Nikon Coolpix 3100 Digital Camera Review
Nikon Coolpix 3100 Digital Camera
The COOLPIX 3100 is ideal for people who want an easy-to-use digital still camera that offers great image quality, and who are looking to get more fun out of digital photography. The camera’s compact body fits easily in a pocket for carry-anywhere portability. Featuring a 3x optical Zoom-Nikkor lens and 4x digital zoom, the COOLPIX 3100 provides excellent optical performance. Coupled with Nikon’s advanced image-processing algorithm, this ensures vibrant color, contrast and clarity in every picture.Shooting is simplified by general-use AUTO Mode and 14 Scene Modes, four of which offer a Scene Assistance function for perfectly composed pictures. The COOLPIX 3100 also features a Continuous Shooting mode and four Movie modes, including one capable of recording a clip as large as 640 x480 pixels. You can also take up to 40 seconds of smaller-size video in colour, B/W or sepia. In Macro Mode, the camera can shoot as close as 4cm from a subject and still get sharply focused shots. 3x optical Zoom Digital Camera featuring 3.2 effective megapixels 3.2 effective megapixels for 2,048 x 1,536-pixel images 3x optical Zoom-Nikkor lens with 5.8-17.4mm coverage (equivalent to 38-115mm in 35mm [135] camera format); digital zoom up to 4x magnification (12x when combined with optical zoom) Nikon’s advanced image-processing algorithm ensures faithful color reproduction Macro shooting capability as close as 4cm Simple buttons and interface enable easy operation, even for first-time digital users AUTO Mode for point-and-shoot operation 14 Scene Modes, including four with Scene Assistance function -- Scene Modes with Scene Assistance function (Portrait, Landscape, Sports, Night portrait); Other Scene Modes (Party/Indoor, Beach/Snow, Sunset, Dusk/Dawn, Night landscape, Closeup, Museum, Fireworks show, Copy and Back light) Four Movie Modes, including movie clips as large as 640 x 480 pixels Quick Review allows users to view captured images at the press of a button, even while the camera is in shooting mode Transfer function enables fast upload of selected COOLPIX 3100 image data to a computer via a USB connection Small Picture function creates smaller-size image data for e-mail attachments and web applications Date Imprint function adds the date to a picture at the time of shooting Image filters, including B/W, sepia and halo Versatile White Balance settings Automatic Noise Reduction function for superior images at slow shutter speeds Plug-and-play USB interface for smooth connection to a computer Bright, clear 1.5-inch, 110,000-dot, low-temperature polysilicon TFT LCD monitor.
The COOLPIX 3100 Camera is very, very good. Unless you're intending on becoming a pro photographer, this will be everything you need. Captures colour very well, images are always crisp.
Great for macro images and sports action. Nothing moving has ever appeared blurred with this camera. I tested it by taking photos of fans (some spinning at 7000 RPM) and the resulting images look as though the fan wasn't moving at all.. all lines were as crisp as you like.
Takes 30-second video clips, although without sound, but if you want a digital *video* camera..... buy one (Canon MV600 series is excellent).
Camera also has features where it displays a template on the viewfinder, very handy if you wish to take photos of things like a sunset where you want the horizon to be perfectlly horizontal.
Battery life is good. I picked up some 2300mAh (4 for £15-in jessops) cells, and I can get about 30 /40 pictures from them, depending on whether the flash is used or not.
All you need in a camera, don't bother with the 4 megapixel model as it's too bulky, and you won't need the extra quality. 2 Megapixels isn't enough on the other hand...
Note that the COOLPIX 3100 digital camera is supplied with a stingy 16Mb of memory.