Nikon D3100 DSLR

Nikon today announced the arrival of the Nikon D3100. The lightweight (454g), entry level D3100 is equipped with a 14.2 MP CMOS sensor, delivering full 1080p video capability with auto focus.

Nikon D3100 features

• D-Movie for recording and editing full-HD movies and AF-F focus mode for movie recording
• New DX-format 14.2-megapixel CMOS image sensor
• EXPEED 2, Nikon’s updated image-processing system
• Refined Guide mode
• Live View shooting Built-in scene auto selector

Here is a comparison between the Nikon D3100 and Nikon D3000.

Nikon D3100 DSLR	Nikon D3000 DSLR

Technical Specifications

Nikon D3100 DSLR	Nikon D3000 DSLR
Announced : 19-08-2010	Announced : 30-07-2009
Effective Pixels 14.2 million	Effective Pixels 10.2 million
Image Sensor Nikon DX format (23.1 x 15.4 mm) CMOS sensor	Image Sensor Nikon DX format (23.6 x 15.8mm) RGB CCD sensor
Image Size (Pixels) 4,608 x 3,072 [L], 3,456 x 2,3404 [M], 2,304 x 1,536 [S]	Image Size (Pixels) 3,872 x 2,592 [L], 2,896 x 1,944 [M], 1,936 x 1,296 [S]
Sensitivity ISO 100 to 3200 in steps of 1 EV, plus HI-1 (ISO 6400) and HI-2 (ISO 12800)	Sensitivity ISO 100 to 1600 in steps of 1 EV, plus HI-1
File Format NEF (12 bit compressed RAW); JPEG (Baseline-compliant); MOV movie (H.264/MPEG-4 compression format with monaural sound)	File Format NEF (12-bit compressed RAW), JPEG (Baseline-compliant)
Storage Media SD memory card (SDHC and SDXC compliant)	Storage Media SD memory card (SDHC compliant)
Shooting Modes 1) Single frame shooting mode, 2) Continuous shooting mode: approx. 3fps, 3) Self-timer mode, 4) Quiet Shutter Release	Shooting Modes 1) Single frame shooting mode, 2) Continuous shooting mode: approx. 3fps, 3) Self-timer mode, 4) Delayed remote mode: 2sec delay, 5) Quick-response remote mode
LCD Monitor 3.0", 230,000-dot, low-temperature polysilicon TFT LCD	LCD Monitor 3.0", 230,000-dot, low-temperature polysilicon TFT LCD
Picture Angle (in 35mm [135] format equivalent) Approx. 1.5x lens focal length	Picture Angle (in 35mm [135] format equivalent) Approx. 1.5x lens focal length
Viewfinder Frame Coverage/Magnification (with 50mm lens at infinity; -1.0 m-1) Approx. 95%/ Approx. 0.8x	Viewfinder Frame Coverage/Magnification (with 50mm lens at infinity; -1.0 m-1) Approx. 95%/ Approx. 0.8x
Autofocus TTL phase detection by Nikon Multi-CAM 1000 autofocus module with AF-assist (range approx. 0.5-3m); 11 focus point; Detection range: -1 to +19 EV (ISO 100 at 20°C/68°F)	Autofocus TTL phase detection by Nikon Multi-CAM 1000 autofocus module with AF-assist (range approx. 0.5-3m); Detection range: -1 to +19 EV (ISO 100 at 20°C/68°F)
Focus Modes 1) Autofocus (AF): Single-servo AF (AF-S); Continuous servo AF (AF-C); Auto AF-S/AF-C selection (AF-A), predictive focus tracking activated automatically according to subject status 2) Manual focus (MF) can be selected	Focus Modes 1) Autofocus (AF): Single-servo AF (AF-S); Continuous servo AF (AF-C); Auto AF-S/AF-C selection (AF-A), 2) Manual focus (MF) can be selected
Exposure Metering System 1) 3D color matrix metering Ⅱ (type G and D lenses), color matrix metering II (other CPU lenses), 2) Center-weighted (weight given to 8-mm circle in center of frame), 3) Spot metering (meters 3.5-mm circle centered on selected focus point)	Exposure Metering System 1) Scene-recognition system compatible 3D color matrix metering Ⅱ (type G and D lenses), color matrix metering II (other CPU lenses), 2) Center-weighted (weight given to 8-mm circle in center of frame), 3) Spot metering (meters 3.5-mm circle centered on selected focus point)
Exposure Control 1) Digital Vari-Program (Auto, Auto [Flash Off], Portrait, Landscape, Child, Sports, Close Up, Night Portrait), 2) Programmed Auto [P], 3) Shutter-Priority Auto [S], 4) Aperture Priority Auto [A], 5) Manual [M], 6) Guide mode	Exposure Control 1) Digital Vari-Program (Auto, Auto [Flash Off], Portrait, Landscape, Child, Sports, Close Up, Night Portrait), 2) Programmed Auto [P], 3) Shutter-Priority Auto [S], 4) Aperture Priority Auto [A], 5) Manual [M], 6) Guide mode
Shutter Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal plane shutter, 30 to 1/4000sec in steps of 1/3 EV plus bulb	Shutter Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal plane shutter, 30 to 1/4000sec in steps of 1/3 EV plus bulb, Time (Optional Wireless Remote Control ML-L3 required
Sync Contact X-contact only; flash synchronization at up to 1/200 sec	Sync Contact X-contact only; flash synchronization at up to 1/200 sec
Flash Control 1) TTL: i-TTL balanced fill-flash and standard i-TTL flash for digital SLR using 420-pixel RGB sensor are available with built-in flash and SB-900, SB-800, SB-600, or SB-400, 2) Auto aperture: Available with SB-900 or SB-800 and CPU lens, 3) Non-TTL auto: Supported flash units include SB-900, SB-800, SB-28, SB-27, and SB-22S, 4) Distance-priority manual: Available with SB-900 and SB-800	Flash Control 1) i-TTL flash control by 420-segment RGB sensor; i-TTL balanced fill-flash for digital SLR, standard i-TTL flash for digital SLR
Flash Sync Modes 1) Front-curtain sync, 2) Red-eye reduction, 3) Slow sync with red-eye reduction, 4) Slow sync, 5) rear-curtain sync	Flash Sync Modes 1) Front-curtain sync, 2) Red-eye reduction, 3) Slow sync with red-eye reduction, 4) Slow sync, 5) rear-curtain sync.
Power Requirements Rechargeable EN-EL14 Li-ion battery, EH-5a AC adapter (available separately; requires optional EP-5A power connector )	Power Requirements Rechargeable EN-EL9a Li-ion battery, EH-5a AC adapter (available separately; requires optional EP-5 AC adapter connector; EN-EL9 also supported)
Battery Life (on a fully charged battery) Approx. 550 shots	Battery Life (on a fully charged battery) Approx. 510 shots
Dimensions Approx. 124 x 96 x 74.5 mm	Dimensions Approx. 126 × 97 × 64 mm
Weight (without battery, memory card or body cap) Approx. 455g	Weight (without battery, memory card or body cap) Approx. 485g
Other Features Expeed 2 Image Processing Engine, Graphical User Interface, Guide Mode, D-Movie (Full HD recording), Full-time servo AF (AF-F) movie recording	Other Features Retouch menu, Info Display on LCD monitor, Intergrated Dust Reductions System, Graphic User Interface, Guide Mode

ISO test shots by Manfred Bachmann.

Nikon D3100, ISO1600, 1/80s f/5.6 @ 55.0mm. Click image for the full size.

Nikon D3100, ISO3200, 1/200s f/5.6 @ 55.0mm. Click image for the full size.

Where can I find the equipment seen on this site?

If you find this site useful and planning to purchase any of the equipment seen on this site, please show your support by purchasing your photo equipment at B&H Photo Video or through any of the affiliate links seen on this site.

• Nikon DSLR D3100
• Nikon DSLR D3000