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Nikon 3100
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More…| Image quality: To gauge picture quality, we take a series of shots, with and without flash, at 640 by 480 resolution and at the camera's highest resolution. We photograph a complex still life and a mannequin to see how well each camera captures details and subtle colorings such as skin tones. A panel of judges reviews the on-screen and printed photos and assigns image-quality scores; we then average those scores. | Good |
| Ease of use | Very good |
| Features | Fair |
| Maximum effective pixels/resolution | 3.2 megapixels at 2048 by 1536 |
| Bundled media | 16MB CompactFlash |
| Focal range (35mm equivalent) | 38mm to 115mm |
| Aperture range (wide angle) | f2.8 to f4.9 |
| Shutter speed range (seconds) | 4 seconds to 1/3000 second |
| Viewfinders | Optical viewfinder, 1.5-inch LCD |
| Video recording | 640 by 480 video clips up to 20 seconds each (without audio) |
| Semi-automatic/manual modes | Fourteen scene modes |
| Optional lenses | None |
| Software | NikonView 6; ArcSoft PhotoImpression, VideoImpression, Panorama Maker, and PhotoBase for PDAs |
| Battery score | Very good |
| Battery life | 480 shots, 168 minutes |
| Battery type | One/two 3V disposable lithium ion or AA |
| Dimensions and weight | 3.5 by 2.5 by 1.5 inches; 6.9 ounces |
| Support policy score | Good |
| Support policies | One-year parts and labor warranty; 24-hour daily toll-free support |
Bottom Line
Though it doesn't feel as rock-solid as the equally small Canon PowerShot Digital Elph models, the Coolpix 3100 is an ounce lighter and costs significantly less. What it lacks in sophistication it makes up in ease of use, making it an ideal snapshooter's camera.
Nikon Coolpix 3100
3100 Review, by Alan Stafford June 30, 2003
WHAT'S HOT: At 6.9 ounces when equipped with battery and media, the Coolpix 3100 is one of the lightest cameras we've tested--and it's one of the smallest, too. Only the Pentax Optio S, at 4.1 ounces, weighs substantially less. Yet the Coolpix 3100 feels very comfortable in use, allowing easy operation with one hand. Targeted at snapshooters, Nikon gave the 3100 14 scene modes--enough for most shooting situations. The camera also has four "assist" modes that not only handle the exposure but also put up templates on the LCD screen. For example, the portrait modes show outlines of people, which can help novice photographers compose their shots.
In contrast to earlier Nikons with deep, complicated menus, the 3100's are very easy to understand, thanks to big, colorful icons and settings that go only one subtopic level deep. Few people will be intimidated by this camera.
WHAT'S NOT: Like some other cameras aimed at novices, the 3100's "manual" mode is a bit misleading--you do not use it to set specific aperture or shutter values. Instead, it lets you adjust the white balance setting, set the camera to continuous shooting mode, adjust image sharpness, or use Nikon's Best Shot Selector, which tells the camera to take pictures for as long as you hold down the shutter release, and then picks the sharpest photo of the bunch. (Because the camera discards the other shots, we can't compare photos to tell if this feature works.)
The thumbnail icons in the scene menus don't really tell you what the scene modes do; they're just cute little icons that make the camera seem a little toylike. We'd rather see an example photo, as Casio provides with its scene modes, or some explanatory text, as on Hewlett Packard models. You'll have to consult the manual to find out exactly what the scene modes do.
WHAT ELSE: In our photo tests, the Coolpix 3100 scored slightly above average. Our flash shots were somewhat dark, but the rest of our photos looked good--the photos' colors were very close to the original shades, and objects looked sharp (though not nearly as sharp as higher-resolution, higher-priced models).
You select the four assisted scene modes from a dial on top of the camera; you choose the other ten scene modes from menus. Nikon rates the flash only to 9.8 feet--a couple of feet short of the average--and the flash seems somewhat slow to fire. The 3100 does not have a low-light illuminator, so framing shots in dim settings can be trying.
The camera did well on our battery tests, holding a charge for nearly 3 hours--480 shots--with a CRV3 battery. Alternatively, you can use rechargeable NiMH batteries, but the camera does not include them (or a charger). The Coolpix 3100 takes good-looking movies, albeit without sound; you can capture 20 seconds of 640-by-480 video at 15 frames per second, and you can zoom during shooting. You can make very minor edits to your photos within the camera. It creates a copy of your image, and then adds the effect you've selected, such as converting the photo to monochrome, or applying a halo effect or sepia tone. You can also save cropped versions of your images and trim your movies (ostensibly to save media-card space).
UPSHOT: Though it doesn't feel as rock-solid as the equally small Canon PowerShot Digital Elph models, the Coolpix 3100 is an ounce lighter and costs significantly less. What it lacks in sophistication it makes up in ease of use, making it an ideal snapshooter's camera.
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Review Now! Already own it? Tell us What You Think
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Reviewed by: SPB840
Strengths: LOVE THE QUALITY OF THE PICTURES AND ALL THE DIFFERENT OPTIONS
Weaknesses: THE BATTERY LIFE IS ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE IVE TRY'D EVERYTHING I AM RUNNING OUT OF OPPTIONS HERE
Overall: I HAVE TRY'D TO CHANGE BRANDS OF RECHARGEABLE LITHIUM BATTERIES AND HAVE GOTTEN 1GB CARDS HAVE LOWERED THE SIZE OF THE PICS I DONT KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO...CAN SOMEONE PLEASE FILL ME IN ON THERE LIL SECTETE PLEASE
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Reviewed by: pbrockma
Strengths: Good camera for the price. Easy to use for the novice.
Weaknesses: Very slow on capturing the image on the Flash Card. Seems like 5-10 seconds. Also not very good inside when the lights are not bright. Will not pickup actors on the stage unless you are close.
Overall: I've had the Coolpix 3100 for 2-3 years now and it's been a very easy camera to use. I use it primarily for still pictures; preferably outside.
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Reviewed by: DGALKIEWICZ
Strengths: SIZE,EASY TO USE.
Weaknesses: BATTERY LIFE IS TERRIBLE.
Overall: THE BATTERY LIFE ON THIS CAMERA STARTED TO CHANGE AFTER 6 MONTHS.NOW I CAN NOT EVEN TAKE IT OUT FOR A DAY TRIP.MY CAMERA SITS IN ITS BOX IN THE CLOSET. CAMERA DIES AFTER 5-10 PICTURES. I FOUND SEVERAL REVIEWES SIMILAR TO THIS ON OTHER SITES TONIGHT AND I HOPE TELLING THE TRUTH ABOUT THIS CAMERA WILL PROMPT NIKON TO RECALL THE DEFECTIVE MODELS.I FEEL VERY ANGRY ABUT THE MONEY SPENT AND THE FACT THAT I DO NOT HAVE THE RESOURCES TO PURCHASE ANOTHER DIGITAL.WHEN I DO IT CERTAINLY WILL NOT BE A NIKON.
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Reviewed by: gatoatigrado
Strengths: small design, macro
Weaknesses: color noise, sharpness, not great photos
Overall: This isn't an absolutely terrible camera, but the two stars does correspond to "It works, but would not purchase again" here. In bright light, it performs well but if you want great pictures you might have to adjust the white balance, which takes time because of poor (and static; no customization) menus. The color noise, undoubtedly because of it using higher ISO's without telling the user, is not good. The sharpness is also below average. Most digital cameras these days will give you decent photos, but for something better spend more and get an Olympus 5060 or 8080, or perhaps the Canon A85 with 128mb of Compact Flash for $230.
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Reviewed by: mlx4647
Strengths: compact, low cost/quality, movie capture
Weaknesses: no rechargable battery inside, can not use with AA alkaline battery.
Overall: Pros: - Everything can be operated by only one hand, very compact and fit to hand grip perfectly. - Good quality picture in day outdoor - It's automatic function works well in supportive condition Cons: - Pictures are grainy in low light condition - No sound for movie - No manual setting
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