Nikon Coolpix 3100 3MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom

by Nikon

Product Details

Product Manual [6.88mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 1.5 x 3.4 x 2.6 inches ; 5.3 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B00008J6VW
• Item model number: E3100
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (79 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #12,650 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: March 7, 2003

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

The Nikon Coolpix 3100 is a great choice for digital photography beginners, offering a compact size, 3.2-megapixel resolution, 3x optical zoom, and a bevy of automated scene controls that are customizeable.

One of the most impressive features of the Nikon 3100 is its size. From the online pictures we originally viewed, we imagined it to be large and a bit clunky. And while it’s a bit chunkier than other sleeker cameras, the 3100 is surprisingly small. Plus, the rounded ergonomic hand grip rested comfortably and securely in our hand.

The Nikon 3100 offers a whopping 14 scene modes that automatically set the camera’s white balance, exposure, and focusing point for different situations. The easy-to-learn software system features large icons and text to guide you through your choices. And some of the modes even provide an "assist" feature, with outlines of figures or landscapes to help line up the shot.

We had fun playing around with the scene modes and snapping pictures that made the most out of the shooting environment. However, we felt we lost some spontaneity if we relied too much on switching through the modes.

The 3.2-megapixel CCD sensor captures bright images that can be printed up to 11 x 14 inches. The movie mode captures smooth video up to 640 x 480 pixels for 20 seconds (or a more jaggy 40-second, 320 x 240-pixel videos), but it doesn’t offer any sound.

The Nikon 3100 is an affordable choice for a point-and-shoot camera that offers sharp, bright images and brings a lot of flexibility to the party. It comes with a starter 16 MB memory card and alkaline batteries, and we recommend a higher-capacity Compactflash card and rechargeable AA-size NiMH batteries. --Agen G.N. Schmitz

Pros:

• Compact size, comfortable in the hand
• Customizeable scene modes
• 3.2-megapixel resolution for prints up to 11 x 14 inches

Cons:

• Scene modes can be a bit too customizeable, and distract you from the shot

Product Description

x 6 MB CompactFlash up to 80 min battery F/2.8-4.9A compact lightweight digital still camera with 3.2 effective megapixels and a powerful 3x zoom lens the Coolpix 3100 is a friendly and versatile model eve

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

175 of 177 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Value, great pics, a bit frustrating on the fly, April 30, 2003

By 

Jeffrey R. Tilley Jr. "goatman_1" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nikon Coolpix 3100 3MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

I actually bought my Niko in Japan and it came with the NiMH batteries, which I'll get too later. I had intended on buying one of the newer Sony camera's, but after shopping around a little I found that Nikon had all the same features as the Sony equivelant and took better pictures. Sony pics look a little grainy, especially at large sizes. This is my first digital camera although I've had a digital video camera for almst 4 years.

Picture quality: first and foremost, the picture quality is very good and is easily of the best camras in the 3.2 meg range. I've worked to blow the pictures up, use them as screensavers, etc and they look immaculate on my 19" screen.

Scenes: I haven't had much call to use the scene function, but I have worked on the indoor/ outdoor settings, portrait and even took some pictures with the "snow" setting in a room that looked way too white. The scenes also utilize flash contol. Overall these are easy to use, although as Amazon notes, you probably won't have use for many of them.

Performance: Autofocus could be a little quicker and a little more responsive in my book. I've had problems with the camera not focusing during portraits and coming out all blurry. With the time it takes to autofocus, the time it takes to record and the time it takes to setup for the next pic, the shutter speed is moot. Usually though, the camera works very well, indoors and outdoors. Outdoor pics look amazing on a nice sunny day. The Flash is a pain and requires some tooling. Get too close and everything comes out white, portrait takes a little too long. Everything else is fine.

Batteries: My biggest complaint. Anyone out there expecting to get any kind of use out of regular batteries can dream on. Even the NiMH batteries die way too fast and require constant recharging. When the batteries get low, which is usually after 10 or so pics, the camera will auto shut down while the flash recharges. Very irritating when combined with the autofocus and the time it takes to record pics to the memory. Takes forever to get another shot off. I'm tempted to bring the review down to three stars over this one feature, but I haven't experimented with other batteries yet so I'm going to give it the benefit of the doubt.

Conveience: The size, features and computer to camera setup is top notch. I have windows XP and I didn't need to install any software to copy the pics to my hard drive. It was plug and play. I like that the camera uses compact flash cards while other companies are going to more expensive formats. I have an Epson printer that can copy pics of the CF cards and they lok amazing.

Value: about average for a camera in this class, and I think the pros outweight the cons. Lets face it, this is just above entry level and not the best camera on the market, but easily one of the best in it's price range. Having owned this one for a little over a month, I may decide not to skimp when I upgrade. Most of my complaints could be easily resolved if I were willing to shell out the extra dough. Great camera for vacations, parties and portability.

137 of 141 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pretty Damn good, May 17, 2003

By 

P.S. (Boston) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nikon Coolpix 3100 3MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

Ok, here is the truth. I bought this camara because I had a business trip to Japan. Wanted something small. Wanted something light. This camara delivers this. Before I bought it I read all the reviews...Now here is the truth. The pictures are great but a couple of points. 1) this is a small camara. That means you need a steadier hand than with a larger camara. 2) it has a dozen different picture settings, and they do make a difference especially in low light so you have to be fairly active with your settings 3) software is outdated, you must update from the Nikon website and it isn't the easiest process for the novice 4) No rechargable battery or case included 5) stupid 16 meg card included, you must upgrade 6)It does take up to six seconds to write the picture to the card, that is slow by digital standards

While this may sound like a lot of drawbacks here are the strengths 1) picture quality better than others 2)size, only the elph is smaller but this is much more comfortable3) nikon software is so simple both for picture modifications and red eye one touch 4) uploading to your computer or the nikon website is one touch and you get 50 megs online.

In my mind the pros outweigh the cons but you have to make the decision for yourself. I for one am happy with my choice.

46 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good product...good value, July 8, 2003

By 

Chris (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nikon Coolpix 3100 3MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

I decided to buy my first digital camera this summer, and I had narrowed it down to the canon s400 and the nikon 3100. Ultimately, I chose the Nikon because of the price difference, but I've been very satisfied with my choice.
The most common complaint I've heard is the battery life. I've used the camera on 6 or 8 separate occasions, and have filled my 128 mb memory card, and the original battery is still going strong. Just don't leave the camera on when you're not actively taking pictures and you'll be fine (though I'd still recommend keeping some spare NiMH batteries with you).
The scene modes can be useful--I took some great fireworks pictures over the 4th of July with that scene mode, and the backlight mode works well too. However, sometimes you need to take a picture quickly, and then they just get in the way.
The other complaint I've heard is the flash (i.e. the multiple flashes that are annoying and make the camera take too long to take a picture). That problem is easily solved...just turn from red-eye reduction mode to standard flash mode. Then, if you get red-eye, just fix it on your computer.
Which leads me to my one complaint about the camera. The imaging software that came with it was a pain to use, and didn't give great results when you try to edit the photos. I upgraded to Photoshop Elements, and haven't had any problems since.
The size of the camera is perfect...small enough to carry around easily, but big enough to still hold steadily. The grip feels good, and the zoom/shutter buttons are well placed so you can use them with just one finger.
The picture quality is great...everything I'd expect from a Nikon (esp. with the Nikkor lens). I've been using some of my pics as desktop backgrounds (at 1600x1200), and they still look great. I can't wait to get my first set of prints back!
Overall this is a great little camera...no regrets, and I've got more cash in my pocket than if I'd bought the Canon