Nikon Coolpix 3100 Review

By: Steve's Digicams


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Nikon Coolpix 3100


First Look Posted 2/18/2003
Full review posted 3/31/03

Introduction & Physical Views



Click on the Coolpix 3100 to take a QuickTime VR tour


The Coolpix 3100 is a compact, lightweight digital still camera with 3.2 megapixel effective image resolution and a Nikkor 3x zoom lens. It's an easy-to-use mid-range model with superior image quality that will satisfy the needs of beginners to advanced amateurs.

Superb optical performance is delivered by a 3x optical Zoom-Nikkor lens with a focal range equivalent to 38-115mm in 35mm format). The Coolpix 3100's 3.2-megapixel imager provides ultrahigh definition and, combined with Nikon's advanced image processing technology, ensure images of remarkable color, contrast and clarity. Shooting is simplified by the general-use AUTO mode and supplemented by 10 different Scene modes, 6 Portrait modes, 5 Landscape modes, 3 Sports modes and 6 Night Portrait modes that allow you to capture great pictures in a variety of common situations.

The Coolpix 3100's compact and lightweight design makes it extremely portable and its ergonomic, easy-grip design ensures easy operation. Managing pictures has never been easier, thanks to features like one-button data transfer and a Small Picture function that configures photos specifically for e-mail and Internet applications. The camera comes equipped with all the accessories necessary to immediately start taking better digital photographs.


Coolpix 3100 Features at a Glance:

  • 3-megapixel effective CCD for images up to 2048x1536 pixels
  • Nikkor 3x optical zoom (38-115mm in 35mm equivalent)
  • Macro focus with AF down to 1.6 inches
  • 1.5-inch TFT color monitor
  • Program AE and pre-programmed Scene, Portrait, Landscape, Sports and Night Portrait exposure modes
  • Single, Continuous, 16-Shot Multi and QuickTime Movie modes
  • Automatic shutter speeds from 1/3000 sec. to 4 sec's
  • Built-in flash with auto, fill, and red-eye reduction
  • 256-segment Matrix exposure metering
  • TTL Auto White Balance, 5 presets and custom set
  • Exif 2.2 and Epson PRINT Image Matching compatible
  • CompactFlash Type I card slot, 16MB card included
  • Plug-n-Play USB 1.1 connectivity, mass storage compliant
  • One-Touch upload for easy image transfers
  • Powered by two AA type or one CRV3 battery.


The Coolpix 3100 includes NikonView 6, a complete image editing and processing package, two CR-V3 Lithium batteries, hand strap, video cable, 16MB CF card and USB cable.






Physical Views

Nikon Coolpix 3100

Nikon Coolpix 3100

Nikon Coolpix 3100Nikon Coolpix 3100

Nikon Coolpix 3100

Nikon Coolpix 3100



Nikon Coolpix 3100

The Coolpix 3100 compared to a standard CD disc.


Nikon Coolpix 3100

The Coolpix 3100 and the 2-Megapixel Coolpix 2100






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Features & Controls Page



Coolpix 3100 Specifications

CCD 1/1.8-in. high-density CCD
3.2 million effective pixels
Image sizes 2,048 x 1,536
1,600 x 1,200
1,024 x 768
640 x 480
Lens 3x Zoom-Nikkor; f = 5.8-17.4mm (equivalent to 38-115mm) F2.8-4.9 with macro; 7 elements in 6 groups; all glass, Nikon Super Integrated Coating (SIC) applied; glass-molded aspherical lens elements included
Digital Zoom 4x stepless digital zoom
Autofocus Contrast-detect TTL AF
Focus range 12 in. to infinity in normal,
1.6 in. to infinity in Macro mode (wide angle)
Optical viewfinder Real-image zoom viewfinder
frame coverage: approx. 82%
LCD monitor 1.5-in., 110,000-dot, low-temp. polysilicon TFT LCD with LED backlight
brightness (5 levels) adjustment
frame coverage: approx. 97%
Auto OFF mode 30 sec.; can be set manually (1/5/30 min.)
Image Storage EXIF 2.2 compressed JPEG compliant with design rule for camera file system (DFC)
QuickTime Motion JPEG (Movie, no audio)
Media CompactFlash (CF) Card Type I
16MB card included
Shooting modes AUTO
Scene (Party, Beach/Snow, Sunset, Dusk/Dawn, Night Landscape, Close Up, Museum, Fireworks, Copy, Back Light)
Portrait (Portrait, Portrait Left, Portrait Right, Portrait Close-up, Portrait Couple, Portrait Figure)
Landscape (Landscape, Scenic view, Architecture, Group right, Group left)
Sports (Sports, Sports Spectator, Sports Composite)
Night Portrait (Night Portrait, Portrait Left, Portrait Right, Portrait Close-up, Portrait Couple, Portrait Figure)
Manual
Movie
Exposure metering 256-segment Matrix linked to AF area
Shutter Mechanical and charge-coupled electronic shutter
4 sec. to 1/3000 sec.
Aperture Electronically controlled preset aperture
Exposure control Programmed Auto with exposure compensation (±2 EV in 1/3 EV steps)
Exposure range EV 4 - 17.5 (W), EV 5.5 - 17 (T) (ISO 100 equivalent)
Best-shot Selector Camera takes up to 10 shots (at approx 2fps) and records the most detailed image of the 10 using anti-jitter logic which is effective for telephoto and macro shooting. Not available when the speedlight is on.
ISO Sensitivity 100 equivalent
White balance 1) Matrix Auto White Balance with TTL control
2) Manual or preset for Daylight/Incandescent/Fluorescent/ Cloudy/Speedlight)
Self-timer 10 sec. duration
Built-in Speedlight Shooting range approx 1.4 - 9.9 ft. (W)
1.4 - 5.6 ft. (T)
Flash control Flash modes:
1) Auto Flash
2) Flash Cancel
3) Anytime Flash
4) Red-Eye Reduction w/pre-flash
Playback menu 1) 1 frame
2) Thumbnail (4/9 segments)
3) Slide show
4) Zoom playback (up to 6x)
Hide and protect attributes can be set to each image
Delete function Deletes all frames or selected frames
Interface USB 1.1 interface, mass storage or PTP
Supported Platforms Windows 98SE/Me/2000/XP
Mac OS 9.0-9x (only built-in USB ports supported)
Mac OS X (10.1.2 or later)
Video output NTSC or PAL (selectable)
I/O terminal Power input
Video output and Digital output terminal
Power requirements Two LR6 (AA) alkaline, NiMH or NiCd
or CRV3 one-use lithium
Battery life Approx. 80 min NiMH/150 min CRV3
Dimensions
(W x H x D)		 Approx. 3.44 x 2.46 x 1.50 in.
Weight
(without battery)		 Approx. 5.4 oz.
Specifications are as represented by the manufacturer


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Features & Controls Page





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