Nikon D3100 14.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Auto Focus-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens - International Version (No Warranty)

The Nikon D3100 is an excellent entry-level DSLR. Could you pay more to get a "better" camera with "more features"? Absolutely. But why? Would you use those features? I looked long and hard at several in my research before buying - the models I considered were the Canon T2i, Canon 60D, the Nikon D90, and of course, the Nikon D3100. In the end, I decided the extra features on those other cameras were features that I likely wouldn't use. I'm interested mainly in taking lots of pictures while traveling -- pictures of clouds, landscapes, maybe some street photography. I wanted a smaller, lighter DSLR with good battery life and great image quality. The D3100 delivers on all accounts. So what do the cameras in the next price-tier have that the D3100 doesn't? A lot of stuff that most people looking in this price range won't be concerned with. Here's a list of the "missing" things and/or "problems" with the D3100 as I found while researching my purchase: 1) Most online reviews and forums mention a problem with AutoISO and the built-in flash. When using the built-in flash in full auto, AutoISO jumps straight to the maximum ISO value, which I believe is defaulted to ISO-3200. Nikon says this is intended to get a better exposed background, fine with me. Personally, I think that ISO-3200 images out of this camera are very useable unless you're pixel peeping. If you just want to blow up an indoor portrait to an 8x10 (or even larger, I don't know!), you won't have a problem. Don't worry about it! 2) You can frequently hear the lens auto-focusing in your videos. Ok, you got me. If you're in a silent environment, yes, you will hear the autofocus motor, but if you're recording kids laughing and having a good time at the local indoor waterpark or at a parade or something, it's not loud enough where it would be a bother. If it is an annoyance, you can still shoot video with manual focus. 3) No external mic input. The D3100 is sufficient for getting a clip when you want it, you're not going to have movie quality sound. Who carries an external mic with them on vacation? If you're buying a DSLR specifically for video capabilities, you probably should be considering a dedicated camcorder anyway. For my purposes, there's nothing wrong with mono sound. 4) Lack of bracketing -- too much to explain in a review. Google it and see if you would ever use it. I can see why it would be useful, but I doubt it'd be useful for on-the-go photography. 5) Manual settings buried in menus instead of having dedicated buttons -- Most people at the entry-level probably aren't shooting full manual. The D3100 features several "scene" modes that you can use, otherwise there's always aperture or shutter priority, or even full auto. Depending on which priority you're in, the scroll wheel on the back will adjust the aperture or shutter speed. If you shoot full manual all the time, you may want dedicated buttons, meaning you should look elsewhere. If you're not in full manual, I can't see this being a problem. 6) Lack of built-in flash commander mode -- you can't trigger an off camera flash using your built-in flash. Some DSLR's have built-in flashes with this capability, the D3100 does not. For travel photography, this isn't an issue. For most at-home photography, this isn't an issue. It could be for macro photography depending how close to your subject you are, or if you have a full studio with multiple flashes setup in your basement. If you decide at a later point you want this capability, some external flashes such as the Nikon SB-700 can function as a commander. Otherwise, you can use whatever external flash you wish in conjunction with the SC-28 or SC-29 cord inthe D3100's hotshoe. 7) Perhaps the biggest potential problem with the D3100 is the lack of a built in focusing motor. This means the D3100 will not autofocus with plain AF lenses (manual still works though). Any lenses with the AF-S designation will auto-focus just fine. This can be costly though - on some of the higher-end lenses, the difference can be $600 or more between the AF and AF-S version of the same lens. Again, this comes down to "what will you use it for?" For this, I go back here: If this is a problem, you shouldn't be looking at an entry level DSLR anyway. Nikon ships the D3100 with the 18-55mm AF-S VR lens, offers a very affordable 55-200mm AF-S VR telephoto, and my personal favorite, the 35mm f/1.8 AF-S lens. The 55-200 can be had for under $100 if you catch a sale or rebate, and the 35mm can be had for under $200. These three lenses will cover most of the needs for entry-level photographers, and all three of them auto-focus on the D3100. By the time we as amateur photographers outgrow this setup, we will know specifically what focal lengths we primarily use in order to make a more educated purchase for the expensive lenses later on. And I'm convinced, when that time comes, you'll have your eye on the latest and greatest prosumer DSLR to go with your fancy new lens anyway. Until then, enjoy the D3100 for what it is. A great, inexpensive, entry-level DSLR, which, in my opinion, produces excellent images when in the hands of a photographer ready to learn!

Before people start freaking out I am not comparing this to a Canon 1DX when I mention "PRO" in the review title, rather, that I use this consumer targeted camera for a very specific professional task. I own 4 of these "kits", basically the D3100 and the 18-55 lens. My company does high volume photography, mostly sports, schools and events (we will photograph over 90,000 kids this year) and I thought I would give these a shot to see how they would hold up for some of my basic sports portraits shoots and I am pleasantly surprised. Make note of the word PORTRAITS after sports, we do not use these for action. I actually compared this, side by side, shot by shot with the Canon T2i when deciding which way to go since I was going to be purchasing so many of them. It was actually a pretty big decision since I was deciding on a Nikon camera when my personal camera is a Canon 7D. When comparing the 2 cameras I literally set them up on tripods right next to each other, took shots in the exact same settings, conditions, etc. First, I compared everything in Manual mode, then I let the camera do the work in Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority and full Program Mode. Without running through every single shot I can simply say the Nikon D3100 beat the Canon t2i, much to my surprise. This was a VERY close comparison and, in the end, the price of the Nikon helped tip the scale in that direction. Image Quality The D3100 wins here. How, you say, is that possible? The Canon is 18 megapixel and the Nikon is only 14.2...true, but Nikon has a secret weapon, the 18-55 lens! Believe it or not, the 18-55 Nikon lens, the KIT lens that comes on this camera and many others, is actually one of the sharpest images Nikon makes. I wouldn't believe it if I hadn't taken hundreds of shots, blown them up to 100% and compared them side by side. Now, if you are looking for something where you plan to change lenses from time to time, then the Canon is the better choice. However, in the case of my very specific needs, where I will never need to change out the lens on this camera because it is for sports portrait shoots only, you cannot beat the D3100. I actually chose the Canon for another area of my business out of state where I needed more durability and flexibility...more on that in another review. As with any product, it will ultimately boil down to how you plan to use it. If you are a consumer who is just getting into Digital SLR cameras, this is a great way to start. It is cheap and it takes great images. It has video, which is nice, although I do not use it so I can't give an in depth review of that functionality. Make sure that you get the kit with the 18-55 lens though, that makes a big difference in image quality. It also has a great little feature that would be really helpful to beginners trying to understand how Aperture works. It has a little animation on the LCD screen that shows an actual camera iris opening or closing as you adjust the aperture, which is helpful for beginners trying to understand the lower number being a bigger aperture concept. So, to sum it up: PROS: Price: You can't beat it, if you watch Amazon closely you will be able to catch it in the $500 range or maybe a bit less if you are lucky Image Quality: Really amazing image quality WITH the 18-55 lens especially. Good for Beginners: Has some really good tutorials to help beginners understand the basics of DSLR. Great "Auto" settings: Produces really nice images on many of the standard settings for Shutter and Aperture Priority and full Program. (although I recommend to beginners to try to learn how to shoot in Manual mode at least to understand how it works and NEVER use any of the silly settings like "Sports" or the other ones.) CONS: Not very tough: It feels a lot cheaper than the Canon Really small: It looks ridiculous with an SB900 flash on it! (This is a con for me but might be a pro for others) Overall, I definitely recommend it for a beginner or someone with a very specific professional need like I have. It earns 5 stars for how I use it.

The specification is in the product listing for everyone see, so I won't review that, other than to say that this camera is a good specification for the price. I'll aim this review towards detailing my experience with using this camera. People looking at this model are likely comparing it to the similarly priced Canon model. Both brands are quite comparable, so at this level of the market it is really a matter of personal preference as to which brand you choose - and the current deals and discounts on offer. I choose the Nikon D3100 camera with the kit 18-55mm lens over the Canon model because I got a large discount off the second lens I wanted - the 55-200mm. (I see now that Amazon sells the camera with this lens in addition to the 18-55mm as an option, but this wasn't an option back when I bought then.) I thought with these two lenses I would have an adequate kit to get started in DSLR photography, although either a 35mm or 50mm prime FX lens is next on my wishlist. (FX lenses work fine on a DX body such as the D3100, although with a 1.5x effective focal length boost so I can somewhat future proof my lens purchases in the event I eventually upgrade to a better camera body.) I bought my camera and lenses back in April 2013 and decided to use it for several months before I reviewed them. I was heading on a trip a month later that I wanted this camera to accompany me on, and also wanted time to get to grips with the step up from many years of just using point and shoots before I offered a public opinion. I had wanted a DSLR for years, but couldn't justify the cost to myself, (I have kids and feel guilty spending money on myself), and so I had already read several books that explained the science of taking photos in a fully manual mode with a DSLR but I had never so much as picked up a DSLR before buying one. From using both film camera and digital point and shoots I was already fairly experienced and proficient in the composition aspect of taking a photo as well as in using image processing software such as Lightroom, Photoshop (Elements) and Paint Shop Pro to improve my photos. Of course, with a point and shoot or a scanned film photo I was forced to edit lossy JPG files - and now with a DSLR I can process native RAW files, (.NEF format on the Nikon), and the results from this change alone are phenomenal! I was amazed by just how much detail can be found in a RAW file using Adobe Lightroom 5 from what looks like a flat white or black area in an over/under exposed area. I'll never shoot in JPEG again if I have an option to shoot in a native RAW format. When I had received the camera I read the manual from cover to cover while the battery fully charged. I then jumped in my car and headed off on a drive to somewhere fairly scenic but local(ish) to test out my new purchase. I was determined that I would rarely use the fully AUTO mode unless I wanted to take an unplanned rush shot of something I'd miss photographing otherwise. My several hours that day out taking photos was a very educational (and fun) time for me, and certainly cemented my enthusiasm to learn more about photography that I had hoped I would have when taking the jump up to a DSLR. I toyed around taking photos of things with differing apertures in Aperture Priority mode until I was comfortable controlling the depth of field, (as best I could with the kit lens.) took photos of things both close, and the mountains far away, at varying focal lengths, confirming for myself various aspects of photography I had read so much about but hadn't been able to practice and experiment with before fully, (e.g. bringing the background scenery closer while keeping a foreground subject a constant size.) Back home that evening I went out in the back yard and mounted my new camera on an old tripod I have with the 55-200mm lens and took photos of the moon and my house in the dark until I better understood shutter speed settings and how different ISO settings affect the photos I take. Again, this was all stuff I'd read about, but never really fully had practical experience with regard to my own photographs before. My kids were also willing models so I could experiment with portraiture.photos using different settings until I achieved the effects I wanted or could achieve with just the kit lens and it's lack of a large aperture (small f-stop). Over the next few weeks before the family trip I planned to take this DSLR on with me, I picked the camera up and experimented daily. I took better photos every day and started to instinctively know what settings to use in full manual mode - my first guesses became increasingly correct, or were otherwise a pretty good starting point to fine tune when I had set the camera incorrectly for the conditions or photo I wanted. This is a tremendous camera to learn with and takes fabulous photos. My family went on the trip overseas. I took close to 3000 photos in the weeks we were traveling. Granted, I used the camera in a continuous shooting mode almost exclusively -- taking several photos of the same scene to try to guarantee a good shot - especially when photographing movement or people, so the total figure was bumped up somewhat. If I'm taking photos left, right and center, I do now cheat a little and use Aperture Priority mode quite a lot so I just control the depth of field and let the camera do most of the rest, (although I retain control of the ISO as the camera seems to do a poor job in auto mode sometimes.) If I am planning a photo that I want to be proud of, I will still switch to full manual mode for the satisfaction that I am "making" a photo rather than just "taking" a photo. Oftentimes though, when out and about, one of the semi-manual modes (Shutter Priority or Aperture Priority modes) are all that is required to get the shot wanted and are a time-saver to use. Okay, I admit it - I sometimes use Auto-mode now too... I hope others decide to take the plunge from a point-and-shoot camera to a DSLR and ignite a similar passion for photography. I'm very happy with my purchase.

I recently purchased the D3100 and have taken some shots in a variety of conditions. I have not yet had the opportunity to dive into the full feature set. Initial impressions: Pros: Very nice image quality (my primary concern), easy to use, includes reasonable editing software. Cons: Nikon is bit stingy when packing the box (no USB cable, no memory card at all); no exposure bracketing feature. So far, I have been very pleased with the images coming from the D3100. The colors are true and vibrant. It handles light and shadow well. The captured detail is impressive. I haven't "pushed" this camera yet with higher ISO shots or other more demanding techniques / settings however, I suspect that many of this camera's users, if not most, will not have the need or desire to wander too far away from the "Auto" setting, which does a very capable job in variety of conditions. The flash works well with the camera and there is a minimum of the "over exposed" or "glare" look that is commonly seen in family flash photography. This camera at its most basic level is dead simple to use: point and shoot. The camera may look intimidating to those who haven't previously used a full featured film camera or a DSLR but, pick it up, set it to "Auto", snap a few frames and you'll both feel much more comfortable with it and intrigued to learn more about its other capabilities. This camera is targeted for the entry DSLR market and anyone moving up from a compact point-and-shoot camera will immediately recognize the difference in image quality. The Nikon software was also easy to use and can really bring out the impact in your shots. The software installed without problem on my mac. Through the software, I was able to pull additional depth and detail from the initial captured image (I used RAW format for capturing). I did use the default JPEG as well and I doubt that many family photographers will have any complaint with those images. Again, the various sliders and options in the software can seem daunting at first, but you will be rewarded by playing around with settings (you won't ruin anything). As mentioned previously, through the software, I was able to take some images that would have been OK and make them compelling. I am not saying that they will be hanging in a gallery soon, just that they are far more visually interesting than they were and with a minimal amount of effort. The images included people, nature, indoors and out. I am not completely sold on the auto focusing, especially when the subject is in motion. I haven't used it enough in these circumstances to fairly comment, just something that has initially popped up as an item to explore further. For the record, the images in question seemed sharp though not quite what I had anticipated. It is too early to hang AF from my uses, though. I have not used (and have no immediate intention of using) the video feature. I have a video camera that shoots video well. Personally, I'd rather have additional still features (auto bracketing) than video. I understand that there may be a desire to pack everything within one device from a marketing perspective. However, I am of the mind that a device ought to focus on its primary mission and forgo additive items that it does less well. I have no understanding of why Nikon would not include a USB cable to connect the camera to your computer. Fortunately, the cable is not proprietary and I was able to reuse an existing cable from another camera. How exactly does Nikon propose that you transfer your images from the camera to your machine for use with the included Nikon software? That just doesn't make sense when the cable that I reused came included with a camera that cost $400 less than the D3100. Overall, I am very happy with the image quality (which makes the omission of bracketing even more noticeable), the ease of use, and the included software. I would have liked a starter memory card in the box and am really surprised that it did not include a USB cable. The price for value relationship needs some improvement, though the product itself is solid. This would be a good way to get into the DSLR segment for those moving up from compact point and shoot.

This Nikon D3100 is a phenomenal deal for non professionals, the rest of us people that want to take family and travel shots. I've owned DSLRs since 2004, starting with a Nikon D70 and then moving to D40, D200 and

Purchased this thinking I would use the video option to produce great videos. With the ISO on auto the dusk video is super grainy and lacking in resolution. The megapixels only at 14 seem to leave a lot to be desired also. Granted I'm not a professional photographer or film maker but I was thinking this camera would take away a lot of the guess work. It's ok, but I probably should have saved the extra $100 and gotten the D3200. I used to own a T2i and the D3100 is not quite as good as that one in my opinion. At least I bought used I guess. I've seen some great videos with the D3100 but so far mine seem lacking. It has great functionality as far as the options on the camera itself. It is a really fun camera to work with, however the megapixels are just so low it's really hard to get decent shots wit this camera. If the lighting is perfect then you can get some fair quality shots with it (I'm using the kit lens btw), but again the resolution is just too low to really get much defintion in your shots. I really like this camera, but it's just not high enough picture quality. I should be ordering a new lens sooner or later in the next few months and we'll see what kind of difference that will make ultimately. I have always liked Nikon (used to own a D70) quality and I think the picture character is unique with Nikons but this is just too low of picture resolution to be any good for much of anything. I get decent shots every 10-20 tries, but it's a lot of work with the kit lens and lighting has to be perfect. Mostly same goes for the video aspects. Again, I always thought Nikons were unique in their own way and I like Nikon, but the quality of video lacks. If the lighting is really good then you can get some decent film, but nothing to write home about. We'll see how well the quality changes after I get a new lens. The kit lens is very basic and just kind of lacking in desire with what you can get out of it. The picture is bland and doesn't stand out even at 24 FPS. There is no 30fps or 60fps and the ISO stops at 3200 I believe. So low light is very difficult and you lose a great deal of quality. With that said, I think you can get some great stuff with this camera, it's just hard to get the right scenes given it's lack of resolution and description ultimately. Hopefully a new lens will make it a lot better, but the stuff I've got so far is not at all close to what I've seen in youtube videos, granted they are using higher quality lenses most likely as well as post production editing software, of which I lack currently. All in all I would advise anyone to save up their money and get a more expensive Nikon or Canon. As they say- you get what you pay for. This will do for absolute beginners as the lowest price is probably the least expensive on the market at $225. But another $100 for a newer model is probably well worth it. I will most likely be re-selling this one and going for a new model. But first I'll wait for the new lens. Ultimately fun to play around with and I'm genuinely impressed with all the on-board options available on this camera. Great stuff to learn on and play around with, but the picture and video quality just don't make the cut for anything more than a novice producer.

Quite a number of years ago I had experience with 35mm SLRs, and just didn't have patience to wait several days for my photos to be processed. Over the past 6 months I was casually reviewing options for DSLR cameras. I wanted the ability to take photos of fast moving objects and to generally take "better" photos than standard point-and-shoot cameras. I looked at several Nikon and Canon "entry" DSLRs. Specifically I looked at the Nikon D3000 and D5000 - the D3000 had poor reviews on several photography sites. The D5000 seemed to be more than a "starter" camera, and more camera than I needed. I briefly looked at the Canon, however based on previous experience I didn't care for their menu system. I've now had the D3100 for several weeks and am completely satisfied. I took the camera on a family trip and was able to take exceptional photos essentially "out of the box". For a DSLR beginner (or SLR for that matter) the guide mode is fantastic. Guide Mode walks you through "English" (or your native language) menus of the type of picture you want to take. Once in guide mode, you aren't locked into preset settings (Aperture and ISO) you can customize these further - again using language descriptions of what you want to accomplish. This capability, combined with the scene modes (portrait, landscape, kids, etc) and full programming modes should last most beginners (like me) for quite a while. Pros: - Excellent pictures (duh) - great battery life (full day, 200+ shots) - light weight, lighter than the D5000 Cons/FYI: These aren't necessarily negatives about the camera or kit, just more of general FYIs: - Short focal length lens. The 18-55 lens is common on most kits and works fine for indoor or wide-angle shots. However you'll quickly want to add a lens that will focus out beyond the 55mm capability. I purchased the 55-200 Nikon VR lens and am completely satisfied. Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED IF AF-S DX VR [Vibration Reduction] Nikkor Zoom Lens - No SD card included. I purchased the Transcend 8GB class 10 card and so far it has worked flawlessly. Transcend 8GB Class 10 SDHC Card (TS8GSDHC10) - You'll need a camera bag/case. I would recommend skipping the Nikon starter bag as it is only useful if you intend to carry your camera kit like a briefcase. If you're going to be on the move, look into a camera backpack. I picked up the Lowepro Fastpack 100. It stores the camera, extra lens and still has room for several small items. If you need to carry a tripod, you may need something bigger. Lowepro Fastpack 100 (Red)

For many years, I used a Nikon FG, which was a mid-level camera. Took great pictures if you knew what you were doing, but of course it was a film camera. Then came digital cameras. For the last 10 years, I was basically using point and shoot cameras, which were great for general landscapes. No longer being interested in standing in darkrooms inhaling photo processing chemicals, I opted for a digital SLR where I could do any further processing on the computer. As a birthday gift to myself, I got the Nikon D3100. Took it out the first few days and achieved less than thrilling results; my point & shoots gave me better pictures. So I took a look at the manual which helped only marginally. I don't think it was orginally written in English and may have lost some in the translation. Common sense told me that Nikon couldn't have put out a $500+ camera that only takes so-so pictures. I looked on Amazon and found 3 books written especially for this camera, and I bought one. Nikon D3100 Digital Field Guide . Going over just the first few chapters of this book made a huge difference. I'm now getting incredible images. My problem was that photography had progressed immensely while I was playing around with the point & shoots. This camera takes advantage of these new advances, plus it sounds like it's made a few advances of its own. It's a very sophisticated camera, but it's also initially complicated, and there is a learning curve. The book explains the camera in detail using plain English, and as a result I'm learning a lot about the camera and about digital photography in general, even though I thought I knew a lot. I am only now beginning to appreciate this camera. It provides you with an incredible amount of control, from very subtle to blatantly obvious. The display on the back of the camera provides technical information, easy to use menus, and allows you to zoom in on the images to make sure they are in focus and to check on exposure of details or shadows. The 18-55mm lens included in the kit is great except that the maximum aperature opening is 3.5 (I was used to 1.8 on my old Nikon). The auto focusing gives you many options, and when used correctly, the focusing is perfect and sharp. As with all autofocus lenses, the manual focusing is touchy and not at all like the old manual lenses, however, I've really not had much need to focus manually, so it's not much of an issue. Although it can be used as such, it's not a point & shoot camera, and therefore it is somewhat bulky. And unlike my old FG, it's mostly plastic. I think that's life nowdays; plastic is king. The neckstrap is kind of cheesy. The camera kit comes with a battery (I might get a second in case, but I'm surprised at how long it does last), and a plug-in charger. Included in the box is software for manipulating your pictures on the computer. I haven't installed this yet because I use Adobe Photoshop Elements 9 (Win/Mac) , although at some point I may try it just for fun. There is also another disk which is an extended version of the printed manual; basically it suffers from the same problem as the printed one. What doesn't come with the camera is the USB cable, which I think stinks. Fortunately I had one from an old Palm Pilot that worked. The camera, by the way, does include 2 ferrite cores. I had to research what those were; they wrap around near one end of the USB cable to prevent interference when uploading your pictures. Considering using it because without it I kept getting uploading errors. I didn't plan on writing this much, but really there is much to say about this camera. Bottom line is that I really like it.