Official D3100 User Thread
- Thread starter burboy
- Start date
If you are going to be a casual photographer D3100 is just enough. Image quality and ISO performance is quite decent (not very lower than D7000). A casual photographer is going to have 1-3 lenses maximum (let's say a wide, a tele and a portrait prime lens). You may select those lenses from AFS series and you won't need the in-body motor of D7000.
D7000 provides more controls on the body, magnesium body and some features like bracketing ... For a semi-professional photographer which puts a considerable time on photography, this might be better.
Even a semi-professional photographer can bring out equally good photographs from both cameras.
I just bought the kit + a 35mm F1.8 yesterday at TK. 
My opinion on it and your experience may vary:
Pros:
- Small and light
- Viewfinder is so so but not too shabby
- Good iso performance (used to have a D90, I'll say that its ard 2/3 stop better with less botchyness base on some test photos i took last night)
- Cheap and value for $$ if you already have some nikon lenses (else K-R might be better if starting new? debatable)
- Video is a plus
Cons:
- The sound of autofocus when doing video is >.<"
- No built in motor (not a big deal to me because I am left with AF-S lenses)
- LCD screen is next to useless for me as I'm used to bigger and clearer ones (I set it to reflect histogram direct so at least I can do some review)
Overall:
I considered both D3.1k and the D7k. Budget was not a problem and both was available. I handled both and decided on the D3.1k because I just wanted something light with relatively good IQ coupled with acceptable ISO performance. It works for me and I saved some $$ getting this over the D7k as I do not need its slightly better ISO performance since my main cam is a D700. Overall... I'll say it scored a 8.5/10 on my personal satisfaction level. :lovegrin:
My opinion on it and your experience may vary:
Pros:
- Small and light
- Viewfinder is so so but not too shabby
- Good iso performance (used to have a D90, I'll say that its ard 2/3 stop better with less botchyness base on some test photos i took last night)
- Cheap and value for $$ if you already have some nikon lenses (else K-R might be better if starting new? debatable)
- Video is a plus
Cons:
- The sound of autofocus when doing video is >.<"
- No built in motor (not a big deal to me because I am left with AF-S lenses)
- LCD screen is next to useless for me as I'm used to bigger and clearer ones (I set it to reflect histogram direct so at least I can do some review)
Overall:
I considered both D3.1k and the D7k. Budget was not a problem and both was available. I handled both and decided on the D3.1k because I just wanted something light with relatively good IQ coupled with acceptable ISO performance. It works for me and I saved some $$ getting this over the D7k as I do not need its slightly better ISO performance since my main cam is a D700. Overall... I'll say it scored a 8.5/10 on my personal satisfaction level. :lovegrin:
@Beipio
Good review.
I agree with every single point you made. I am happy that I am not alone in my review. You have pointed to almost the same things.
The only additional thing I found is that my kitlen 18-55 and also the 55-200 have a slight forward focus problem. I took photo of a few batteries (place in a row), I focused on the middle one and I see another battery which is nearer is in focus instead of the middle one. I have more serious problem on 55-200. I am forced to select high Fs and I always use single servo, single point to improve the focus.
Have you observed such a thing?
Mac
Good review.
I agree with every single point you made. I am happy that I am not alone in my review. You have pointed to almost the same things.
The only additional thing I found is that my kitlen 18-55 and also the 55-200 have a slight forward focus problem. I took photo of a few batteries (place in a row), I focused on the middle one and I see another battery which is nearer is in focus instead of the middle one. I have more serious problem on 55-200. I am forced to select high Fs and I always use single servo, single point to improve the focus.
Have you observed such a thing?
Mac
Hi again Mac,
I did some test shots with not so good light and the pictures were clear and sharp at lowest possible aperture for the kit lens at their respective range (I had blur photos though as I do not have enough ambient light and I wasn't willing to push the ISO). Hence I don't mine have your above mentioned issues but I'll give a more through shoot 2moro noon as I only had 5 mins just now before I had to rush off for a movie.
I did some test shots with not so good light and the pictures were clear and sharp at lowest possible aperture for the kit lens at their respective range (I had blur photos though as I do not have enough ambient light and I wasn't willing to push the ISO). Hence I don't mine have your above mentioned issues but I'll give a more through shoot 2moro noon as I only had 5 mins just now before I had to rush off for a movie.
burboy
Member
why would D3100 give more fine details over D90?
you can improve IQ by using a better lens.
D3100 kit len is 18-55
D90 kit len is 18-105
your call?
cichlid
Senior Member
Better lens? I know what u mean but I'm asking same lens, different bodies.
hotchoco1ate
New Member
Good takes. But the pp for the 1st one lose quite a lot of shadow detail (underexposed) and the 2nd one too much pp till the saturation too much.My Digital Dark Chamber
D3100 with 35mm :B
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New to DSLR and thinking of getting D3100.
Any advise if it is a good idea to buy from Harvey Norman or Best Denki and purchase their extended warranty (to 3 or 5 years). Their price are higher than shops like SLR Rev even thought they give additional items which I may not need.
Nikon only provide one year warrant unlike Canon which provide extended warranty directly.
Thank you.
Any advise if it is a good idea to buy from Harvey Norman or Best Denki and purchase their extended warranty (to 3 or 5 years). Their price are higher than shops like SLR Rev even thought they give additional items which I may not need.
Nikon only provide one year warrant unlike Canon which provide extended warranty directly.
Thank you.
cichlid
Senior Member
My colleague bought the kit at $835, I think you can use this to compare with big shop price before making your decision.
mysterio506
New Member
hi, $835 from which shop ?
burboy
Member
The standard freebie is 8GB sd. With SITEX round the corner, you can consider dropping by..
Hi guys, I just want to check if anyone has any problems with the noise of the pictures as you increase your ISO? My friend is pushing me to get a Canon EOS, but I've had my eye on the D3100 for quite awhile, and would really love to get one. According to him, pictures get really grainy once your ISO reaches 800, and I don't want that to happen to my pictures in future. So can anyone help me with this problem, please? Thanks!
Eh... insofar... ISO 1600 is definitely usable. ISO 3200 must be used with care. Just make sure you have some form of noise reduction software and you'll pretty much be safe up to ISO 3200 if you are not demanding.
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