Overview

The stunningly simple-to-use D3100 is every family's answer to beautiful images. Whether the moment calls for a family portrait or a sharp shot of toddlers on the run, Guide Mode shows you how to capture stunning photos in no time at all. D-Movie lets you record full HD movie clips and capture the action in superb quality day or night.

Nikon’s advanced EXPEED 2 image processing engine maximizes the performance of the 14.2 megapixel CMOS sensor for amazingly clear images with vivid colors. Incredibly lightweight for an SLR, the D3100 makes it easy to capture your family looking wonderful wherever you go.

• 14.2 megapixel DX-format CMOS image sensor
• EXPEED 2: Nikon's advanced image processing engine
• High ISO (100-3200) light sensitivity - extendable up to 12800
• GUIDE mode: intuitive in-camera assistance
• D-Movie: full HD (1920 x 1080) movie clips

Key Features

14.2 megapixel DX-format CMOS image sensor delivers lifelike images with vivid colors, reduced noise and smooth tonal gradations.

EXPEED 2 image processing engine provides enhanced movie recording, high-sensitivity performance and maximum image quality.

High ISO (100-3200) light sensitivity - extendable up to 12800: features an Auto ISO setting and is manually extendable up to ISO 12800 using the Hi2 setting. Enables faster shutter speeds, significantly reducing the risk of blurred images when you shoot fast-moving subjects or take pictures in low light.

GUIDE mode: quick and easy-to-use in-camera assistance. Asks you about the picture you want to take and automatically optimizes settings for superior results. Sample images appear on the display to show you what will happen to your image if you apply the suggested settings.

D-Movie – full HD (1920 x 1080) movie clips: record beautiful high-definition (HD) movie clips with sound. The camera’s large image sensor and high ISO sensitivity offer exceptional image quality. NIKKOR lenses can be used to obtain cinematic effects and you can make simple edits of your clips in-camera by deleting scenes or saving specific frames as still images.

Live View with Scene Auto Selector: makes it easy to compose images using the LCD monitor. Scene Auto Selector will select the best mode for the scene and subject you want to capture, and Fulltime servo AF (AF-F) mode keeps subjects in focus without the need to press the shutter release button.

Large 7.5 cm (3-inch), high-resolution LCD monitor makes it easy to view essential camera information, and a pleasure to review and edit your photos and movies.

Razor-sharp 11-point Autofocus system offers fast and precise autofocus coverage across the frame. Four AF-area modes, including 3D-tracking AF, deliver sharp results, whether your subject is off-center, moving fast or completely unpredictable.

Active D-Lighting automatically retains details in highlights and shadows for stunning images with natural contrast.

Picture Controls lets you set the look and mood of your images before you shoot. Choose from six settings: Standard, Vivid, Neutral, Monochrome, Portrait and Landscape.

Extensive in-camera editing functions let you edit and enhance images and movies in the camera. Offers techniques such as Red-Eye Correction and Quick Retouch, as well as a range of Filter Effects.

Dual Integrated dust reduction system: Image Sensor Cleaning and Airflow Control systems keep dust away from the camera’s image sensor for clear, spot-free images.

Lightweight body and superior ergonomics: a secure grip makes the camera comfortable to handle. Dedicated controls for frequently used functions like Live View, D-Movie and shutter release make it a joy to operate.

Full Specifications
 

Type

Single-lens reflex digital camera

Lens Mount

Nikon F bayonet mount

Picture Angle

Effective picture angle 1.5x (Approx.) conversion factor (Nikon DX format)

Effective Pixels

14.2 million

Sensor Size

23.1 x 15.4mm

Image Sensor Format

DX

Image Sensor Type

CMOS

Total Pixels

14.8 million

Dust-reduction system

Image sensor cleaning Airflow Control System Image Dust Off reference data (optional Capture NX 2 software required)

Image Area (pixels)

DX-format (L) 4608 x 3072 (M) 3456 x 2304 (S) 2304 x 1536

File Format

NEF (RAW) JPEG: JPEG-Baseline compliant with fine (approx 1:4), normal (approx 1:8), or basic (approx 1:16) compression NEF (RAW) + JPEG: Single photograph recorded in both NEF (RAW) and JPEG formats

Picture Control

Landscape Monochrome Neutral Portrait Selected Picture Control can be modified Standard Vivid

Storage Media

SD SDHC SDXC

Card Slot

1 Secure Digital (SD)

File System

Compliant with DCF (Design Rule for Camera File System) 2.0 DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) EXIF 2.21 (Exchangeable Image File Format for Digital Still Cameras PictBridge

Viewfinder

Eye-level pentamirror single-lens reflex viewfinder

Viewfinder Frame Coverage

95% horizontal 95% verticalApprox.

Viewfinder Magnification

0.80x Approx.

Viewfinder Eyepoint

18mm (-1.0m⁻¹)

Viewfinder Diopter Adjustment

-1.7 to +0.5m⁻¹

Focusing Screen

Type B BriteView Clear Matte Mark VII screen

Reflex Mirror

Quick-return type

Lens Aperture

Instant-return type electronically controlled

Lens Compatibility at a Glance***

AF-S Lens Required for Autofocus

Compatible Lenses

AF-NIKKOR for F3AF not supported AF-S, AF-I: All functions supported AI-P NIKKOR: All functions supported except autofocus and 3D Color Matrix Metering II Electronic Rangefinder usable with lens with maximum aperture of f/5.6 or faster IX Nikkor lenses cannot be used Non-CPU: Can be used in mode M, but exposure meter does not function; Electronic Rangefinder can be used if maximum aperture is f/5.6 or faster Other AF NIKKOR: All functions supported except autofocus and 3D color matrix metering II Type G or D AF NIKKOR not equipped with an autofocus motor: All functions supported except autofocus Type D PC NIKKOR: All functions supported except autofocus and some shooting modes.

Shutter type

Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane

Shutter Speed

1/4000 to 30 sec. in steps of 1/3 EV Bulb

Fastest Shutter Speed

1/4000 sec. in steps of 1/3 EV

Slowest Shutter Speed

30 sec. in steps of 1/3 1/2 1 EV

Flash Sync Speed

Up to 1/200 sec. Synchronizes with shutter at 1/200s or slower

Shutter Release Modes

Continuous Quiet Shutter Release Self-timer mode Single-frame [S] mode

Frame Advance Rate

Up to 3 fps (manual focus, mode M or S, shutter speed 1/250 sec or faster, and other settings at default values)

Top Continuous Shooting Speed at full resolution

3 frames per second

Self-timer

2 sec. 10 sec. Timer duration electronically controlled

Exposure Metering System

TTL exposure metering using 420-pixel RGB sensor

Metering Method

Center-weighted: Weight of 75% given to 8-mm circle in center of frame Matrix: 3D color matrix metering II (type G and D lenses); color matrix metering II (other CPU lenses) Spot: Meters 3.5-mm circle (about 2.5% of frame) centered on selected focus point

Metering Range

0 to 20 EV (Matrix or center-weighted metering at ISO 100 equivalent, f/1.4 lens, at 20°C/68°F) 2 to 20 EV (Spot metering at ISO 100 equivalent, f/1.4 lens at 20°C/68°F)

Exposure Meter Coupling

CPU

Exposure Modes

Aperture-Priority Auto (A) Auto modes ( auto, auto [flash off]) Manual (M) Programmed Auto with flexible Program (P) Scene Modes Shutter-Priority Auto (S)

Scene Modes

Child Close-up Landscape Night Portrait Portrait Sports

Exposure Compensation

±5 EV in increments of 1/3EV

Exposure Lock

Luminosity locked at detected value with AE-L/AF-L button

Mirror Lock Up

Yes (for image sensor cleaning)

ISO Sensitivity

ISO 100 - 3200 Hi-1 (ISO 6400) Hi-2 (ISO 12,800)

Lowest Standard ISO Sensitivity

100 in steps of 1 EV

Highest Standard ISO Sensitivity

3200 in steps of 1 EV

Highest Expanded ISO Sensitivity

2 EV above ISO 3200 (ISO 12800 equivalent)

Expanded ISO Sensitivity Options

1 EV above ISO 3200 (ISO 6400 equivalent) 2 EV above ISO 3200 (ISO 12800 equivalent) Approx. Auto ISO sensitivity control available

Active D-Lighting

On Off

Dynamic AF Mode

Number of AF points: 11 (3D-tracking)

Auto-area AF Mode

Yes

Autofocus System

Nikon Multi-CAM 1000 autofocus sensor module with TTL phase detection

Detection Range

-1 to 19 EV (ISO 100, 68°F/20°C)

Lens Servo

Autofocus (AF): Single-servo AF (AF-S); continuous-servo AF (AF-C); auto AF-S/AF-C selection (AF-A); predictive focus tracking activated automatically according to subject status

 
Overview - Lens (1

18-55mm f/3.5-5.6GII AF-S DX NIKKOR

Ultra-compact and lightweight zoom lens with high quality optics designed for use with the Nikon DX Format Digital SLRs. Its 3X zoom provides superb versatility in a wide variety of shooting situations

• Popular zoom range coverage from 18 to 55mm (35mm equivalent: 27-82.5mm), perfect for everything from everyday images to breathtaking landscape shots.
• Exceptionally high optical performance designed specifically for use with Nikon digital SLR sensors.
• Nikon's exclusive SWM (Silent Wave Motor) for fast, precise, and super-quiet operation.
• ED glass and aspherical lens elements minimize chromatic aberration, astigmatism, and other forms of distortion, while ensuring high resolution and contrast.
• Focus Mode switch enables quick-switching between A (Autofocus) and M (Manual Focus).
• 7 Blade rounded diaphragm makes out-of-focus elements blend together smoothly for natural-looking backgrounds.
• Outstanding cost performance.

Key Features 

Focal length
18-55mm (picture angle equivalent to 27-82.5mm lens in 35mm format)
Maximum aperture
f/3.5-5.6
Minimum aperture
f/22-38
Lens construction
7 elements in 5 groups (one ED glass element and one aspherical lens element)
Picture angle
76° - 28°50'
Minimum focus range
0.28m (0.9 ft.) (through the entire zoom range)
Attachment size
52mm
Dimensions (approx.)
70.5 x 74.0mm (2.7 x 2.9 in.)
Weight (approx.)
205g (7.2 oz.)
Included accessories
52mm Snap-on front lens cap (LC-52)

Specifications

Mount Type

Nikon F-Bayonet

Focal Length Range

18-55mm

Zoom Ratio

3.1x

Maximum Aperture

f/3.5

Minimum Aperture

f/22

Format

DX

Maximum Angle of View (DX-format)

76°

Minimum Angle of View (DX-format)

28°50'

Maximum Reproduction Ratio

0.31x

Lens Elements

11

Lens Groups

8

Compatible Format(s)

DX FX in DX Crop Mode

VR (Vibration Reduction) Image Stabilization

Yes

Diaphragm Blades

7

Distance Information

Yes

Aspherical Elements

1

Super Integrated Coating

Yes

Autofocus

Yes

AF-S (Silent Wave Motor)

Yes

Minimum Focus Distance

0.9ft.(0.28m)

Focus Mode

Auto Manual

G-type

Yes

Filter Size

52mm

Accepts Filter Type

Screw-on

Dimensions

(Approx.)2.9x3.1 in. (Diameter x Length) 73x79mm (Diameter x Length)

Weight

(Approx.)9.3 oz. (265g)

 

Overview - Lens (2
AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR

Compact 5.5X DX-format telephoto zoom lens with High Refractive Index lens element and ED glass is Ideal for capturing distant subjects at athletic events, family pictures, dramatic sunsets, travel and more. VR II image stabilization for handheld shooting at up to 4 shutter speeds slower than would otherwise be possible, assuring dramatically sharper still images and stable video capture.

Key Features

Compact DX-format zoom lens with High Refractive Index lens element, ED glass and VR II image stabilization
Expanded photo and video opportunities that's designed to bring the action closer to the photographer.

Nikon VR II Image Stabilization
Vibration Reduction, engineered specifically for each VR NIKKOR lens, enables handheld shooting at up to 4 shutter speeds slower than would otherwise be possible, assuring dramatically sharper still images
and video capture.

HRI (High Refractive Index) Lens Element
HRI lens element is essential to keeping the lens compact while offering high contrast even at maximum aperture.

Exclusive Nikon Silent Wave Motor (SWM)
Enables fast, accurate and quiet autofocus.

Minimum focus distance to 4.6 feet at all focal lengths

5.5X Telephoto Zoom lens
Ideal for capturing distant subjects at athletic events, family pictures, dramatic sunsets, travel and more. Angle of view equivalent to a focal length of 82.5 to 450mm in FX/35mm format D-SLR.

Tripod Detection Mode
Reduces vibration, that may occur due to shutter release when mounted on a tripod.

2 Extra-low Dispersion (ED) Elements
Effectively minimizes chromatic aberration, even at the widest aperture settings.

Nikon Super Integrated Coating (SIC)
Enhances light transmission efficiency and offers superior color consistency and reduces flare.

Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm
Renders more natural appearance of out-of-focus image areas.