Nikon D3100 DSLR with Full HD Video Recording and Full-Time Autofocus
Camera Review
Nikon D3100 with AF-S DX Nikkor 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR lens
The D3100 provides an enhanced guide mode on its 3.0-inch LCD.
Nikon D3100 with AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR kit lens
Melville, NY—Nikon’s D3100 was developed to provide an easy-to-use and affordable entrance into the world of Nikon digital SLRs. The 14.2 megapixel camera offers Full HD 1080p video recording and an enhanced guide mode that displays on its 3.0-inch LCD to offer suggestions or adjust settings. And, it is the first to introduce full-time autofocus (AF) in live view and D-movie modes.
Debuting with the D3100 are the AF-S DX Nikkor 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR, AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, AF-S Nikkor 24-120mm f/4G ED VR and AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.4G lenses.
Housed in the D3100’s compact, lighweight body are the new Expeed 2 image-processing engine, a 14.2MP DX-format CMOS sensor, a fast 11-point AF system and ISOs expandable to 12,800. Accessed through the mode dial on top of the camera, its guide mode displays sample assist images that change with settings, while guiding users through photographic techniques, such as softening backgrounds or freezing action.
Video recording options include Full HD 1080p resolution (1,920x1,080), cinematic-quality 24p video clips, and shooting at 24 or 30 fps in 720p, suitable for online sharing—with full-time AF for D-movie shooting and while in live view mode. By incorporating Nikkor lenses, users can add effects to video, such as isolating subjects with a shallow depth of field. The D3100 records in the H.264 AVCHD codec (.mov file) to facilitate sharing and editing of clips, and via its HDMI output, video/stills can be viewed on an HDTV.
Other features include: face detection (35 faces); support for SDXC cards to store large amounts of data; an active D-lighting system that automatically rescues dark or backlit images; Nikon’s scene recognition system that draws on the 420-pixel RGB color 3D matrix meter for optimized exposures; an auto scene selector in live view that selects the best mode; six preset scene modes; dust-reduction; an enhanced viewfinder design; 3D subject tracking; and a quiet shutter release mode. An in-camera retouch menu lets users apply effects to images in-camera, like a miniature effect, image overlay and softening filters.
While it has a built-in flash, the D3100 operates with Nikon’s Creative Lighting system and is capable of wireless lighting when using the SB-900 Speedlight or the SU-800 wireless commander. It also supports Eye-Fi cards to enable the wireless transfer of images.
The D3100 outfit, including the AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR image-stabilized lens, will reach retail in September. $699.95. nikonusa.com