The D3100 is built around a 14.2 megapixel CMOS sensor, bringing not only live view but also Full HD video capture to Nikon's entry-level model. This not only makes it the company's second-highest pixel-count SLR (after the D3X) but also makes it the first to offer 1920x1080 movie recording. It can only record clips up to ten minutes long but it's still an impressive feature addition at this level.

Camera Type

Single-lens reflex digital camera

Resolution

Total: 14.8 Megapixels, Effective: 14.2 Megapixels

Sensor

23.1 x 15.4mm Nikon DX-format CMOS sensor

Bit Depth

Not Specified by Manufacturer

File Formats

NEF (RAW), JPEG: JPEG-Baseline compliant with fine (approx. 1:4), normal (approx. 1:8), or basic (approx. 1:16) compression, NEF (RAW) + JPEG: Single photograph recorded in both NEF (RAW) and JPEG formats

File Size

4608 x 3072 (L), 3456 x 2304 (M), 2304 x 1536 (S)

Color Spaces/

Not Specified by Manufacturer

Creative Color Modes

Standard, Neutral, Vivid, Monochrome

Film Modes

Not Specified by Manufacturer

Movie Modes

Yes HD 1080P (24fps; recording duration 10 minutes)
HD 720P (30, 25, 24fps user selectable; recording duration 10 minutes)
VGA/SD equivalent (30fps; recording duration 10 minutes)
QVGA equivalent (30fps; recording duration 10 minutes )
Image Stabilization Depends on lens

Crop Factor

1.5x

Lens

AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 VR

Zoom

18-55mm: 3x

Lens Mount

Nikon F-bayonet
AF-S and AF-I lenses: All functions supported
Type G or D AF NIKKOR without built-in autofocus motor: All functions except autofocus supported.
IX NIKKOR lenses not supported

Focus Type

Nikon Multi-CAM 1000 autofocus sensor module with TTL phase detection
11 focus points (including one cross-type sensor), and AF-assist illuminator (range approx. 1' 8" to 9' 10")
Autofocus (AF): Single-servo AF (AF-S); full-time-servo AF (AF-F), Manual focus (MF)
AF-area mode: Face-priority AF, wide-area AF, normal-area AF, subject-tracking AF

Focus Range

18-55mm: 11" (0.28m) to infinity

Accessory Lens/Filter Mount

18-55mm: 52mm

Sensitivity

ISO 100 to 3200 in steps of 1 EV; Can also be set to approx. 1 EV above ISO 3200 (ISO 6400 equivalent) or to approx. 2 EV above ISO 3200 (ISO 12800 equivalent); auto ISO sensitivity control available

Shutter Speeds

Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter
1/4000 to 30 s in steps of 1/3 EV, Bulb

Metering

Matrix: 3D color matrix metering II (type G and D lenses); color matrix metering II (other CPU lenses)
Center-weighted: Weight of 75% given to 8-mm circle in center of frame
Spot: Meters 3.5-mm circle (about 2.5% of frame) centered on selected focus point

Exposure Modes

Auto modes (auto, auto [flash off ]); Scene Modes (Portrait; Landscape; Child; Sports; Close up; Night portrait); programmed auto with flexible program (P); shutter-priority auto (S); aperture-priority auto (A); manual (M), -5 to +5 EV in increments of 1/3 EV, Luminosity locked at detected value with AE-L/AF-L button

White Balance

Auto, incandescent, fluorescent (7 types), direct sunlight, flash, cloudy, shade, preset manual, all except preset manual with fine turning

Mirror Lock-Up

Not Specified by Manufacturer

Burst Capability

Up to 3 frames per second

Self Timer

2 sec, 10 sec

Interval Recording

No

Remote Control

MC-DC2 (available separately), GPS unit: GP-1 (available separately)

Built-in Flash

Built-in pop up, auto, auto with red-eye reduction, fill-flash, auto slow sync, auto slow sync with red-eye correction, and rear curtain with slow sync

Effective Flash Range

Guide number: Approx. 39' (12m), 43' (13m) with manual flash (ISO 100), -3 to +1 EV in increments of 1/3 EV

External Flash Connection

Hotshoe with sync and data contacts and safety lock

Dedicated Flash System

TTL: i-TTL balanced fill-flash and standard i-TTL flash for digital SLR using 420-pixel RGB sensor are available with built-in flash and SB-900, SB-800, SB-600, or SB-400 (i-TTL balanced fill-flash is available when matrixor center-weighted metering is selected)
Auto aperture: Available with SB-900/SB-800 and CPU lens •
Non-TTL auto: Supported flash units include SB-900, SB-800, SB-80DX, SB-28DX, SB-28, SB-27, and SB-22S
Distance-priority manual: Available with SB-900 and SB-800
Advanced Wireless Lighting supported with SB-900, SB-800, or SU-800 as commander; Flash Color Information Communication supported with built-in flash and all CLS-compatible flash units

Max Sync Speed

1/200

Built-in Memory

None

Memory Card Type

SD, SDHC, & SDXC compliant

Still Images per GB

Not Specified by Manufacturer

Recording Formats

MOV, H.264/MPEG-4 Advanced Video Coding

Video Recording

1920 x 1080 (24p): 24fps (23.976fps)
1280 x 720 (30p): 30fps (29.97fps)
1280 x 720 (25p): 25fps
1280 x 720 (24p): 24fps (23.976fps)
640 x 424 (24p): 24fps (23.976fps)

Video Clip Length

10 minutes

Audio Recording

Linear PCM

Viewfinder Type

Eye-level pentamirror single-lens reflex viewfinder
Diopter adjustment: 1.7 to +0.5 m-1
Eyepoint: 18mm (-1.0 m-1)
Magnification: Approx. 0.8 x (50mm f/1.4 lens at infinity, -1.0 m-1)
Focusing screen: Type B BriteView Clear Matte Mark VII screen

Viewfinder Coverage

Approx. 95% horizontal and 95% vertical

Display

3", Approx. 230k-dot TFT LCD with brightness adjustment

Live View

Yes

Connectivity

USB - Hi-speed USB, Type C mini-pin HDMI connector, NTSC, PAL

System & Software RequirementsSoftware

Not Specified by Manufacturer

Operating/Storage Temperature

Temperature: 32 to 104°F (0 to 40°C)

Weatherproofing

N/A

Durability

N/A

Battery Type

EN-EL14 rechargeable Li-ion battery (included)

Power Adapter

EH-5a AC adapter (sold separately)

Dimensions

4.9 x 3.8 x 3" (124.46 x 96.52 x 76.2mm) camera
2.9 x 3.1" (73.66 x 78.74mm) 18-55mm Lens

Weight

1 lbs (453g) Body without battery, memory card, or body cap
9.3 oz (263.65g) 18-55mm Lens