Uh oh...someone said they wouldn't recommend the D3100 :-X. Mick it is possible there are other, newer and better cameras out there. As others suggested I would get the D3200 instead. I have no doubt the D310 is capable but if you are going to buy a series behind then why not a D5100?

If you are starting out I don't think you can go wrong with the D5100, D5200 (when available), D3100 or D3200. The new bodies are going to offer a better sensor and better performance then the older models. I still have my D5000 and find it capable...can be had for hardly anything now.

@ spraynpray

+1

@Mick: My tea leaves are black with D3100 written on them (my wife owns one).

Some people could recommend things that they own because otherwise it would be that they made a mistake. People who don't own one give unencumbered opinions so they have value too, but even the old D40 is a good camera.

My reason for recommending the D3200 is it's better low light performance. It would be a shame to miss out on that.

An excellent choice of first DSLR, in my humble opinion.

None of the previous posters have used or own the Nikon D3100, and are offering their opinions on the basis of "reading the tea-leaves", that is, their interpretation of the technical specifications.

There is a Flickr group for D3100/D3200 owners with the vast majority of the 10,900 members using the D3100. Have a look at the output from these people, at:

http://www.flickr.com/groups/nikond3100/

I also have a Flickr stream, all shot using the D3100, except some from a couple of years ago that were shot with the D60.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/68039985@N08/

Good choice, excellent value for money, and for what it's worth, Ken Rockwell also recommends the D3100 over the D3200.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/recommended-cameras.htm

Mick

If you want to get seriously into photography and found that point and shoots - even the good ones - don't give you the results you want, and you are prepared to buy lots of expensive lenses and carry them around, then yes, a DSLR is the right step for you. If you have small hands, the D3200 is an excellent choice as it has a good sensor. There are other Nikon DSLR choices around, but you need to give us a clue as to your budget and specific areas of interest (landscape, portrait etc.) before we can really give you best advice.

Hi Grin,

welcome to forum. As for the camera, I would also suggest D3200, although the price difference might be much bigger in Your country than in US.

Please do a forum search on D3100 for multiple threads covering this subject. Here are some.

http://nikonrumors.com/forum/topic.php?id=2543&page=2

http://nikonrumors.com/forum/topic.php?id=2559

http://nikonrumors.com/forum/topic.php?id=2428

But, I would not purchase a D3100 but instead a D3200. Big difference and the D3200 sensor is much better than the D3100.

Hey guys,
I'm looking at buying the D3100 as my first proper entry level DSLR, I have had shoot and go sort of ones but now want to get seriously into photography, is this the right choice. Any opinions will be much appreciated thanks you~!Grin