Any views on this camera? My insurers have offered to replace my Nikon D50 with this one. I was thinking if I could do better to go for the cash or pay the difference for the next model up. What would that be and what would I be getting. Very grateful for your help with this. I'm totally not technical.
Do you have any non AF-S lenses? The D50 has an autofocus motor built in, the D3100 does not. You might want to look into a D90 if they are still available, as the D3100 is a little on the small side, the newest models are the D5000 or the D7000.
The D3100 is a solid entry level DSLR. If you want more features I'd skip the D5000 and go for the D90. It's just been superseded by the D7000, will be discontinued soon and available at most places on sale.
The D90 is kick-ass! Enough auto modes to keep beginners happy, enough advanced functionality to please most intermediate level users.
If you don't have AF-S lenses (shich I assume you don't) take the money so you can get a camera with a built in autofocus motor and still be able to autofocus all your lenses.
@ninjashutter The D5000 has been discontinued as of November 2010 and had some electrical issues so I would skip to the D7000 or the D90, too. Due to a limited budget I would likely get the D3100 for myself though but it is a solid model so I will be happy when it happens. =)
@luxvivens My husband owns this camera after consulting Ken Rockwell quite closely. Make sure you visit the Nikon website and use their lens comparison tool if you are getting new lenses. If you have additional cash, Ken would probably say go for the 7000.
I agree with the D7000 recomendation. Very nice article about it in current Pop Photog issue. It has all the functions of the D90 with some nice upgrades (ie. metering and auto focus). It seems to compare well, but not better to the Canon EOS 60D. The D90 is aging and due for upgrade - a great camera, but for a couple bucks extra you can get into a very current camera.
I use the D3000 and I love it. I have AF-S lenses so it all works very well for my needs. The D3100 came out right after I bought my D3000 and I wished I had waited to get the D3100. Now the D3100 has video built in too. Oprah had the D3100 on her favorite things list and gave her whole audience one when they first came out. :) If Oprah likes it.... hahahaha!
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The D90 is kick-ass! Enough auto modes to keep beginners happy, enough advanced functionality to please most intermediate level users.
Gosh that is helpful. Lots of useful advice. THANK YOU SO MUCH for taking the trouble to contribute.
@wormentude @ninjashutter I'm getting an auto focus Nikon 55-300mm VR f/4.5-5.6G AF-S DX Nikkor Lens.
@capemayblackdog @jcrowley40 @jcrowley40 @katrinacristy @camarobabe Really appreciate all that advice and enthusiasm. Money is an issue, so probably the Nik D3100. It looks like you are saying it is at least comparable to D50, if not better.