Remanufactured Nikon Coolpix 3100 3MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom

by Nikon

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0009LEC54
• Item model number: 3100
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #27,297 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: May 5, 2005

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

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 itÕs 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 cameraÕs 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 doesnÕt 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

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Camera stopped working after 1 day: save your time and money, November 3, 2005

By 

Rom (Seattle) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

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

A Nikon 3 megapixel camera for $129? Too good to be true? You bet. The camera worked fine for a day, but then started to turning off intermittently. It refused to take photos and would not play back images. It also eats through batteries. I'm currently returning it via Amazon's excellent 30 day return policy.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Battery and battery box issue, October 24, 2005

By 

Yasunori Hayashi "Yasunori Hayashi" (Boston, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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

I bought two of this camera. I like it although there are issues.

I bought one 2 years ago. But recently, the lid for the battery box broke down. There is a small plastic parts which hold the lid when it is closed and that part is broken. I did some internet search and I see a couple of other people who have the same issue. So this part may be a weak point of this camera. I got estimate for repair and I was told it will cost $30 for parts and $75 for labor. We have to replace all front part of the camera.

Then I decided to buy another one of this because I do not want to waiste the memory card and rechargeabel batteries (and I also liked this camera). For that, Amazon's refurbished one gives a reasonable price. But somehow it comes with just two alkaline battery, which cannot be used with this camera. According to the accessory list, a Li battery should be supplied. I tried the supplied alikaline battery but with a few shoot, it ran out. I do not know why Amazon supplies such battery. I called Nikon and after a hold a while, the rep I talked was happy to give me Li battery and in fact they supplied two of them and with a calculator with Nikon logo.

Overall, I am happy with this camera but you may want to be careful about the battery lid. Also, if you buy refurbished one from Amazon, you should get Li battery from Nikon. The supplied one cannot be used.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Junk -- not up to Nikon remanufacturing or Amazon (customer service) standards -- get the 4600 new instead, January 7, 2006

By 

guy in denver (Denver, CO United States) - See all my reviews

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

While my past experience is that Nikon reconditioned/remanufactured products are impeccable and great values (I have a 2500 and love it), this camera is to be AVOIDED. I originally bought this for a friend, as I had alot of the necessary compactflash-related accessories that the camera uses.

The issue is that, while Nikon represents the camera to be "like new" after its inspection, the one I ordered was missing the metal bar that holds the included carrying strap....sounds like a petty detail but if you think about it -- especially with such a delicate and mobile piece of electronics -- a secure carrying strap is essential. (I mean, it aint like a toaster is going on vacation with you.) Adding to insult -- so far -- is that Amazon arbitrarily decided to issue a partial refund (perhaps recouping its shipping and return-shipping costs???) despite this issue being clearly noted and the return being well within the return time-period guidelines; in the past Amazon customer service has been excellent, so hopefully this issue will be resolved.

Even if this item does become available again, AVOID it because, unlike usual Nikon remanufactured quality, this item cannot be trusted (and then you may have to go through the same refund hassle that I'm going through). My friend ended up instead ordering the Nikon 4600 brand-new from Amazon (only $20 more now was only $10 more at the holidays vs. this camera's price) -- and loves it. So a good ending as far as the friend and his gift camera and a (so far) bad ending as far as my good-faith return of an obviously defective camera.