Nikon Coolpix 3100 Review

AUTO record mode screen display. The Zoom indicator displays briefly whenever the Zoom is operated. The ISO icon indicates that the camera has increased the sensitivity to offset lower lighting conditions. The "3M*" icon indicates the image resolution is 2048x1536 at High quality. Flash is set to Auto and will fire when needed and there's 309 pictures remaining at the current image resolution.

In AUTO mode you can change the image quality/size, flash mode or exposure compensation, you can enable macro focus, the selftimer or time and date imprint. AUTO is the point-n-shoot mode.

AUTO record menu options:

Image Quality/Size - 2048x1536 High, 2048x1536 Normal, 1600x1200 Normal, 1024x768 or 640x480

Exposure Compensation - Override the metering by +/-2.0EV in 1/3EV steps

Date Imprint - Stamp the date or time and date on the image

Format - Format the CF card

Manual record mode. Similar to AUTO but there are more exposure options available, see screen below.

MANUAL record menu options:

Image Quality/Size - 2048x1536 High, 2048x1536 Normal, 1600x1200 Normal, 1024x768 or 640x480

White Balance - Auto, Manual preset, Daylight, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Cloudy or Speedlight

Exposure Compensation - Override the metering by +/-2.0EV in 1/3EV steps

Date Imprint - Stamp the date or time and date on the image

Continuous - Shooting mode: Single frame, Continuous, Multi-Shot 16-1 or Multi-Shot 16-2

BSS - Best Shot Selector

Image Sharpening - Auto, High, Normal, Low or Off

Format - Format the CF card

Scene mode options include: Party, Beach/Snow, Sunset, Dusk/Dawn, Night Landscape, Close Up, Museum, Fireworks, Copy and Back Light

Some of the pre-programmed exposure modes have special onscreen framing displays to help you lineup your subjects. Portrait Couple mode (shown here) is used for two people standing side by side.

Portrait mode options include: Portrait, Portrait left, Portrait right, Portrait close-up, Portrait couple and Portrait figure.

Landscape mode options include: Landscape, Scenic view, Architecture, Group right and Group left

Sports mode options include: Sports, Sports Spectator and Sports Composite

Night Portrait options include: Night Portrait, Portrait Left, Portrait Right, Portrait Close-up, Portrait Couple and Portrait Figure

Movie mode menu options:

Small Movie - Color 320 x 240 pixels, 15fps

TV Movie - Color 640 x 480 pixels, 15fps

B/W Movie - Black & White 320 x 240 pixels, 15fps

Sepia Movie - Sepia toned 320 x 240 pixels, 15fps