auto mode and various scene modes such as portrait, landscape and so forth. However, unique to the Nikon D3100 also provides a Guide Mode to help beginners (because that camera is practically suitable for beginners), which provides guidance and options to get the photos you want.

We review the Guide Mode, and display other menu appear on the LCD screen measuring 3 inches.

 

Guide Mode starts with are three basic choices namely whether we want to photograph, see the result of an image or set parameters.

As an example after I entered to the Shoot menu, then select advanced operation, you can see there are many options like the picture above. Variety of needs that provided in these options, such as creating a blurry background, freeze motion and so forth. To select use the 4-way control button and then by pressing the right key will enter into a fuller explanation as shown below.

Although informative, the Guide Mode is actually be ignored because the Nikon D3100 has been provide a range exposure settings and with a little practice it is sufficient to wear modes P, A, S or M we can get the optimal result.

  

LCD display by default typical Nikon will look like the picture above. There are a variety of camera settings, shutter and aperture information, indicators point AF and illustrations of the aperture diaphragm.

A quite privileged from Nikon D3100 is the freedom to set the Picture Control like the picture above. Available various styles that have been is set from the factory such as Standard, Neutral, Vivid and so forth. If you want, any style, can be arranged more parameters such as sharpness, contrast, brightness and color saturation. Thus, any ownership Nikon D3100 can store styles to suit different tastes.

  

One of useful feature is the Auto ISO settings, which allow us determine of several ISO maximum allowed when the lighting conditions are too low, then the shutter speed is limited before this feature started working. This feature when activated will remain active in Manual mode, so that whether this will help or interfere naturally different for each person.

The picture above shows what will appear on the LCD screen when entered into live view mode? In general, the view on the screen is quite clear, bright and natural with various indicators to enliven display screen. When the indicator is annoying, simply press the INFO button and the screen will be clean of the various codes and numbers. Press INFO once again will bring up a grid to assist composition. Unfortunately, there is no live histogram display during live view on the Nikon D3100.

Unlike when in playback mode, where the histogram can be displayed even when you want, RGB histogram can also be set in the menu. Example image above shows the camera in playback mode to display information such as the row of exposure, focal lens, as well as the date and time resolution.

Performance of at large

Although quite cheap and aimed at beginners, the Nikon D3100 is not cheapo camera. Performance of this camera is quite fast, from turned on up to ready to take pictures, shutter lag, shot to shot everything feels fast. If that makes long, it is because we set features dust reduction turned on when the camera powered on. There by if camera turns on the sensor will work for a while to do the cleaning, and it could make us lose the moment when there is of unexpected events.

The ability to auto focus Nikon D3100 is excellent; with high flexibility thanks to the 11 AF, points can also select manually or automatically. Nikon D3100 can also recognize objects from its color so that it can follow movement of the object and keep the best focus, even though the object moves to the left and right or forward and back, thanks to the 3D tracking AF feature. However, when live view mode, the ability to slow down because the D3100 auto focus switch wearing contrast detection method so that slow in finding and locking the focus. Nevertheless, in live view mode has features face detection to optimize focus on human faces locked.

The quality of the video recording capability Nikon D3100 already the standard with a maximum resolution capability is 1920 x 1080 pixels 24 fps are compressed wearing MPEG-4 H.264 with a maximum duration of 10 minutes. Nikon D3100, a DSLR first in the world, capable of auto focus and continuous focus while recording video. However, in practice this feature makes the focus is lost but the noise is still audible when playing back video. For that, a lens supports this feature with focal high-quality motors.

Disadvantages of the Nikon D3100

Disadvantages of the Nikon D3100 is the most real nothing bracketing feature, which is somewhat surprise among a line of advanced features it has. Bracketing able to take three photos with a difference exposures, useful if we take a picture with high contrast and want to pick one picture with the best exposure. Bracketing is also necessary to combine images, and then created digital HDR.

Result of the photo

Result images become the main thing in like many people while reading a review. However, I am sorry not to talk much about the quality of the photos from the camera Nikon D3100. That is why I say this is a short review. The first reason is that I do not have much time to try a variety of locations to test it, including at various ISO values. The second reason is that I believe the modern DSLR already has the photos that are just as good, considering the size of the APS-C sensor already has a standard of quality  

with a noise that is still acceptable up to ISO 1600. Let alone Nikon D3100 camera is equipped with Active D-Lighting (ADL) to increase the dynamic range in the form of high contrast.

For that I just examples a photograph taken during the day at the home page and one photo taken at dusk.

Sample photos at dusk / low light

Conclusion

I conclude that the Nikon D3100 is the best DSLR ever made by Nikon in the beginner’s class. Though not perfect, the Nikon D3100 has met the expectations of all starters with a combination of price, features, performance, outcomes and sizes are very comparable. The ability of the video camera Nikon D3100 is actually a gift, but this gift is special because it supports full HD 1080p.

Though not as sophisticated as other more expensive DSLR, the Nikon D3100 can give as good outcomes thanks to the photo sensor resolution of 14 MP and features of ADL. To get the picture better, the Nikon D3100 can also paired with expensive lenses and an external flash. A disadvantage of the Nikon D3100 from the LCD screen resolution is less sharp for the generation of cameras in 2010.

Forget this camera if you are not satisfied with the performance of 3 fps burst, or is necessary bracketing feature or have a lot of old Nikon lenses coded AF or AF-D. Nevertheless, if you are a beginner and want to have a DSLR camera, with a limited budget, however do not want one in determining the right choice, I am sure the Nikon D3100 will make you feel satisfied.

Here are some options for Nikon D3100 Best Buy you can buy:

Description	Review	Buy Now
Nikon D3100 14.2MP Digital SLR Camera Nikon D3100 14.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens	Read More	$476.95
Nikon D3100 Digital SLR Camera & 18-55mm VR Lens with 16GB Nikon D3100 Digital SLR Camera & 18-55mm VR Lens with 16GB Card + Filter + Case + Accessory Kit	Read More	$489.95
Nikon D3100 Nikon D3100 Digital SLR Camera & 18-55mm VR + 55-200mm VR Lens with 16GB Card + Filters + Case + Accessory Kit	Read More	$629.95