Thoughts on the Nikon 3100?
- Thread starter easyrider
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If you're just looking for a family video camera or something similar, then go with the Sony A33 - continuous proper AF during video makes it infinitely easier, especially for non-keen videographers (vital for a family/memory video camera rather than full-blown cinematography).
If you're happy with manual focus, then the D3100 is a perfectly capable camera; the next step up would probably be a 550d, which aren't quite trickling down to the same price range just yet. Just bear in mind the Sony SLT's have an EVF for video usage, in body image stabilisation and much, much better AF during video, if any of that matters to you.
If you're happy with manual focus, then the D3100 is a perfectly capable camera; the next step up would probably be a 550d, which aren't quite trickling down to the same price range just yet. Just bear in mind the Sony SLT's have an EVF for video usage, in body image stabilisation and much, much better AF during video, if any of that matters to you.
The D3100 has continuous AF during video and doesn't have the same reported problems with heating up that the new Sony does.
The next step up would be the D5100 which is just about to be released.
The D3100 has continuous AF during video and doesn't have the same reported problems with heating up that the new Sony does.
The D3100 has contrast detection AF during video which is frankly, awful. The a33 has phase detection AF during video which is infinitely better.
I can't find a comparison of the two specific cameras, but the 550d has a pretty similair video af system to the d3100, and a55's video AF is largely unchanged from the a33
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHPaVD0pHpQ
the d3100 was crap in my opinion!!!
word of warning re the autofocus, it's not that clever and there are many videos on you tube for this, also, it makes an horrendous AF noise during filming! when you listen back it's very annoying and obtrusive
word of warning re the autofocus, it's not that clever and there are many videos on you tube for this, also, it makes an horrendous AF noise during filming! when you listen back it's very annoying and obtrusive
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I just tried Auto-Focusing on my D3100 during recording and it really does sound horrible! 
You probably wont notice it in a loud place though.
You probably wont notice it in a loud place though.I just tried Auto-Focusing on my D3100 during recording and it really does sound horrible!
Just one of many bad things about the nikon d3100
Well I've got one and I love it - although it has a couple of features missing which I'd have liked (Auto-bracketing).
It is a newbie camera though and as such has gotten many good reviews as a starter DSLR which is exactly what I got it for.
But no, I'd never buy a camera like this for video anyway.
It is a newbie camera though and as such has gotten many good reviews as a starter DSLR which is exactly what I got it for.
But no, I'd never buy a camera like this for video anyway.