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Category: Point-and-Shoot

Executive Summary

This Nikon Coolpix 3100 Review is based on a production model. All sample images are unretouched, except where specified.

Vise
Programmed Auto, Macro, 5.8 mm, 1/43.5 sec., F2.8 and ISO Auto

The Nikon Coolpix 3100 is an attractive, compact, lightweight and affordable digital camera perfect for taking superb macro close-up pictures. It is strictly a point-and-shoot camera for those who want the camera to take care of exposure for them. It's strong points are good handling, excellent macros, and quality 3MP images you've come to expect from Nikon.

Though the Coolpix 3100 does not have flexible exposure control and its "Manual" mode is limited to exposure compensation, you can indirectly "influence" exposure settings by selecting one of the 14 scene modes. Due to its shutter lag, the Coolpix 3100 is not for those who want to capture snapshots of their energetic never-in-the-same-place three-year old.

The Coolpix 3100 is pocketable in a large pants pocket and extremely light. Thankfully, its handgrip allows you to operate the camera comfortably, and with one hand, if necessary, without camera shake. It uses 2 AA Alkaline or rechargeable NiMH batteries.

The Coolpix 3100 has a good flash for indoors pictures (as long as the subject is within flash range), and with 14 scene modes that cover almost all picture-taking situations you'd ever encounter, 4 scene assist modes to help with picture composition, One-Touch Upload, quality 3MP images, and superb macro capability, it should prove a popular and affordable point-and-shoot digital camera.

See if you fit the Nikon Coolpix 3100 User Profile below:

 

Nikon Coolpix 3100 User Profile • Desire a quality 3+ MP resolution point-and-shoot digital camera capable of producing prints of up to 8x10 in. • Want a compact and lightweight digital camera (large pants pocket, coat pocket) with a good grip. • Want superb macro capability. • Take mostly outdoors or well-lighted pictures. • Do not intend to take action pictures. • Do not need more exposure flexibility and are quite happy with the limitations of a point-and-shoot.