D3100

Digital SLR ALL GEAR

I AM IN STORE

View the list of online retailers and stores that stock the D3100 with 2 Year Manufacturer Warranty

SIMILAR CAMERAS

D90
Professional technology, user-friendly functionality
COOLPIX P7000
The professional's compact that handles like a DSLR
D7000
I AM CREATIVE POWER

Product Tour

Easy-to-use and packed with features…the perfect first DSLR

*14.2 Megapixels | DX format | HD video | 7.5cm LCD

If you want to get more from your photography the D3100 is a great choice. With stunning images and full HD movies with full autofocus all in an easy-to-use body it’s the perfect upgrade from a compact camera or the ideal first DSLR.

Suitable for everyday photos and video, travel, family time and sporting action

Stunning images and video 14.2 Megapixel DX-Format CMOS sensor, ISO 100-3200, EXPEED 2 image engine

Assistance on the fly ‘Assist images’ show the effect of various camera settings, giving you an idea of the results they can expect with specified settings.

Thinks for you Equipped with the scene auto selector function, the D3100 automatically analyses the scene for you, selecting the appropriate mode from Portrait, Landscape, Close up or Night portrait.

Fast image processing with Nikon’s Expeed 2
Great quality – 11 point auto focus system
Full HD movie recording at the touch of a button
Guide mode teaches you as you shoot

AWARDS

D3100 - Best Digital SLR for Beginners

The D3100 is the best entry-level digital SLR currently available. A host of features and excellent image quality sends this camera to the top of the pack. Read More

D3100 TV Ad

View the D3100 TV Ad featuring Jamie Oliver

View now >>

Take your photography further

Introductory, intermediate and specialist classes

Nikon School offers a range of hands-on photography courses to suit a range of different skill levels to help you improve, whatever stage you’re at on your photography journey. Courses are currently held in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane by AIPP accredited photographers to provide some truly unique experiences.

Enrol online today >>

Recommended Lenses

AF-S DX 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR
Ideal for travel
Discover more

AF-S DX 10-24mm f3.5-4.5G ED
Ideal for landscapes
Discover more

AF-S DX 18-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR
Ideal for everyday
Discover more

AF-S DX 35mm f/1.8G
Ideal for portraits
Discover more

Comments

Features

New DX-format CMOS image sensor and image-processing engine, EXPEED 2, both developed by Nikon enable capture of high-definition images with superior image quality

The D3100 is equipped with a new Nikon DX-format CMOS image sensor and a new image-processing engine, EXPEED 2, both developed by Nikon. The CMOS image sensor offers an effective pixel count of 14.2-million pixels (D3000: CCD image sensor with 10.2-million effective pixels) and enables capture of high-definition images exhibiting superior image quality with extremely detailed rendering and rich tones.

The camera makes the most of its standard sensitivity settings up to ISO 3200 (D3000: ISO 100-1600) and additional increases up to Hi 2 (ISO 12800 equivalent), with shooting under dim lighting, such as in the evening or indoors, as well as with sports scenes of rapidly moving subjects.

EXPEED 2 is Nikon’s new image-processing engine, developed by refining the concepts, know-how and technologies regarding digital images that Nikon has spent years cultivating. It maximizes the performance of the CMOS image sensor to suppress noise in still images and movies and produces images that faithfully reproduce vivid colors.

A refined Guide mode that is even easier to use

Guide mode has been refined to make most camera operations even easier, from shooting to image playback and editing to the application of camera settings, regardless of the user’s skill level.

Assist images

The D3100 displays assist images that show the effect of various camera settings, giving users an idea of the results they can expect with specified settings. For example, when “Soften backgrounds” is selected and an aperture value is specified, the assist image displayed in the monitor changes to show the effect that aperture setting will have on images. This allows users to confirm that images will appear as they intended prior to shooting and reduces the number of unsuccessful shots.

Other new functions built into Guide mode

Selection from 3 shooting techniques: “Use the viewfinder,” “Use live view,” “Shoot movies”
“Bring more into focus” and “Show water flowing” options have been added to the “Advanced operation” menu for shooting
“Movie settings,” “HDMI,” “Flicker reduction” and “Eye-Fi upload”* options have been added to the “Set Up” menu for applying basic camera settings
*Only available when compatible Eye-Fi memory card is inserted

Live view mode that allows users to use the camera monitor to easily frame still image or movies

By simply rotating the live view switch, the view through the lens is displayed in the monitor, enabling immediate live view recording. This makes shooting feel more like shooting with a compact digital camera, easing the transition to digital-SLR for beginners. In addition, various information such as the shooting mode, time remaining (movie mode) and battery indicator, can be shown in the live view display.

D-Movie for recording and editing full-HD movies and AF-F (full-time servo AF) focus mode for movie recording

The D3100 is equipped with the D-Movie function that enables recording of high-definition movies (with monaural sound) by simply pressing the movie-record button. Movies can be recorded with the same aperture and other settings applied in Guide mode, and movies that take full advantage of the characteristics of individual interchangeable lenses, whether wide-angle, telephoto or fisheye, can be recorded for movies that are only possible with a digital-SLR camera. In addition, the camera also offers an AF-F (full-time servo AF) focus mode for movie recording. When AF-F mode is enabled, the camera focuses continuously during movie recording without the need for holding the shutter-release button down halfway. The D3100 also offers in-camera movie editing functions that allow users to save a single frame as a still image or delete unnecessary portions from the beginning or end of movie files.

Scene auto selector built in

The D3100 is equipped with the scene auto selector function. When live view mode is enabled in Auto or Auto (flash off) mode, the camera automatically analyzes the scene and selects the appropriate shooting mode from Portrait, Landscape, Close up or Night portrait.* This function allows users achieve the intended images while leaving all settings up to the camera.
*Scene auto selector is disabled with manual focusing.

Other features

Equipped with a face detection function capable of detecting up to 35 human faces (D3000: up to 5 faces)
Operation has been improved with the addition of an independent movie-record button and release-mode selector. In addition, the rubber grip provides a better fit.
Equipped with a Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) bus that enables remote control playback of images and movies recorded with the camera when the camera is connected to a high-definition TV
Equipped with a new exposure compensation algorithm for greater flexibility and performance with NEF (RAW) processing
The new ViewNX 2 software is bundled with the D3100

Tech Specs

Type of Camera	Single-lens reflex digital camera
Type – Lens mount	Nikon F mount (with AF contacts)
Type – Effective angle of view	Approximately 1.5x lens focal length (Nikon DX format) Front-curtain sync Supports high sensitivities Movies, live view Nikon DX-format sized CMOS sensor Power-saving design
Image sensor – Effective pixels	14.2 million pixels
Image sensor – Total pixels	14.8 million pixels
Image sensor – Dust-reduction system	Image sensor cleaning, Image Dust Off reference data (optional Capture NX 2 software required)
Storage – Noise reduction	Processing to reduce noise is performed at all ISO sensitivity settings, and for pictures taken at shutter speeds slower than 8 s. If “Off” is selected, noise reduction will only be performed at high ISO sensitivities; the amount of noise reduction is less than that performed when “On” is selected.
Storage – Image size (pixels)	4,608 × 3,072 (L) 3,456 × 2,304 (M) 2,304 × 1,536 (S)
Storage – File Format	NEF (compressed RAW) JPEG: JPEG-Baseline compliant with fine (approx. 1 : 4), normal (approx. 1 : 8), or basic (approx. 1 : 16) compression Simultaneous recording of compressed RAW and JPEG fine image possible
Storage – Media	SD (Secure Digital), SDHC, SDXC, and Eye-Fi memory cards
Storage – A/D conversion bit count	12-bit
Storage – Picture Control System	Can be selected from Standard, Neutral, Vivid, Monochrome, Landscape, Portrait; selected Picture Control can be modified
Storage – File system	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
Storage – Image comment	Up to 36 alphanumeric characters can be input using the camera monitor and multi selector (contained in Exif header)
Viewfinder	Eye-level pentamirror single-lens reflex viewfinder. New superimposed display and BriteView Clear Matte Mark VII screen are used for a viewfinder that is bright and clear to peripheries.
Viewfinder – Frame coverage	Approx. 95% horizontal and 95% vertical
Viewfinder – Magnification	Approximately 0.8x (50mm f/1.4 lens at infinity, -1.0 m-1)
Viewfinder – Eyepoint	18 mm (-1.0 m-1)
Viewfinder – Diopter adjustment	-1.7 to +0.5 m-1
Viewfinder – Focusing Screen	Type B Brite View Clear Matte Mark VII screen
Viewfinder – Reflex mirror	Quick return type
Viewfinder – Lens aperture	Instant return, electronically controlled
Compatible lenses	AF-S or AF-I NIKKOR: All functions supported. Type G or D AF NIKKOR without built-in autofocus motor: All functions except autofocus supported. Other AF NIKKOR without built-in autofocus motor: All functions supported except autofocus and 3D color matrix metering II. IX NIKKOR and F3AF: Not supported. Type D PC lenses: All functions supported except autofocus and some shooting modes. AI-P NIKKOR: All functions supported except autofocus and 3D color matrix metering II. Non-CPU: Autofocus not supported. Can be used in exposure mode M, but exposure meter does not function. Electronic rangefinder can be used if lens has a maximum aperture of f/5.6 or faster.
Shutter – Type	Electronically controlled, vertical-travel focal-plane shutter
Shutter – Speed	1/4000 to 30 s in steps of 1/3 EV, bulb
Shutter – Flash sync speed	X=1/200 s; synchronizes with shutter at 1/200 s or slower
Shutter – Release time lag	Approximately 110 ms
Shutter – Viewfinder blackout	Not released
Release mode	Single frame, continuous, self-timer, quiet shutter release
Release – Frame advance rate	Up to 3 fps (manual focus, mode M or S, shutter speed 1/250 s or faster, and other settings at default values)
Release – Self-timer	2 s, 10 s
Exposure – Metering	TTL exposure metering using 420-pixel RGB sensor
Exposure – Metering method	Matrix: 3D color matrix metering II (type G and D lenses); color matrix metering II (other CPU lenses) Center-weighted: Weight of 75% given to 8-mm circle in center of frame Spot: Meters 3.5 mm circle (about 2.5 % of frame) centered on selected focus point
Exposure – Range (ISO 100, f/1.4 lens, 20 °C/68 °F)	Matrix or center-weighted metering: 0 to 20 EV Spot metering: 2 to 20 EV
Exposure – Exposure meter coupling	CPU
Exposure – Mode	Auto modes (auto, auto (flash off); scene modes (portrait, landscape, child, sports, close up, night portrait); programmed auto with flexible program (P); shutter-priority auto (S); aperture-priority auto (A); manual (M)
Exposure compensation	-5 to +5 EV in increments of 1/3 EV
Exposure lock	Luminosity locked at detected value with AE-L/AF-L button
Exposure – ISO sensitivity (Recommended Exposure Index)	ISO 100 to 3200 in steps of 1 EV; can also be set to approx. 2 EV above ISO 3200 (ISO 12800 equivalent); auto ISO sensitivity control available
Exposure – Active D-Lighting	Can be selected from on or off
Focus – Autofocus	Nikon Multi-CAM 1000 autofocus sensor module with TTL phase detection, 11 focus points (including one cross-type sensor), and AF-assist illuminator (range approx. 0.5-3 m/1 ft. 8 in.-9 ft. 10 in.)
Focus – Depth of Field Preview Button	Yes
Focus – Detection range	-1 to +19 EV (ISO 100 at 20°C/68°F)
Focus – 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 Manual focus (MF): Electronic rangefinder can be used
Focus – AF-area mode	Single-point AF, dynamic-area AF, auto-area AF, 3D-tracking (11 points)
Focus – Focus lock	Focus can be locked by pressing shutter-release button halfway (single-servo AF) or by pressing AE-L/AF-L button
Flash – Built-in flash	Guide number of approximately 12/39, 13/43 with manual flash (m/ft, ISO 100, 20°C/68°F) Auto, portrait, child, close up, night portrait: Auto flash with auto pop-up P, S, A, M: Manual pop-up with button release
Flash – Flash control	TTL: i-TTL balanced fill-flash and standard i-TTL flash for digital SLR using 420-pixel RGB sensor i-TTL balanced fill-flash is available with built-in flash and SB-900, SB-800, SB-600, or SB-400 when matrix or center-weighted metering is selected Standard i-TTL is available with built-in flash and SB-900, SB-800, SB-600, or SB-400 when spot metering is selected (Flash mode can be set using Speedlight controls with SB-900, SB-800, and SB-600) Auto aperture: Available with SB-900/SB-800 and CPU lens Non-TTL auto: Supported flash units include SB-900, SB-800, SB-80DX, SB-28DX, SB-28, SB-27, and SB-22S Distance-priority manual: Available with SB-900 and SB-800
Flash – Angle of coverage	Sufficient to illuminate the angle of view of an 18 mm lens. Picture edges may be slightly dark depending upon conditions, such as the lens used and the aperture setting.
Flash – Flash mode	Auto, portrait, child, close up: Auto, auto with red-eye reduction, off available with built-in flash. Fill-flash and red-eye reduction available with optional flash units Night portrait: Auto slow sync, auto slow sync with red-eye reduction, off available with built-in flash. Slow sync and slow sync with red-eye reduction available with optional flash units Landscape, sports: Fill-flash and red-eye reduction available with optional flash units P, A: Fill-flash, rear-curtain with slow sync, slow sync, slow sync with red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction S, M: Fill-flash, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction
Flash – Flash compensation	-3 to +1 EV in increments of 1/3 EV
Flash – Flash-ready indicator	Lights when built-in flash or optional flash unit such as SB-900, SB-800, SB-600, SB-400, SB-80DX, SB-28DX, or SB-50DX is fully charged; blinks for 3 s after flash is fired at full output
Flash – Accessory shoe	AS-15 sync terminal adapter (available separately)
Flash – Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS)	Advanced Wireless Lighting supported with SB-900, SB-800, or SU-800 as commander Flash color information communication supported with built-in flash and all CLS-compatible flash units
White balance	Auto (TTL white balance with main image sensor and 420-pixel RGB sensor); incandescent, fluorescent (7 types), direct sunlight, flash, cloudy, shade, preset manual, all except preset manual with fine tuning.
Live View – Lens servo	Autofocus (AF): Single-servo AF (AF-S); full-time-servo AF (AF-F) Manual focus (MF)
Live View – AF-area mode	Face-priority AF, wide-area AF, normal-area AF, subject-tracking AF
Live View – Autofocus	Contrast-detect AF anywhere in frame (camera selects focus point automatically when face-priority AF or subject-tracking AF is selected)
Live View – Exposure	Determined with matrix metering utilizing output from the image sensor
Live View – Flicker reduction	Can be selected from 50 Hz and 60 Hz
Live View – Scene auto selection	Available in auto and auto flash off modes
Movie recording – File format	MOV
Movie recording – Video compression	H.264/MPEG-4 Advanced Video Coding
Movie recording – Audio recording format	Linear PCM
Movie recording – Audio (Sound)	Monaural microphone built in. Can be set to on or off.
Movie recording – Exposure	Exposure determined with matrix metering utilizing output from the image sensor Exposure lock available (except in auto and auto flash off modes) Exposure compensation available in P, S, A modes
Movie recording – Flicker reduction	Can be selected from 50 Hz and 60 Hz
Movie recording – File size	The file size of a 5-minute movie recorded at a size of “1920×1080” is approximately 700 MB. The file size of a 5-minute movie recorded at a size of “1280×720; 30 fps” is approximately 400 MB. The file size of a 5-minute movie recorded at a size of “1280×720; 25 fps” is approximately 400 MB. The file size of a 5-minute movie recorded at a size of “1280×720; 24 fps” is approximately 320 MB. The file size of a 5-minute movie recorded at a size of “640×424; 24 fps” is approximately 170 MB.
Monitor	3-in. (7.5cm)., approx. 230k-dot TFT LCD with 17° viewing angle, 100% frame coverage (in playback mode), and brightness adjustment
Playback	Full-frame playback Movie playback Thumbnail (4, 9, or 72 images or calendar) playback Playback zoom (image size L up to approx. 27x, M up to approx. 20x, S up to approx. 14x) Faces (up to 35) detected during zoom are indicated by white borders. Different faces can be displayed by pressing multi selector left/right buttons. Slide show Histogram display Highlights display Auto image rotation Image comment (up to 36 characters)
Retouch functions	D-Lighting, red-eye correction, trim, monochrome, filter effects, color balance, small picture, image overlay, NEF (RAW) processing, quick retouch, straighten, distortion control, fisheye, color outline, perspective control, miniature effect, edit movie
Interface – USB	Hi-Speed USB; PTP transfer protocol. USB hubs not supported
Interface – Video output	Can be selected from NTSC and PAL; images can be displayed on external device while camera monitor is on
Interface – HDMI output	Equipped with Type C HDMI connector; camera monitor turns off when HDMI cable is connected
Interface – Accessory terminal	Remote cord: MC-DC2 (available separately). GPS unit: GP-1 (available separately)
Supported languages	Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish
Power source – Battery	One rechargeable Li-ion EN-EL14 battery (supplied)
Power source – Battery life	Single-frame release mode (CIPA standard1): Approximately 550 shots Continuous release mode (Nikon standard2): Approximately 2,000 shots 1 – Measured at 23°C/73.4 °F (± °C/3.6 °F) with an AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens under the following test conditions: lens cycled from infinity to minimum range and one photograph taken at default settings once every 30 s; after photograph is taken, monitor is turned on for 4 s; tester waits for exposure meters to turn off after monitor is turned off; flash fired at full power once every other shot. Live view not used. . 2 – Measured at 20 C/ 68F with an AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens under the following test conditions: vibration reduction off, continuous release mode, focus mode set to AF-C, image quality set to JPEG basic, image size set to M (medium), white balance set to auto, ISO sensitivity set to ISO 100, shutter speed 1/250 s, focus cycled from infinity to minimum range three times after shutter-release button has been pressed halfway for 3 s; six shots are then taken in succession and monitor turned on for 4 s and then turned off; cycle repeated once exposure meters have turned off. The number of shots that can be taken varies with the condition of the battery, temperature, and how the camera is used. The following can reduce battery life: Using the monitor (e.g. in live view mode) Keeping the shutter-release button pressed halfway Repeated autofocus operations Taking NEF (RAW) photographs Slow shutter speeds Using the GPS Unit GP-1 Using VR (vibration reduction) mode with VR lenses
Power source – AC adapter	EH-5a AC adapter; requires EP-5A power connector (available separately)
Power-up time	Approx. 0.15 s
Tripod socket	1/4 in. (ISO 1222)
Dimensions (W x H x D)	Approx.124 × 96 × 74.5 mm (4.9 × 3.8 × 2.9 in.)
Weight	Approx. 500 g (1 lb. 1.6 oz.) with battery and memory card but without body cap. Approx. 450 g/15.9 oz. (camera body only)
Material	Plastic (stainless steel frame used inside camera body)
Durability	Body and shutter unit both durable up to approximately 100,000 cycles.
System requirements – Temperature	0-40 C (+32-104 F)
System requirements – Humidity	Less than 85% (no condensation)
Accessories – Supplied	Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL14 Battery Charger MH-24 Rubber Eyecup DK-20 Strap AN-DC3 Body cap BF-1B Eyepiece Cap DK-5 Accessory shoe cover BS-1 Ferrite core (smaller core for USB cables) Ferrite core (larger core for A/V cables) ViewNX 2 CD
Accessories – Optional	GPS Unit GP-1 Photofinishing software Capture NX 2 (upgrade to latest version before using) USB Cable UC-E4 Audio Video Cable EG-D2 AC Adapter EH-5a Diopter-Adjustment Viewfinder Lens DK-20C Eyepiece Magnifier DG-2 Eyepiece Adapter DK-22 Right-Angle Viewing Attachment DR-6 CF-DC1 semi-soft case Sync Terminal Adapter AS-15

Shot on D3100

Trevor Hend…
trevorhendy
Added about 4 hours ago

TJ.JPG by Trevor Hendy, photographed with a NIKON D3100

Trevor Hend…
trevorhendy
Added about 4 hours ago

TJ and Jaali Thats my dad.JPG by Trevor Hendy, photographed with a NIKON D3100

Trevor Hend…
trevorhendy
Added about 4 hours ago

Strange dolphin d3100 55-300.JPG by Trevor Hendy, photographed with a NIKON D3100

Trevor Hend…
trevorhendy
Added about 4 hours ago

Trevor Hend…
trevorhendy
Added about 4 hours ago

Trevor Hend…
trevorhendy
Added about 4 hours ago

Father and daughter - jaali.JPG by Trevor Hendy, photographed with a NIKON D3100

Trevor Hend…
trevorhendy
Added about 4 hours ago

D3100 North Stradbroke Island.JPG by Trevor Hendy, photographed with a NIKON D3100

Trevor Hend…
trevorhendy
Added about 4 hours ago

Trevor Hend…
trevorhendy
Added about 4 hours ago

Elements
Oceanus
Added about 1 month ago

Elements
Oceanus
Added about 1 month ago

Elements
Christo1960
Added about 1 month ago

Elements
Oceanus
Added about 1 month ago

Elements
Christo1960
Added about 1 month ago

Day's Last Glimmer by Oceanus, photographed with a NIKON D3100

Elements
Oceanus
Added about 1 month ago

Elements
Christo1960
Added about 1 month ago

Waves by Happy_Snapper, photographed with a NIKON D3100

Elements
Happy_Snapper
Added about 1 month ago

Elements
CMagri
Added about 1 month ago

Reviews

CNET

Classified as one of CNET’s ‘Best DSLRs under $1,000’

PHOTO REVIEW -Editor’s Choice

Rating (out of 10):

Build: 8.5
Ease of use: 8.5
Autofocusing: Stills – 8.5; Video – 8.0
Image quality: Stills – 8.5; Video – 8.0
OVERALL: 8.5

read the full review

CNET – Editor’s Choice

Overall rating of 8.4 out of 10. “The D3100 is the best entry-level digital SLR currently available. A host of features and excellent image quality sends this camera to the top of the pack.”

read the full review