Dec 21, 2010 11:19 PM
12476 Views
(Updated Dec 21, 2010 11:22 PM)
I bought this camera just a week back. Im basically an enthusiast who's used only P&S cams all his life. This is my first SLR. I got it for Rs.29, 500 from Cochin. Now that the D3000 is retired, this is nikons entry level digital SLR.
Please note..THIS WILL BE MOST USEFUL FOR THOSE PPL LIKE ME TRYING TO BUY THEIR FIRST DSLRS
Probably the best thing about this entry level cam is the guide mode..it helps you..teaches u the finer points of taking better photos..including things like exposure levels, focal lengths, shutter speeds and what to use where..its like having a good photos for dummies book in built into ur cam!! really amazing...
The 1st thing ppl learn abt SLRs is that the megapixels don't count much in a DSLR. that is only if ur getting a big print of more than a foot long or something..Still this cam has 14.2 megs..so u don't feel inadequate when those puny sony's and kodaks boast of 12 or 14 megs.
The things that DO count in an SLR are mainly two things... the Sensor size and image processor
The d3100 has a 23.1 x 15.4 mm sensor which is the new CMOS type(as opposed to the older CCD technology..go thru wikipedia..i didnt understand half of the techie stuff abt sensors..) This just minutely smaller than the incredible D90 or the giant killing D7000 both of which are actually mid range DSLRs. the other entry level DSLRs fade in comparison to the d3100 sensor
The image processor is the latest EXPEED-2. It is the best and latest from nikon and is supposed to even have a slight edge over the legendary DIGIC-4 system that Canon has in its mid-range DSLRs.
Another gr8 thing that even I could figure out was the number of control buttons available. I'm a gadget freak and I LOVE lots of buttons! :-)..but seriously..this really reduces the time for each shot and composing them.
Amazing low light picture quality...with the exception of the pentax K-x(which is sadly..not available in India) this is the only entry level(even mid range!)camera capable of going to 12800 ISO. u can shoot in near total darkness and still get pretty decent pics..WITHOUT the flash!!
it has a 11 point autofocus system..i wont get technical..but the next best and even most mid range DSLRs have only 9 points..in plain English..superb auto focus capability(for the price..)
Movies are the last thing a photography purist wants on his DSLR..but for us newbies...we cant live without it.. so the D3100 has the very best... Full HD 1080p video with the first in-video autofocussing system in any DSLR in the world. quality??i have yet to see better. even with camcorders.
It even has this lil red button near the screen. if the camera is on..it automatically starts recording video..no delays..no seconds lost. It's obviously heavier than anything ive owned..but think..its the lightest DSLR in the world!!
Battery life is very good too.. I took around 200 snaps and some 3-4 min of HD video..i still have 2 of 3 bars of battery left. Now I really don't have any cons abt this camera..so im gonna crib abt some of the things I read in the reviews that other ppl wrote...
1)screen is 'only' 230, 000 dpi, canon has 960, 000. big deal.. the images are still crystal clear and razor sharp..why do u need such high res? ur gonna put the snaps in ur computer anyway!!
2)No mike out..(for videos).. dude..its a DSLR..not a camcorder..
3)No bracketing.... I don't even know what the hell that means...
4)pricey..yeah..like u'd get all those goodies in one package for a coupla grand
5)continuous shoot of 'only' 3fps.. well..i agree here..it could have been faster..esp for sports but I think its enuf considering this is ur first SLR an 'entry-level' one.
Every review in every magazine, internet site etc etc I've read...sez this is the best u can get as entry level. I agree 100%. nikon has simply blown away the competition.
For those who don't know.. there's a big rivalry between nikon and canon(like coke and pepsi) but as far as entry level DSLRs are concerned...well, in the words of the technoGods the Borg..Canon...RESISTANCE IS FUTILE. nikon wins!! Hands down!!
