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| "nikon d3100" |
Nikon’s well-specified
entry-level model relies on its ‘beginner market’ pull. The likes of guide mode
help explain in both visual and written forms what all options and modes do.
It’s a camera that tries to take the fear out of using a DSLR, and it’s
certainly a good model to use if you’re an unsure newbie.
With a 14,2MP APS-C CMOS sensor
the D3100 is the most resolute of cameras in this test. Its ISO 100-3200
(12,800 extended) falls one stop short of the pentax K-r’s range, but is still
a wide range for all forms of shootin – whatever the light is like.
An 11 – point AF system provides
one central cross-tyoe sensor for enchanced portrait orientation sensitivity,
with all the information fed back via 95% field of view optical viewfinder or
visible on the 3in, 230k – dot LCD screen.
DESIGN
Although still plastic in finish,
the rubberised grip adds texture and the rounded shapes and smoth lines make
this look all the more an attractive camera.
From beginners to the more
advances the D3100 has plenty to offer, from its helpful Guide mode through to
Auto and full manual controls. There are many additional buttons for control,
including a well-placed drive mode collar-like switch around the mode dial. The
movie mode’s one-touch button and new live view switch mode also feel more
integrated for the user experience.
PERFORMANCE
By comparison to the other models
D3100 is a bit of a mixed bag in peformance terms. Although its 11-point AF is
well arrange and viewfinder feedback a success, it’s the slowest to achieve
focus of by a noticeable margin.
Pop the camera into live view and
this is turned on its head. However, the D3100 is far faster than
previous-generation Nikon cameras and focus is picked up on swiftly. Where the
D3100 does come up trumps is with its ability to select focus antwhere across
the screen (it’s the only one of the three to offer this capacity).
Movie mode is more of a numbers
game than complete success. While the 1080i resolution, continuous autofocus
and 24fps frame rate nay sound perfect for cinematic playback, there’s a lack
of overall quality and data that, in this instance, stop the most resolute
camera from being the best of the bunch.
For burst shooting the 3fps rate
sits between the Canon and Pentax’s capabilities. Although the Nikon is
outpaced two-fold by the Pentax, it does have the large buffer. What this means
is that more shots can be reeled off in succession with no stoppage – a full 13
Raw & JPEG shots without pausing in our test.
Specificatiom
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18-55mm & 50-200mm lens
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12,4MP CMOS (1.5x mag)
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11-point AF (9 cross type)
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ISO 200-12,800
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6fps burst mode
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720p HD movie mode
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