Nikon unveiled D3100 digital SLR

The D3100 is designed for newcomers to D-SLR photography, especially people who want to take beautiful pictures without worrying about complicated functionality. A range of automatic settings means the camera is doing all the hard work much like on a compact camera: Live View with Scene Auto Selector selects the mode that matches your shooting situation; Scene Recognition delivers sharply defined images by analyzing the scene and optimizing the camera settings immediately before the shutter is released; and Guide Mode will take you step-by-step through the process of how to get the picture you want.

The 11-point autofocus system will make sure everything is in focus and ensures razor-sharp images to capture even the most fleeting of expressions or movements. Additionally, the bright viewfinder means user can see and focus precisely on the image he want to capture, quickly and easily. Live View with Scene Auto Selector is an intuitive and familiar way of taking pictures, useful for those who have only used a compact camera, and makes it easy to compose images using the LCD monitor. Scene Auto Selector will select the best mode for the scene and subject you want to capture, and Fulltime servo AF (AF-F) mode keeps subjects in focus without the need to press the shutter release button. Live View will also recognise as many as 35 faces at a time and even if people in the frame move, the camera will continue tracking and focusing on them.

The 14.2 megapixel CMOS image sensor, new powerful EXPEED 2 processing engine and a wide range of Nikkor lenses deliver excellent pictures with amazing detail wherever you are and whatever you are doing. It has ISO 100-3200 sensitivity, with the versatility of effectively boosting ISO up to 12800. This significantly reduces the risk of blurred images when taking pictures of the most energetic children or an evening barbeque with all the family.

Using the easy-access movie record button user can instantly switch to video mode on the D3100, and the D-Movie function allows to record stunning HD movie clips with sound. The camera’s large image sensor and high ISO sensitivity offers exceptional image quality, and the wide variety of Nikkor lenses can be used to create cinematic effects. User can also make simple edits of your clips in-camera by deleting scenes or save specific frames as still images – nothing will be missed for the family photo album. The D3100 is also HDMI compatible so it can be connect to an HD television to view movies in full HD from the sofa. 

For the newcomer to D-SLRs, the intelligent, improved Guide Mode, as seen on the D3000, gives step-by-step instructions of how to change the camera settings. This means user not only get the picture he want but it helps to understand how it was achieved so photography slills can be developed.

The camera will be available soon at a retail price of £579.99 / €599 with the 18-55mm VR lens.