Nikon D3100: entry-level SLR with Full HD

Nikon today launched the new D3000, which picks up where the D3000 left off in the entry-level digital SLR market.  It now has more pixels on its sensor than any of Nikon's other enthusiast cameras, and is the company's first SLR to offer Full HD video.

'At last ...' was what we said when we heard the news.  Nikon has finally given up the tried-and-tested backbone that formed the basis of earlier models, right back to the D40x—when neither of our current photo experts had even heard of DigitalVersus ...

So it's out with the long-lived 10 Megapixel CCD sensor.  It was a good piece of hardware for its day, and although recent software updates have allowed it to climb as high as 1600 ISO, it can't go any higher.

Software: all change

Instead, the D3100 gets a much more up-to-date 14 Megapixel CMOS sensor, which marks something of a change for Nikon, which usually inaugurates new technology on more expensive cameras before gradually rolling it out across the rest of the range.  It seems a lot like the 14 Megapixel sensor found on the Sony NEX-3 and NEX-5.

Changing the sensor has led to several knock-on effects, including a new image processing chip, known as Expeed 2.  This new configuration allows a basic maximum sensitivity of 3200 ISO for starters and an extension to 12 800 ISO is also available.

More importantly, the D3100 films in 1080p at 24 fps, making it not only the first Nikon to capture Full HD video, but also one of the rare digital cameras to use a progressive scan.  That removes the need for deinterlacing before you can enjoy your home moves on a TV and the resulting loss in quality.

Nikon has also worked on improving the autofocus which works by contrast detection, making it available both in Live View and when filming.  That means autofocus with a trans-standard lens will take a mere two seconds, meaning Nikon is still a lot slower than a micro four-thirds camera, the NEX-5 or the Samsung NX10.

Most of the other elements seem lifted straight from the D3000, with visual controls for speed and aperture, rather tricky menus and a help mode that explains the features to new users. 

Body: status quo

The camera body is more of a direct descendent of its predecessor: both small and light, it has a 3'' screen which has just 230 000 pixels and doesn't move.  That was reasonable enough on the D3000, which didn't have Live View, but on Nikon's most powerful video camera to date, a more flexible screen would have been great.

There have been some small changes though, including a switch to toggle between burst mode and the timer (very Panasonic), a more comfortable rubber handle, and, of course, controls for Live View and video mode.  There's a separate button to start recording and a tool to flip from viewing your short in the viewfinder and doing it on screen.

On the other hand, there's still no direct access to the sensitivity menu, and, although the viewfinder has changed, it's only the markings on the glass that are now a little less intrusive: both the amount of light and the zoom are the same as before.

The D3100 will be available next month, costing £499.99 for the camera alone, and £579.99 in a kit with the 18-55mm VR lens. 

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