CameraLore
Archive illustration for Nikon D3100

Quick facts

Full name: Nikon D3100

Original position: Interchangeable-lens cameraProduction status: Production status not verified
Regional aliases
No verified regional aliases
Similar models to distinguish
D5200EOS 60DaEOS MD7100
Editorial guidance, not a verified specificationWhy it is still searched

Nikon D3100 is still researched by owners and second-hand buyers checking an older camera system, lens compatibility, and specifications.

Core specifications

Release year
2010 · Released about 16 years ago
Sensor
23.1 × 15.4 mm CMOS
Effective resolution
14.2 MP
Lens
—
Zoom
—
Weight
505 g
Battery
Lithium-Ion EN-EL14 rechargeable battery Li-ion battery
Storage
SDHC, SDXC, Secure Digital
View full specifications
Editorial guidance, not a verified specification

Who it may suit

May suit existing system owners, budget-conscious second-hand buyers, or photographers who already own compatible lenses.

What to check before buying used

The checks below are editorial guidance. Verify the individual camera and seller information before buying.

  • Inspect the body, screen, doors, seals, and tripod socket for impact or moisture damage.
  • Test every button, dial, flash, screen, and viewfinder.
  • Photograph a plain bright surface to check for sensor dust, dead pixels, or damage.
  • Inspect the lens mount and shutter; ask for the shutter count when the camera records one.
  • Confirm the battery holds charge and that a compatible charger is included or available.
  • Test a supported memory card and inspect the card slot for bent pins or read errors.
  • Inspect the battery compartment and contacts for leakage or corrosion.
  • Test video recording, microphones, stabilization, and the ports you expect to use.

Sensor metrics

Diagonal
27.76 mm

Sensor diagonal

√(23.1² + 15.4²) = 27.76 mm

Calculated from sensor width and height using the Pythagorean theorem.

Surface area
356 mm²

Sensor surface area

23.1 × 15.4 ≈ 356 mm²

A larger area usually offers more space to collect light, though image quality also depends on sensor generation.

Pixel pitch
5.01 µm

Pixel pitch

23.1 ÷ 4,615 × 1000 = 5.01 µm

Pixel pitch is the distance between the centers of adjacent pixels. This result assumes square pixels.

Pixel area
25.05 µm²

Pixel area

5.01² = 25.05 µm²

Theoretical pixel area is the square of pixel pitch and does not subtract physical gaps between pixels.

Pixel density
3.99 MP/cm²

Pixel density

14.2 MP ÷ 356 mm² ≈ 3.99 MP/cm²

Higher density means more pixels per unit area. It does not represent image quality on its own.

Actual sensor size

Rectangles use their physical proportions. Calibrate your display to approximate real-world size.

Calibrate screen size

Enter your display diagonal so sensor rectangles are shown closer to their physical size.

23.1 × 15.4 mm

Full specifications

Imaging

Effective pixels
14.2 MP
Total pixels
14.8 MP
Sensor
23.1 × 15.4 mm CMOS
Calculated resolution
4,615 × 3,077
Maximum image
4,608 × 3,072
Crop factor
1.56

Exposure & viewing

ISO
100–12,800
Viewfinder
Optical viewfinder
Display
3 in / 230,000 dots
Lens mount
Nikon F

Video & storage

Maximum video
1,920 × 1,080
Storage media
SDHC, SDXC, Secure Digital
Battery
Lithium-Ion EN-EL14 rechargeable battery Li-ion battery

Body

Weight
505 g
Dimensions
124 × 96 × 75 mm
Release year
2010

Nikon Our Product History

Aperture Priority
Yes
Battery
Lithium-Ion EN-EL14 rechargeable battery
Brand
Nikon
Built In Flash
✓
Crop Factor
1.56
Depth Of Field
simulate →
Digital Zoom
No
Dimensions
124 x 96 x 75 mm
Effective Megapixels
14.20
Exposure Compensation
±5 EV (in 1/3 EV steps)
External Flash
✓
Focal Length 35mm Equiv
—
Gps
—
Hdmi
✓
Iso
Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 (12800 with boost)
Macro Focus Range
—
Manual Focus
✓
Max Aperture
—
Max Aperture 35mm Equiv
n/a
Max Image Resolution
4608 x 3072
Max Shutter Speed
1/4000 sec
Max Video Resolution
1920x1080 (24p)
Metering
Multi, Center-weighted, Average
Min Shutter Speed
30 sec
Model
D3100
Normal Focus Range
—
Optical Zoom
—
Raw Support
✓
Screen Resolution
230,000 dots
Screen Size
3"
Sensor Resolution
4616 x 3077
Sensor Size
23.1 x 15.4 mm
Sensor Type
CMOS
Shutter Priority
Yes
Storage Types
SDHC, SDXC, Secure Digital
Total Megapixels
14.80
Usb
USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
Video Capture
✓
Viewfinder
Optical (pentamirror)
Weight
505 g
White Balance Presets
12
Wireless
—
Year
2010

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