my experiences with the Nikon Coolpix 3100 (Nikon Coolpix 3100)

Member Name: pinky_2005

Product:	Nikon Coolpix 3100
Date:	31/01/05 (87 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: small, ease of use, picture quality

Disadvantages: has been discontinued/or limited availability, 16 MB Compact flash card provided a little small

This is a great camera packed full of functions that are easy to navigate thanks to the clear menu system and the jog-dial. At just over 3 megapixels at maximum quality, I found this more than enough to give superb quality 6x4 prints.

The attraction of this camera was the 10 pre-set scene modes which included: party/indoor, sunset, night lanscape, firework show and beach/snow. Other photograph assist modes include portrait, lanscape and sports mode. There is also a short video function, maximum length 40 seconds (with no sound) but this is obviously not the main selling point.

On the back of the camera, flash, macro and self-timer options are on "quick" buttons very handy for speed. Along the bottom, menu, display toggle and picture discard buttons.

Image quality on the 1.5" LCD screen was realistic to the finished picture and just big enough to carry out some on camera manipulation options such as cropping. However, I did find that constant use of the LCD screen did drain the batteries, but seeing that they were AA it was not much of a problem as rechargable ones were easy to come by. As a point of information the camera also takes a CRV3 battery which may have a longer life, unfortunately I can't comment on that. The brightness of the LCD screen could be altered but in direct sunshine was difficult to see but soon remedied but going into the shade.

Transferring of your pictures to computer was straight forward via a USB cable from camera to computer. You were required to install Nikon View (software which came with the camera). Once the camera was attached you could transfer all pictures from your Compact flash memory card or just select the ones which you "mark" on the camera for transfer.

One further feature was the ability to hook up your camera to a TV so you could have a slideshow of your pictures to friends or family who don't have a computer (rare I know, but useful when I wanted to show my grandparents my snaps).

Overall, the nikon 3100 had so many great features that were above and beyond what a first time user of a digital camera would require, but without them I may not have been encouraged to take up photography. In fact, my parents saw how easy to use it was, that they too went and purchased one.

The bad news for those that want one now is that it has been discontinued. Nikon do have the coolpix 4100 priced at ~ £150.00 (from a leading camera sales outlet). Or you could try second hand, prices range from £60-110. Given the current market, I wouldn't pay more than £100 for it second hand.

Summary: