The Nikon D3100

The Nikon D3100 is breakthrough DSLR camera that reflects a powerful shift in photography tools that will benefit budget-minded photographers. How so? We are seeing the shrinking of fundamental image quality differences between the high end and low end of the DSLR camera market. Of course, the Nikon D3100 does not have some of the functional features of the higher end Nikon DSLR’s. However, the single thing that matters most to the quality of the photo produced is the sensor. The Nikon D3100 uses a high spec 14 megapixel CMOS sensor that puts it image producing capability in the same league with the top DSLR’s currently on the market at a retail price of only $699 including lens! Putting aside all of the less important features such as auto-bracketing and high speed frame rate where the D3100 has been crippled to justify its marketing as a low-end camera, the bottom line is this: It is a lightweight, simple DSLR at a budget price that should be capable of high-end quality results for both still photography and video. This is the first DSLR from Nikon since the D40 that represents a meaningful advance in value and performance.

Will I buy one right away? No. My 6 megapixel DSLR’s are giving me perfectly fine results and will continue to do so. However, when the price drops a bit after about a year on the market this will most likely be my next camera. There has never been a better time to be a budget-minded photographer!