Melville, NY—Nikon’s D3100 digital SLR was developed to provide an easy-to-use and affordable entrance into the world of Nikon DSLR cameras. The 14.2 megapixel D3100, which debuted with four new Nikkor lenses, offers Full HD 1080p video recording and includes an enhanced guide mode that displays on its 3.0-inch LCD to offer suggestions or adjust settings. And, the D3100 is the first to introduce full-time autofocus (AF) in live view and D-movie modes.
Housed in a compact, lightweight body are such Nikon technologies as a 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 for shooting indoors or in the evening.
“People are stepping up to digital SLR cameras—consumers are embracing the enhanced performance, amazing image quality and options for lenses and accessories that only a DSLR can provide,” said Lisa Osorio, general manager of marketing at Nikon Inc. “The D3100 is a camera that makes it easy to take beautiful pictures and will grow with the user, unlocking their potential and assisting in creating lasting memories or amazing art.“
Accessed through the mode dial on top of the camera, an enhanced guide mode features sample assist images that change with camera settings to inspire consumers to achieve a desired look to their images, while guiding them through photographic techniques, such as softening backgrounds or freezing a moment in time.
Video recording options include Full HD 1080p resolution (1,920x1,080), cinematic-quality 24p video clips, and shooting at 24 or 30 frames per second 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, and recording in low light. And Nikkor lenses with Vibration Reduction (VR) II technology help eliminate camera shake.
The D3100 records in the H.264 AVCHD codec (.mov file) to facilitate sharing and editing of video clips. While playing movies back in-camera, users can clip footage from the beginning or end. And via its HDMI output, video and stills can be viewed on an HDTV and controlled using the HDMI Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) interface that is a part of most HDTV remote controls.
Other features include: face detection to lock focus on up to 35 human faces; live view activation with the flick of a dedicated switch; support for SDXC memory cards to store large amounts of photos and video; 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 in various lighting; an auto scene selector in live view mode that automatically selects the best scene mode; six preset scene modes; a dust-reduction system; an enhanced viewfinder design; 3D subject tracking to continuously focus on fast-moving subjects throughout the frame; and a quiet shutter release mode to reduce the sound of the mirror while shooting. An in-camera retouch menu allows users to apply a variety of effects to images without a computer, like a miniature effect, image overlay, color outline and softening filters.
The D3100 is compatible with more than 40 Nikkor AF-S interchangeable lenses, and while it has a built-in flash, it also 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. The D3100 also supports Eye-Fi memory cards to enable the wireless transfer of images to a computer. Also included is a new version of Nikon’s image-editing application, View NX2, to help organize and edit photos and video.
The D3100 camera outfit, including the AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR image stabilization lens, is scheduled to reach retail in mid September, at an estimated selling price of $699.95.
New Companion Nikkor Optics
Nikon announced four Nikkor lenses to meet the needs of all types of photographers. The three zoom lenses utilize Nikon’s Vibration Reduction (VR) II image stabilization system designed to provide four stops of correction to help create blur-free images while shooting handheld or in challenging lighting. All four lenses feature Nikon’s Silent Wave Motor (SWM) technology “to deliver fast, accurate and quiet AF performance” and Nikon’s super integrated coating (SIC) for color consistency and reduced flaring. And found in the 85mm f/1.4 and 24-120mm f/4 is Nikon’s nano-crystal coat to aid in reducing ghosting and flare.
AF-S DX Nikkor 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR. This super telephoto lens is said to be the ideal complement to the 18-55mm VR DX-format camera kit lens, providing focal lengths from 82.5-450mm (35mm equivalent). Its tripod detection mode enables users to keep VR image stabilization activated and automatically compensates for minute vibrations when mounted on a tripod. Additionally, a high refractive index lens element is implemented to keep the lens compact while offering high contrast even at maximum aperture. Also included are two extra-low dispersion (ED) elements to minimize chromatic aberration. $399.95
AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR. The first Nikon FX-format lens with a 10.7x zoom range for enthusiasts and professionals, the 28-300mm is billed as “the all-in-one optical solution that is ideal for travel, landscapes, portraits and capturing distant subjects.” It has an equivalent focal length of 42-450mm when attached to a DX-format DSLR and includes two ED glass elements and three aspherical elements to eliminate coma and other aberrations at wide aperture settings. Incorporated are an M/A focus mode switch to enable quick changes between manual and autofocus operation and internal focusing to allow autofocus without changing the length of the lens while retaining working distance through the focus range. $1,299.95.
AF-S Nikkor 24-120mm f/4 G ED VR. In the wide-to-portrait lens category, it provides a medium focal range with a constant aperture of f/4 to maintain exposure settings throughout its zoom range. It also features two ED elements, three aspherical lens elements, an M/A focus mode switch, internal focus and nano crystal coat. $1,049.95.
AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.4G ED. Geared for professional portrait, studio and wedding photographers, Nikon says the
AF-S 85mm f/1.4G ED is “an ultra-fast classic portrait lens boasting amazing picture quality, high performance and the ability to create dramatic background effects (bokeh).” It is also suited for portraits and low-light shooting because of its ability to create a shallow depth of field. It’s optimized for edge-to-edge sharpness on FX- and DX-format DSLRs and features two focus modes, M/A (manual-priority autofocus) and M (manual), as well as internal focusing, nano crystal coat and rugged construction. $1,699.95.
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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
AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.4G