Entry-level DSLR Entry-level DSLR
August, 2010
Nikon D3100

NikonD3100

Summary Nikon D3100

Prices Price
Body only Unknown With 18-55mm lens $500 - $984
all D3100 prices
Score Snapsort rank
Within its price range #3 of 5 Among similar cameras #12 of 18
details details
Specifications Key specs
Sensor size Help APS-C 23.1x15.4mm Screen resolution Help 230k dots
Megapixels Help 14.2 MP Movie format Help 1080p @ 24fps
Screen size Help 3.0" Light sensitivity Help 3,200 ISO
see all specifications
Lenses Lenses
Browse all Nikon D3100 lenses at LensHero
Nikon D3100Nikon D3100

reviewsWhat are people saying about the D3100

"Thanks to its lineage the D3100 remains one of the most pleasant to hold cameras in its class."
dpreview.com | talking about the camera's feel
"Unusually fast Live View AF for an SLR"
dpreview.com | talking about the camera's auto-focus
"In addition to these buttons and switches the D3100 has also gained a proper rubber grip, rather than the rubberized coating that featured on the D3000"
dpreview.com | talking about the camera's build-quality

Videos

Canon 550D vs Nikon D3100

Hands on with the Nikon D3100

Nikon D3100 Outside Review
Canon 550D vs Nikon D3100
  • Tutorial
 Hands on with the Nikon D3100
  • Review
  • Unboxing
  • Pro
  • Amateur
 Nikon D3100 Outside Review
  • Review
  • Pro
  • Amateur
  • Preview

Browse all Nikon D3100 videos

Pros

The Nikon D3100 vs other recent entry-level DSLRs

Low light performance Low noise at high ISO Help
919 ISO
Movie format Full HD Help
1080p @ 24fps
Supports 24p 24p movies Help
For that film look
Startup delay Short startup delay Help
400 ms startup delay
Lens availability More lenses available Help
169 lenses
Size Quite small Help
Prosumer size 124x96x73 mm
Screen size Above average sized screen Help
3.0"
Autofocus Autofocuses shooting video Help
Contrast detection
Movie continuous focus Movie continuous focus Help
Makes it easy to get in-focus movies
Weight Light Help
505 g
Popularity Very popular Help
Among snapsort users

Cons

The Nikon D3100 vs other recent entry-level DSLRs

Screen resolution Low resolution screen Help
230k dots
Viewfinder size Small viewfinder Help
0.51x
Light sensitivity Poor maximum light sensitivity Help
3,200 ISO
Continuous shooting Slow continuous shooting Help
3 fps
Panorama Lacks in-camera panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
Cross type focus points Fewer cross-type focus points Help
1
HDR Lacks in-camera HDR Help
You could do HDR manually
Viewfinder coverage Below average viewfinder coverage Help
95%
Storage slots Fewer storage slots Help
1
Dynamic range Narrower dynamic range Help
11.3 EV
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur
Screen flips out Fixed screen Help
Less flexible
Shutter lag Longer shutter lag Help
279 ms shutter lag
External mic jack Lacks an external mic jack Help
Limited to the in-camera mic
3D Doesn't take 3D photos Help
No 3d support
Lens focus motor No focus motor Help
Won't autofocus with all lenses
Fastest shutter speed Slow shutter speed Help
1/4000 of a second

dxomark

DXOMark

Appearance

front photo of the Nikon D3100back photo of the Nikon D3100angle photo of the Nikon D3100

Discussion What do you think about the Nikon D3100?

Speech is free, but discussion at Snapsort is moderated! Please discuss your opinion of this camera here, and discuss feedback for Snapsort at our support community.

Showing 25 comments

Haralisa (8:49 AM, January 12, 2012)
Hi.I want to buy a dslr camera to use it for travelling but i don't know whether i should choose this nikon d3100 or the canon eos 1100d.Can someone give me some suggestions?And please also state the price cos im searching for dslr that cost around rm1500++.Thank you.
 
Yanks13 (2:29 PM, December 23, 2011)
Okayyy guys. i had a choice between d3100,5100 and canon counterparts, it was pretty obvs for coz nikon is better on paper than 1100d , and was on a tight budget as well. Nevertheless D31000 was fairly easy on pocket and now it has been a week with it and its AMAZING! there is nothing you will get fussy about, its simple to use. no cheap plasticky build & the retouch menu is lovely. Nikon Transfer 2 (the CD pack contains all) is faster than you think. i would say, just go for it. (Y)

P.S- Speculation is that the red color D3100 might get white color lenses as standard. Ummm...
 
Scierwo001 (10:36 PM, December 13, 2011)
Kurewski aparacik, W SAM RAZ DLA TZWELI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Sudharsan ravikumar (11:58 PM, December 08, 2011)
D3100 if u hav low budjet else go for canon 7d :)
 
Ikazanne (3:19 AM, December 07, 2011)
Erm is canon 40d good???
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (2:58 PM, December 01, 2011)
You should not get stuck on megapixels, most people only need a few megapixels unless you are blowing your photo up to billboard size. 
The T3i, D3100 and D5100 are all good cameras, I do not think you will be disappointed with any of them. You can check out our comparison of the T3i vs D5100 or T3i vs D3100 and lastly the D5100 vs D3100.
Good luck.
 
Salp8 (4:59 AM, December 01, 2011)
I am new to the digital camera world and was wondering why some Canons are 18 mp but cost almost the same as a Nikon with 14 or 16 mp?  I am looking for a digital camera that takes good clear pictures of people, portraits and candid, mostly candid, captures colors excellent and allows me to be creative and have fun with the camera and lenses.  I am fairly experienced with film cameras but not a professional and I do like to play with the aperture and shutter speed to create some fun photographs.  I would appreciate any advice on which camera might be best for me.  I am looking at the Canon eos rebel T3i and the Nikon D3100 or D5100. Please help. Thank you very much
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (2:26 PM, November 30, 2011)
You got yourself a good camera.
 
Chookbrown (2:02 AM, November 30, 2011)
just got mine delivered but was second guessing myself as i thought i wanted the canon t1 but was persuaded by husband to go nikon. glad the reviews for the 3100 are good!
 
N Raptored90 (10:37 PM, November 28, 2011)
i compared my nikon d3100 to canon 600d......i was pretty impressed with the image quality of canon......i'm a bit confused.....many ppls suggest me that i would had bought a canon.....and the operation in canon was a bit easier than nikon .... so is it that its a improved level dslr??.....i have never tested my nikon with a canon 1100d....
 
Vaibhavg39 (9:02 AM, November 27, 2011)
Hello :))
I am planning to buy my first Dslr but im dead confused between the Cannon D1100 & the Nikon D3100.
Plz help
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (2:30 PM, November 24, 2011)
Thanks, glad we could help!
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (2:30 PM, November 24, 2011)
We have not heard of any rumors of a new competitor to the D3100 being announced anytime soon, I am sure that around Christmas time will be your best bet to get a good deal on this camera. Nikkor lenses can be expensive if you go for high end lenses, but there are also many reasonably priced ones. Lenses will cost about the same no matter what brand you go with. Check out our sister site
Gonghiyatu (10:42 AM, November 24, 2011)
I'm thinking of buying this by Dec/Jan. Will there be more cameras in this range to add to competition? Also Ive heard Nikkor lenses are very expensive!
 
Weedr48 (10:40 AM, November 24, 2011)
At first i thought of buying Canon 1000D then 1100D and then I stumbled upon D3100. I have made my decision. BTW great website! Keep up the good work :)
 
Avatar for PEACEisPROSPERITY PEACEisPROSPERITY (5:56 AM, November 04, 2011)
Just got the D3100... LOVE IT!!!

It has a wonderful feel in your hand, and is perfectly sized and weighted (in my opinion). The image quality is amazingly sharp and captures colors very well, though I still prefer film for textures. The manual controls are very easy to use (a command wheel allows easy thumb control over aperture and shutter speed), and the display screen shows every detail of your settings in an easy to read layout. The metering system is intuitive and accurate, and the range finder feature is pretty sweet (great for hunting). I highly recommend the VR lens(vibration reduction), as it allows you to hand shoot at shutter speeds as slow as 1/15 with little to no blur, sometimes even slower (depending on your hands). Only negatives for me would be the lack of in-camera panoramas and low LCD resolution.
Also, experienced film photographers making the switch to digital might want to skip right to the D5100 or D7000.
 
Overall.. an extremely well built camera with a great feel, good for any style of shooting.
Considering the price, I would give this camera a 9.5/10 
 
Swcv2 (3:38 AM, November 03, 2011)
very nice camera. i would say this is the best camera for beginner.
 
Ndai_05 (1:57 PM, October 24, 2011)
like you, am also a beginner of DSLR. I have my first cam the D3100 and am pretty sure you will like it. It is a user friendly and easy to manipulate.....you will learn the secrets as you continue using the cam..
 
Mark (2:59 PM, October 14, 2011)
please help me with iso question.  Friend recommended canon T3 because of iso 6400 vs. iso 3200 with Nikon D3100.  But I read that Nikon D3100 can go up to ISO 12800 on HI-2 setting.  Isn't that much better?
 
Rajtambade3 (8:16 AM, October 02, 2011)
hey snapsort....m thnkin 2 buy a dslr...n m a beginner...

m really confused between canon 1100d n nikon 3100d...
wich 1 wud b better for me...??
 
Avatar for Aneef Izhar Aneef Izhar (2:40 PM, September 26, 2011)
D3100 is the best buy in such a price.
 
Avatar for Aneef Izhar Aneef Izhar (2:38 PM, September 26, 2011)
Definitely a large step forward. You are moving from a point and shoot to DSLR :)
 
Avatar for Aneef Izhar Aneef Izhar (2:33 PM, September 26, 2011)
I love the way my D3100 is. Who cares for sony :) It's the best buy in tht lower price
 
Veer_mann (9:37 AM, September 25, 2011)
go for d5000 if u r priority is justtt the image! but overall d3100 is better!
 
Nuke_roch (9:39 AM, September 15, 2011)
Thanks snapsort for the wonderfully clear and concise presentation. LOVE IT. Keep up the good work!!