Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I was never one to take pictures until I got the CoolPix. Now I can't stop! I take it everywhere. It is easy to use and takes great pictures. On my vacation through the Pacific northwest, we visited all the volcanos in the area and took some phenomenal shots of all of them as well as a gorgeous waterfall and the Redwoods. My friends commented that my pictures look like something you'd see on a postcard! It is important to get the rechargeable batteries because you'll blow through AAs like water. I also chose a 128 CF card and it gave me enough memory for my entire 2 weeks worth of pictures. If you get a case for it, be careful not to inadvertantly turn the mode dial while taking it in and out. If you aren't aware what happened you'll wonder why you're in set up mode. My only frustration is that it has a long delay from when you turn it on to when it is ready to take pictures. But if you know that and are allowing for it, you'll never miss a great shot. This camera is top notch and even a novice like me can take great pictures with it!

I just love my Nikon Coolpix 3100! It does everything it says it should and I have had no problems with it. I was able to buy a large memory card for fairly cheap and have been taking tons of pictures ever since the day I bought it. We used to have a Kodak Easyshare, and to tell you the truth, my husband never saw what was easy about it. Perhaps it was too easy!! This little camera takes great pictures, the zoom is just right. I would suggest this camera to anyone who just wants it for nice family and friends candids.

The Nikon 3100 received terrific reviews. It is my second digital camera, I got it for the small size and portability to use as a backup to my other camera. I keep 4 rechargeable AA batteries on hand at all times. Best of all, the photo quality is pretty good, for the price range. The zoom is great and there are lots of settings that are useful including macro and beach settings.

I am very pleased with this camera. The wife needed a smaller point and shoot than the Kodak 2MP she had been using. It is small about 1/2 the size of a Kodak 3400 and MUCH lighter. The large mode dial on the top right of the camera is easy to turn and use the ICONS that represent different modes i.e. Manual, Auto , Movie,Setup,Scenes and Portrait assist. Do READ the manual it does really explain.
The buttons on the back of the camera are intuitive but a quick read of the printed manual helps.
The pictures are excellent. Although I did not use a Kodak Color chart they are on the money. I did some close ups of flowers without the tripod in daylight and was amazed at how sharp the inside of the flower looked. As with any small mega pixel camera always shoot the highest resolution even though you are not intending to make 8x10 you willbe pleased with the result. The 16MB card that comes with it will hold about 9 high resolution images. It would be wise to buy a 64 MB or larger.
Do use the NIMH rechargable batteries as alkaline are not recomended. We used 1800mAh double A and they held up quite well. It does have Sports assist mode that will take 3 frames every 2 seconds but have not tried that mode.

The refurbished camera malfunctioned after only 3 uses. Since 30 days had passed, Amazon.com refused to refund our money. I understand that they state this in their policy, but why do they also not state that the refurbished cameras are basically junk that will malfunction after only a few uses. Our only option was to send the camera to the Nikon warranty center. This resulted in us not having the camera for taking pictures during a birthday party (we're still waiting to hear from Nikon about our camera!). The aggravation and hassle of dealing with amazon.com and Nikon, plus the cost of sending the camera prepaid for service, plus not having the use of the camera during an important event are definitely not worth the savings in price. Lesson leant: Junk by any other name (including "refurbished") is still junk! Save your money and hassles - buy new.