Return to: Contents
© techrevu/ernest lilley 2003
Editor: Ernest Lilley
Shipping/Mailing:
500 Talbot Hall Rd.
Norfolk, VA 23505
Phone: (757) 093 5589
Email: contact@techrevu.com

TechRevu reviews technology related devices formatted for desktop, PDA, or Email distribution.

Our Other Sites:
SFRevu (Science Fiction Reviews, News, and Interviews)

Title: Product Name: Coolpix 3100
Reviewer: Ernest Lilley
Date: 02/24/03 Rating:
MSRP $349.95 / Availability: March 2003
Product Website / Manufacturer Website  / Specs

Summary: Yet another entry in the pocket-sized 3.2 megapixel market, Nikon introduces the Coolpix 3100,  which, at 3.5x2.5x1.3 is just a little bigger than the Canon S230, owing mostly to the "handgrip" design, which allows for either CR-V3 or AA batteries . It's a little lighter as well, owing to its plastic body. Storage is Compact Flash, and a 16 MB "starter card" is included.

Rechargeable batteries and chargers are not included, but are available as accessories. On the other hand, since you can use standard batteries, aftermarket rechargers/batteries should work equally well.

Special Features include: 3x zoom lens, "in camera cropping", pre-programmed Scene Modes and 4 with "Scene Assist" which offers on screen guides to help with placement of subjects, and a movie mode, though the camera does not appear to record sound.

A good starter camera for someone who is willing to let the camera help them take better pictures. 

• Type: Digital Camera E3100
• Effective Pixels: 3.2 Million
• CCD: 1/2.7-in. CCD (total pixel approx. 3.4 million)
• Image Size/Quality: High (2048) 2048 x 1536/FIne, Normal (2048) 2048 x 1536/Normal, Normal (1600) 1600 x 1200/Normal, PC Screen (1024) 1024 x 768/Normal, TV Screen (640) 640 x 480/Normal
• Lens: 3x Zoom-Nikkor, f=5.8-17.4mm (135 format equivalent to 38-115mm); Digital Zoom: up to 4x
• LCD Monitor Adjustment: 1.5-in. , approx. 110,000 dot, low-temp polysilicon TFT LCD with brightness adjustment
• Storage Media: CompactFlash(TM) (CF) Card Type I
• Shooting Modes: Fully automatic mode, M-Camera (Single, Continuous, Multi-shot 16), Scene (4 Scene Modes with Scene Assist, 10 Scene Modes), Movie clip (320 x 240), 15fps, 40 sec), TV movie (640 x 480, 15fps, 20 sec)
• Capture Modes: Single, Continuous, Multi-shot (16 frames)
• Number of Frames with 16MB Starter Memory Card: High (2048): approx 9, Normal (2048): approx 19
• Interface: USB
• Built-in Speedlight: Shooting range: approx. 1.3 - 9.8 ft (W), approx. 1.3 - 5.6 ft (T), sensor flash system; flash modes: Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Anytime Flash, Flash Cancel, Slow Sync (via scene mode Night Portrait)
• Power Requirements: CR-V3 Lithium Battery (supplied), AC Adapter EH-61 (optional), Two Coolpix AA Ni-MH, EN-MH1 rechargeable batteries (optional)
• Dimensions (W x H x D): Approx. 3.5 x 2.5 x 1.5 in. or 87.5 x 65 x 38mm
• Weight: Approx. 5.3 ounces or 150g (without batteries and CF Card)
• Supplied Accessories: Strap, 16MB Starter Memory Card, Video Cable EG-CP11, USB Cable UC-E6, CR-V3 Lithium Battery, NikonView CD-ROM, Bundled software: ArcSoft(R) PhotoImpression(TM), ArcSoft(R) VideoImpression(TM), ArcSoft(R) Panorama Maker(TM), ArcSoft(R) PhotoBase(TM) for PDAs
• Optional Accessories: AC Adapter, various size CompactFlash(TM) cards, carrying case, LCD Hood
• NikonView 6 System Requirements for Macintosh: OS: Mac(R) OS 9.0-9.2 (only built-in USB ports supported), Mac(R) OS X (10.1.2 or later) Models: iMac(TM), Power Macintosh(R) G3 (Blue & White), Power Mac(TM) G4 or later; RAM 32MB (64MB or more recommended), Hard Disk: 25MB required for installation, with additional free disk space of 10MB plus double the capacity of camera memory card available on start-up disk when NikonView 6 is running Display: 800 x 600 or better with thousands of colors (millions of colors recommended) Others: CD-ROM drive required for installation
• NikonView 6 System Requirements for PC: OS: Windows(R) 98SE (pre-installed model), Windows(R) Me (pre-installed model), Windows(R) XP (Home & Professional) Models: Only models with built-in USB ports supported CPU: 300MMX(R) Pentium(R) or later RAM: 64MB (128MB or more recommended) Hard Disk: 25MB required for installation, with additional free disk space of 10MB plus double the capacity of the camera memory card available on system disk when NikonView 6 is running Display: 800 x 600 or better with High Color (True Color recommended) Others: CD-ROM drive required for installation
• Product Number: 25509 UPC Code 018208255092 Technical specifications subject to change without notice