Nikon announces NEW CAM...D3100

[Lanny Dean]

There has been much talk about Nikon unleashing a NEW consumer/prosumer cam on Nikonrumors.com for awhile now. Not a rumor any longer!!!
http://nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Product/Digital-SLR/25472/D3100.html

This thing looks to be a beast...14.6mp, full 1080i HD, 11 point autofocus, ISO 12,800 and with an 18-55 vr kit lens, all for under $700!!! (Not bad for a crop cam!)

Wonder what this will do to the current D3000 not to mention the D5000 and D90?

 

[BBauer]

Anyone know if they will offer this in a body-only option?

 

[Skip Talbot]

Looks like a great camera and a very affordable price too. I'm still using a 6mp advanced point and shoot circa 2005. Would this be a good camera to make the jump to a DSLR?

 

[Jason Moreland]

The main thing lacking in my equipment is a high quality camera. I'll be interested in hearing more opinions on this one.

 

[J Brooks]

This camera is what the D3000 should have been to start. I wish everyday that my D3000 had live view and video mode. I do however think they could've done a little better with the video capabilities of the camera. 1080p at 24fps is decent, but something about recording being limited to 10 minutes per clip would bother me. I know it's not that big of a deal, and it's not meant to replace an actual video camera, but I wouldn't think it would be too hard to just let the camera record for the amount of time that your card can handle. That said I do like the continuous AF in video mode.

The scene recognition system with live view seems very cool, especially when you don't have time to mess with all of those settings. That can definitely come in handy in fast paced situations where everything is changing constantly. The 14.2 mp sensor is a nice upgrade over the previous 10.2 mp sensor. All in all it's another great entry level camera by Nikon, but it won't be enough to stop me from saving my pennies for a D300s.

 

[Lanny Dean]

Looks like a great camera and a very affordable price too. I'm still using a 6mp advanced point and shoot circa 2005. Would this be a good camera to make the jump to a DSLR?

IMO yes, Skip, this would be a good time to think about making the jump.

 

[J Brooks]

IMO yes, Skip, this would be a good time to think about making the jump.

I agree, coming from a point and shoot this would be an excellent step up. From what I've read about this camera it looks like it's better in a lot of ways than the D5000 and D90 also.


Jason Brooks

 

[Robert Edmonds]

Wonder what this will do to the current D3000 not to mention the D5000 and D90?

From looking at the camera I don't believe this is a d90 replacement... Hard to control shutter and aperture in full manual with only one wheel. I was expecting a bigger jump in pixels too. For now I guess I'm still happy I bought my D90, but I wouldn't be surprised if another camera too comes out soon.

Personally wish there was a Nikon with a CCD and vibrating dust filter. Lower read noise than CMOS (everything's going to CMOS these days), with less dust, now that's my type of camera. Still couldn't care about video on a dslr.

 

[Lanny Dean]

From looking at the camera I don't believe this is a d90 replacement... Hard to control shutter and aperture in full manual with only one wheel. I was expecting a bigger jump in pixels too. For now I guess I'm still happy I bought my D90, but I wouldn't be surprised if another camera too comes out soon.

Personally wish there was a Nikon with a CCD and vibrating dust filter. Lower read noise than CMOS (everything's going to CMOS these days), with less dust, now that's my type of camera. Still couldn't care about video on a dslr.

No, I don't believe it is a D90 or even a D5000 replacement but it certainly does no good for those of us who own a 90 or 5000 resale.

I agree, coming from a point and shoot this would be an excellent step up. From what I've read about this camera it looks like it's better in a lot of ways than the D5000 and D90 also.
Jason Brooks

I don't know if I would go that far....the D3100 still lacks some features not to mention specs that both cameras have.

The D90 has a slight edge (0.3 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance Much larger viewfinder0.63xvs0.52x
Around 50% larger viewfinder Significantly better image quality73.0vs66.0 More than 10% better image quality. Has a built-in focus motorYesvsNo Autofocuses with all autofocus lenses
More dynamic range12.5 EVvs11.8 EV 1.2 f-stops more dynamic range, Better color depth22.7 bitsvs22.3 bits (This is a big deal!)
Distinguishes more than 30% more colors Better viewfinder coverage96%vs95%

So while it does have more pixels (not that 2meg is going to give you much excluding on very large prints) it seems that it is lacking in many areas. All in all though, this is a great camera for someone stepping up from a point and shoot or an entry level DSLR. Stacked with a 50mm f/1.8 this camera will do some amazing stuff I am sure!

I think I will stick with my D90 though until a replacement comes out for it or when I upgrade to the D300s

 

[Matt Gingery]

As an entry level camera the 3100 D is a great choice. I prefer the Canon EOS 550 D for those that are looking for more FPS and better video quality. The advantage of course is the price. The 3100 is cheaper and a more viable choice for amateur photography. I would prefer it to have an external mic and swivel display. I know someone that had recently been talking about the release of this camera and was poised to go with the Canon 550 D because it has much better focusing quality in low light and has an A+ in the manual mode dept. Not to down play the 3100 D because it is a great choice for those wanting to get started in photography. This is a great camera and I would recommend it, but wouldn't purchase it myself. I would pay the extra 200$ and get the Canon 550, and with a little luck the release of the 3100 will drop the price a bit.

 

[J Brooks]

I don't know if I would go that far....the D3100 still lacks some features not to mention specs that both cameras have.

The D90 has a slight edge (0.3 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance Much larger viewfinder0.63xvs0.52x
Around 50% larger viewfinder Significantly better image quality73.0vs66.0 More than 10% better image quality. Has a built-in focus motorYesvsNo Autofocuses with all autofocus lenses
More dynamic range12.5 EVvs11.8 EV 1.2 f-stops more dynamic range, Better color depth22.7 bitsvs22.3 bits (This is a big deal!)
Distinguishes more than 30% more colors Better viewfinder coverage96%vs95%

So while it does have more pixels (not that 2meg is going to give you much excluding on very large prints) it seems that it is lacking in many areas. All in all though, this is a great camera for someone stepping up from a point and shoot or an entry level DSLR. Stacked with a 50mm f/1.8 this camera will do some amazing stuff I am sure!

I think I will stick with my D90 though until a replacement comes out for it or when I upgrade to the D300s

Gotcha, yeah I see what you're saying. I didn't have much time to really research it, so that's why I left it at saying it's looks like it would be better than the D5000 for sure and maybe the D90. As far as the D90 goes I stand corrected. I still don't get why they don't put the built in motor in anything below a D90. I really hate not being able to autofocus with my 50mm 1.8.

Aside from that like I said if you really want to go with Nikon it's an excellent choice for an entry level dslr, much more so than my D3000 lol.

 

[Lanny Dean]

I still don't get why they don't put the built in motor in anything below a D90. I really hate not being able to autofocus with my 50mm 1.8.

I know what you mean...my back up to my D90 is a D60 which my wife uses most of the time and it is a real pain when trying to use my 50mm!

As an entry level camera the 3100 D is a great choice. I prefer the Canon EOS 550 D for those that are looking for more FPS and better video quality. The advantage of course is the price. The 3100 is cheaper and a more viable choice for amateur photography. I would prefer it to have an external mic and swivel display. I know someone that had recently been talking about the release of this camera and was poised to go with the Canon 550 D because it has much better focusing quality in low light and has an A+ in the manual mode dept. Not to down play the 3100 D because it is a great choice for those wanting to get started in photography. This is a great camera and I would recommend it, but wouldn't purchase it myself. I would pay the extra 200$ and get the Canon 550, and with a little luck the release of the 3100 will drop the price a bit.

I didn't know you had a T2I. As far as FPS it is a little faster but I don't know that 1 or 1.5 FPS is a real deal breaker. Nor would I go so far to say that the 550D has "better focusing quality in low light and has an A+ in the manual mode dept"
Looking at the specs in cam vs cam both cameras are pretty close in range. It will be interesting to see if Nikon does any D90 "upgrade" in the future or even a D5000 upgrade. Historically, once they upgrade a "lower" end unit they tend to at least upgrade their mid range cams as well.

After going digital back in 2005/2006 to the D50 I then upgraded to the D70, then D70s. I didn't have the camera 3 months when Nikon announced the D40/D40x. Right after I upgraded to the D40x the D80 came out and I just had to have it. I finally upgraded to the D90 last year and will hopefully upgrade to the D300s unless they come out with something between now and then.

 

[Matt Gingery]

My apologies for posting input on the subject. I didn't mean to upset anyone in the thread. I simply wanted to compare the 2 cameras and point out the pro's and con's compared to my personal favorite camera. I meant no disrespect. All I was saying is that I preferred the external mic, and I find it very important to have good focusing quality in low light among other less important things. I can't remember how many times I ran into issues this past season trying to shoot low light situations. I think the Nikon is a great camera. I personally prefer another, and apologize if I didn't support your opinion in the matter 100%, because the Nikon is a great camera.

 

[James Langford]

Matt, there is no reason for you to apologize for sharing your own opinions and observations. I certainly hope you weren't attacked for doing so.

I can't speak for Nikon, as I shoot Canon exclusively. With both my 10D and 30D, a huge part of low light focussing has to do with the lens I am using. My 20mm and 10-22 will focus in very low light, and do so very reliably. My 28-135, however, has a very difficult time in low light situations.

One thing that has really helped me with focussing is to use the center point only. This allows me to choose where to focus, and not rely upon the camera. Also, setting a button (I use the *) to focus, and not using your shutter button, also helps. This allows you to set one focus, and leave it set for a series of images.

I find the evolution of the DSLR incredibly exciting. The competition between all of the different manufacturers has driven prices down to insanely low levels, and also given us features (like 1080p video) that just a few years ago wouldn't have even seemed possible. Can't wait to see what the future holds.
James