Its finally here Nikon Launches D3100 and 4 Lenses

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ronnie_gogs

ronnie_gogs

Morphing from a Geek to a Nerd
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The camera that everyone had been waiting for is finally here as Nikon today (19th Aug '10) annouced the launch of the its cheapest entry level DSLR with Full HD Video recording with continous autofocus with 14 mp CMOS sensor with EXPEED 2 processor
Key features :-
1) HD Video max 1080p at 24fps , 720p at 30 fps
2) Continous Auto Focus in Video
3) 14 mp CMOS
4) Expeed 2 processor Better ISO performance 12800 Max ISO
5) 11 focus Points
6) Price : $699 at launch with 18-55mm Kit
Cons
1) No AF with older lenses - Well it was expected as even the more expensive D5000 doesn't have that
2) No 60 fps 720p
Specifications
Type Single-lens reflex digital camera
Lens mount Nikon F mount (with AF contacts)
Effective pixels 14.2 million
Image sensor 23.1 x 15.4 mm CMOS sensor
Image size (pixels) 4,608 x 3,072 [L]
3,456 x 2,304 [M]
2,304 x 1,536
File format 1) NEF(RAW), 2)JPEG, 3)NEF(RAW)+JPEG
Media SD (Secure Digital) memory cards *1, SDHC- and SDXC-compliant
Frame advance rate Up to 3 fps *2
ISO sensitivity ISO 100 to 3200 in steps of 1 EV; Can also be set to approx. 1 EV above ISO 3200 (ISO 6400 equivalent)
above ISO 3200 (ISO 12800 equivalent); auto ISO sensitivity control available
Movie Frame size (pixels) and frame rate: 1,920 x 1,080; 24 p - 1,280 x 720; 30 p - 1,280 x 720; 25 p - 1,280 x 720; 24 p - 640 x 424; 24 p
Maximum Recording Time:10 min.
File format/Video compression: MOV, H.264/MPEG-4 Advanced Video Cording
Audio recording device; Supported:monaural recording with built-in microphone.
LCD monitor 3-in., approx. 230 k-dot TFT LCD with brightness adjustment
Power source Battery; One rechargeable Li-ion EN-EL14 battery
AC adapter(optional);EH-5a AC adapter; requires EP-5 power connector
Dimensions (approx.) (W x H x D) 124 X 96 X 74.5mm
Weight (approx.) 455g without battery, memory card, or body cap,
505g;with battery and memory card but without body cap
Major supplied accessories EN-EL14 rechargeable Li-ion battery, MH-24 battery charger, AN-DC3 camera strap, ViewNX 2 CD-ROM, Ferrite Core
(2 types)

Lenses launched
AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4G
AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR
AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR
AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR
Links : Nikon | News | Digital-SLR camera Nikon D3100
Nikon D3100 | Nikon
Nikon D3100 digital SLR announced and previewed: Digital Photography Review
Nikon | News | AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4G, AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR and AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR
Nikon | News | AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4G, AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR and AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR
 
Price tag of $699 seems apt for the package. Amazon usa is taking pre orders and is expected to start delievery during first week of september. I think it should be available in india in a month at around rs 34k.
 
Yup cheapest 1080p 24fps DSLR in the market.....

A finally something from the Nikon stable for DSLR filmakers.... only choices till now were DMC GH1, 550D, 7d, 1D mark III, IV.....
 
^^ As far as I knw only cam which allows long recording upto the card memory is the Panasonic GH1 ($1400) ... All others are limited by time....

Well if you can shoot at 24fps in 1080p with a $699 camera some compromises have to be made....

Nearest camera with 1080p is 550D which is around $1000 (12 mins recording time)....

550D does have the external audio input option though.... guess people will have to use the clipboard and use a complete diff sound recorder and overlay later
 
primary thoughts are pouring on net.

Nothing extraordinary for the Still photographer, but those who look for better Video capabilities Nikon have delivered a potential winner here. (Continuous AF, AVHCD - H264 codec dumping MJPEG are really good)
 
1) No AF with older lenses - Well it was expected as even the more expensive D5000 doesn't have that
Click to expand...

Bah, would have skipped this too. On the other hand continuous AF in video might just be an option to consider for. Any video samples out yet?
 
Video from Nikon...... I dont know why would Nikon give a professional Video which looks so washed out and overexposed....

Maybe this is the best it can do... :P .....

[youtube]D3100&aq=f[/youtube]
 
I think Nikon is focusing on the prosumer market, as they have hardly any improvements for the still photographers, and massive improvements in the video category. There are so many older lens gems, which are rendered useless. Nuke just acquired a 20 year old f1.4 prime for a good price, surprisingly that lens would yet be better then a 20k f1.4 current range of lenses.
 
I seriously dont think $699 is a good price package... how come its an entry level for ~35k tagged in india..

I rather feel 720p video recording with a price tag of 30k would rather had been a steal deal...

moreover, this cam will certainly ruin the deal of D5000 until something D5100 is out..

1080p HD movie recording is only good in reading specifications...making a good video is practically much tough

also, either U need a super smooth focusing lens (we call it USM in canon) to avoid khich khich of lens during AF or do dubbing :P

BTW, does it 'Auto focuses' and provide 'manual control' over exposure while movie recording or it lacks it???

--- Updated Post - Automerged ---
Aces170 said:
I think Nikon is focusing on the prosumer market, as they have hardly any improvements for the still photographers, and massive improvements in the video category. There are so many older lens gems, which are rendered useless. Nuke just acquired a 20 year old f1.4 prime for a good price, surprisingly that lens would yet be better then a 20k f1.4 current range of lenses.
Click to expand...
Nikon cant be blamed too much with leaving Canon for Spare..

Canon's change from FD to EF mount lead many old gems to be used with some adapter...

Nikon never moved away from F mount..
 
With such features, i wonder new dslr could have been called brother of D5000 instead of D3000. 14 MP,1080 p HD, light weight ,price, among others, it might rival D5000 more than anyone else.
 
^^ That was expected

I dont like the missing Auto Bracketing and support for IR remote....
 
iaudio said:
So what advantage will the d5000 have over the d3100 now?
Click to expand...
Although D5000 was launched at $ 850 its currently around $ 689...

So its in fact cheaper than this camera now.... at $ 699 and more likely to drop further as this camera is launched....

D5000 will now IMO come in between D3000 and D3100... Just my opinion...

D5000 advantages
1) Articulated Screen
2) Auto Bracketing (not sure is D3100 is missing this)
3) IR remote support (not sure is D3100 is missing this)

Will have to wait for a good review of D3100 to understand how it might be better or worse than a D5000
 
^^ need to wait for the sensor performance, that will tell the most.

I like the little lever they put for the exposure modes next to the main dial... would like to have that on my D5000 :D
 
ronnie_gogs said:
D5000 advantages
1) Articulated Screen
2) Auto Bracketing (not sure is D3100 is missing this)
3) IR remote support (not sure is D3100 is missing this)

Will have to wait for a good review of D3100 to understand how it might be better or worse than a D5000
Click to expand...
Yup D3100 is missing auto bracketing and IR remote support. :(
 
Official price of D5000 currently in usa is $630. So nikon has positioned it between D3000 & D3100. It would be interesting to see how nikon goes about their pricing in india. It's clear that D3100 would be priced higher than D5000, but will price of D5000 be reduced? That remains a big question.
 
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