Continuing our review of bargain-priced compact cameras (see the A3000IS from earlier this week) we bring you this review of the Nikon Coolpix 3100 digital camera. In fact, the Nikon Coolpix 3100 camera compares pretty favorably to its cheaper cousin with a few additional features, a better sensor, and more megapixels. But where the Nikon Coolpix 3100 really shines is in the recordable video area.

The Nikon S3100 is at the low price range of cameras that provide HD quality video in addition to taking single shot photos. Most below the 3100 take non-HD video (if at all), and just about everything above it is capable of at least 720p. And that's exactly what the Nikon Coolpix 3100 offers: 720p HD video readily accessible from the "one touch" HD video button.

Nikon Coolpix 3100 Digital Camera for Sale at Amazon

Nikon COOLPIX S3100 14 MP Digital Camera with 5x NIKKOR Wide-Angle Optical Zoom Lens and 2.7-Inch LCD (Silver) List Price: $139.00 Sale Price: $94.99 You save: $44.01 (32%)

Of course the Nikon Coolpix 3100 is supposed to be a camera, so the importance of single shot photography shouldn't be overlooked. The 3100 features the highly capable EXPEED C2 processor to capture more detail and increase image quality even when photographing quick moving subjects. The image sensor is about standard for a sub-compact camera, at 1 2/3", but Nikon gave it the ability to capture photos at 14 megapixels of resolution which only adds to the ability of the Coolpix 3100 to capture higher detailed than it's counterparts.

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The Nikon Coolpix 3100 camera's lens is designed from the exceptional NIKKOR glass that we've grown accustomed to in Nikon cameras. And for a sub-compact, the addition of wide-angle to this lens and it's 5x optical zoom gives the photographer a lot of options on how much surrounding area to capture when zooming in on your primary subjects.

The LCD display for the Nikon Coolpix 3100 is standard for almost all sub-compact cameras, with it's fairly bright 2.7" screen. I harp on this a lot, but it would be nice to see these little cameras go with touchscreen LCD's instead and give a bit larger display in place of the buttons. That said, the S3100's LCD is an upgrade from it's predecessor, the Nikon S3000, as it seems much brighter even in bright sunlight.

Nikon Coolpix 3100 Digital Camera Photos

I'm not sure why, but sub-compacts in the price range of the Nikon Coolpix 3100 are still missing out on providing an HDMI port for the cameras. Maybe it's because the addition of even a mini-HDMI would increase the size of the Nikon S3100 and its counterparts substantially, but it would be nice to have HDMI connectivity. Especially since the S3100 provides HD movie recording capability.

And size does seem to be a major factor in the design of the Nikon Coolpix 3100. Nikon managed to make the 3100 even slimmer than the S3000. The camera gradually reduces in size toward the edges to give the camera a rounded shape and a slim profile from the sides.

And for that reason, the Nikon Coolpix S3100 as a camera isn't for everyone. In fact, this may go for most sub-compacts, but the S3100 is a tiny little camera, not only in weight, but also in size. It's easy to drop it in your pocket and forget it's even there. When it comes to using it, those of us with larger hands might find it difficult. Personally, my own hands swallow the camera up, so that I end up holding it kinda daintily with a few fingers sticking out just to make sure I don't get them in the way of the lens.

Aside from small size and missing HDMI cable, we feel that the Nikon Coolpix 3100 is just about perfect as far as sub-compact cameras go. The price is right on the 3100, just below most of its competitors, yet offering almost all of the same features. The creation of 5 vibrant colors for the camera body to go along with the standard black and silver give you a chance to bring a little more fun into photography. Yet the features are still serious enough to create images of quality as good as you'll find in other sub-compact cameras.

Nikon Coolpix s3100 Digital Camera Specs

* Model / ASIN: S3100 / B004M8SVBG
* Colors Available: Silver (most popular), black, red, purple, yellow, blue, and pink
* Resolution: 14 megapixels using a 1 and 2/3 inch CCD sensor
* Lens: NIKKOR glass designed lens with 5x optical zoom with 26 millimeters to 130 millimeters equivalency
* Digital Zoom: 4x digital zoom
* Video Recording: 720p video recording at 30 frames per second
* Minimum Focus Range: 18 inches to infinity
* Continuous Shooting: 3 shots at a time with .7 seconds between takes
* Shutter Speed: 1/2000 of a second to 1 second in all modes except firework mode (can be changed to 4 seconds in fireworks)
* Aperture: f/3.2 to f/6.5
* ISO: Auto 100 to 1600 (3200 in some modes)
* Image Stabilization: Yes; 4-way VR
* LCD: 2.7" TFT LCD wih five levels of brightness (non touchscreen)
* Viewfinder: None
* Flash: Built into the camera to the right of the lens; useful between 18 inches and 7 feet in telephoto or 18 inches and 14 feet in normal
* File Format: JPEG for still photos; AVI Motion JPEG for HD movie recordings
* File Storage: 45 megabytes of internal memory; compatible with SD, SDHC, or SDXC memory cards (not typically included)
* Outputs: USB (x1); A/V (x1)
* Power: Rechargeable Li-ion Battery (model #EN-EL19); battery stays charged for up to 220 shots and takes approximately 2 hours to recharge
* Dimensions: 2 3/10" x 3 7/10" x 4/5" (H x W x D) and weighs just over 4 ounces with the battery and memory card in place
* Release Date:

Reference

Nikon Coolpix S3100 Review - Review Roundup | PhotographyBLOG
Expert review of the Nikon Coolpix S3100 camera with sample photos, test...

Nikon Coolpix S3100 Review - Image Quality | PhotographyBLOG
Expert review of the Nikon Coolpix S3100 camera with sample photos, test...

Nikon Coolpix 3100 Digital Camera - Youtube Video Review

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B. Daniels is the lead review expert with Find Cheap Bargains. B. was more than likely the person responsible for the hands-on review of every product on the site. He also spends time searching for sale bargains when not conducting and writing the reviews.