Camera Labs

someone mentioned "bracketing" as a difference between D3100 and D5000 (3100 not having it)..I'd be surprised if it really doesn't have it.. and could turn out to be a dealbreaker.. I guess Nikon is trying to bring it's product line very close to Canon's in terms features. D3100 is a direct competitor to Canon's Rebel T1i (with 1080p video, high ISO and 14 MP sensor), and is relatively cheap. I'd be interested to see more reviews/comparison on image quality, and I have very high expectations from Nikon.

if I am right, the entire D40 and later series missed the bracketing, correct me if I am wrong.

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- Wout -
Nikon D80 with 18-70 DX, 70-300 VR, 35 1.8 DX
Manfrotto 055XPROB tripod with 488RC0 midi ballhead
Lowepro CompuRover AW and Nova 200 AW

Ok, so i'm taking a step up from my Sony A300. This 3100 is a good contender, along with the Canon 550D or the Nikon D90. Help required!

Robb,

If I were really interested in video, I would choose the D3100, for it is full HD.

If the main purpose of the camera is stills, I would get the D90 or wait for the expected new D90.
I really do not think that any entry level camera is going to be a sensible upgrade from the A300. Spend your money wise (although you may need a little more) and setlle for nothing less than D90 like.

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Please C/C me:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sr_loeza/
Sony Alpha 200.
Kit lens: 18-70mm and 75-300mm.
Sigma 50mm Macro.

The 550D has full HD too >.<
with a stereo microphone input.
And VGA screen.

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Ruben

Panasonic DMC-FZ18, Panasonic DMC-FZ28, Canon G5, Canon 350D, Canon 50D + BG-E2N
Tamron 17-50 2.8, Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM,
Canon 18-55 II plus lots of Minolta MD/M42 lenses and bodies

I have a 24-120mm nikkor lens, and am looking for a body only camera in the range of $500-650. Does anyone know if this is available body only? if not I might still buy it with the 18-55 to use as a wide angle lens.

I've been using D60 for 2 years now but would like to upgrade to something better. I was thinking about getting a D90 but D3100 is almost equally impressive. Why should I consider D90 over D3100 now that both are almost the same. wouldn't be able to afford the new D90 replacement if i am to wait for it.


Any help/suggestions please???

Pujan, I really don't think the D90 and the D3100 are almost the same. As a still photography tool the D90 is way ahead in terms of features and usability. If only for the brighter and larger pentaprism viewfinder and the in-camera focusing motor, most serious photographers will chose the D90 over the D3100 any time.

That said, it's plain that Nikon's latest baby comes very strong in terms of features, but if your main reason for upgrading your current D60 is still photography and you don't care that much about video, I'd either wait for the D90 successor or go for the D90 itself which is still one of the best mid-range DSLRs out there.

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Nikon D90 | AF-S 18-200 VR II | AF-S 35mm f/1.8 | Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 | SB-600 | Gorillapod + Manfrotto 484RC2

+1 on what beren23 said! The D3100 is not enough yet to go from D60, to a similar body, it's almost like buying the same coolpix each year, but the newer model.

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- Wout -
Nikon D80 with 18-70 DX, 70-300 VR, 35 1.8 DX
Manfrotto 055XPROB tripod with 488RC0 midi ballhead
Lowepro CompuRover AW and Nova 200 AW

You might want to use autofocus for non-AF-S type lenses, you might want the slightly faster FPS, you might prefer a bigger body. The D90 is a couple of years old and obviously the technology eventually filters down to lower models. I'm not sure I would go from a D60 to a D3100 or a D90. If I wanted to upgrade from that level of camera, I'd be looking at a D300 at the very least.

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Nikon D700 | 20mm f2.8 | 28mm f2.8 | 50mm f1.8 | 70-300 f4-5.6 | SB800 | flickr | serial photography

The D3000 is 110% what I was talking about, it is a D60 with just 2 added bells, Guide mode and the AF system of the D80/D90. In that case the D3100 is a much better choice (brings more new features than a D3000 would) but I would recommend looking at the D90 and newer series

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- Wout -
Nikon D80 with 18-70 DX, 70-300 VR, 35 1.8 DX
Manfrotto 055XPROB tripod with 488RC0 midi ballhead
Lowepro CompuRover AW and Nova 200 AW

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions. I would probably wait for the D90 successor.

Would EOS-50D be a better alternative compared to D90 if I'm not looking into videos.

Cheers.

Hi Pujan, that question is a bit off-topic now. This thread is ONLY about the D3100. If you're comparing the D90 with the 50D, please see this page of my 50D review:

http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Canon ... dict.shtml

You should also be looking at the Canon 550D / T2i and Nikon D5000.

I guess Nikon is slowly pushing up their MP and their line up.

These guys are even thinking about donating 1000USD to Nikon development and research: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pELm38gvmU4

I'm jealous of Canon and their newer cameras. Common Nikon give us D90, 300, 700 replacements!!

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Simply shoot.

Nikon D90 | Nikon FE | 50mm 1.8G | 18-105mm | SB-600 | Manfrotto 190XDB

Next stop: Carl Zeiss 35mm