I've had this camera a year and a half. I got it right after it came on the market and at that time the reviews were all good. I was really pleased with it except for the way it eats batteries. In cold weather I can only get two photos on recharged batteries, and where I live it is cold much of the year. I liked the small size and The picture quality was really great. Everyone admired the photos I took with this camera. But the on-off control has broken and fallen off. And no wonder; the fault was with a very cheesy thin plastic part that broke because it couldn't take the wear and tear of being turned on and off. For what it cost, I should have had much more use from it. The other downsides to this camera were that I had to buy as extras all the cords, transformer, case, memory cards and other accessories needed to make it functional. Nothing came with it except a small 8mb memory card. Now I'm stuck with a couple hundred dollars worth of accessories that are all useless with another camera. If I had it to do over again, I would not buy this camera.

I've had this camera for a few months, and I bought it online as a refurbished item. I don't know if this is because it was a refurbished item, or if it's an actual issue with the cameras itself but this camera recently just died. I've tried a couple different batteries, and still no luck. It did this before, but it started working again after I left it alone for about a week.

But as others have said, this camera does have GREAT image quality. However, it does take a while to save the image and the autozoom is dreadfully slow. It might be worth the money, I can't really say.. but from my experience, no. The battery life is horrible.

I'd say the size of the camera, quality images, and numerous features are the only good things about this camera.

arrrgh!!! i'm so jealous of you people who get to buy this great little camera for this price. i bought this for about $100 more when it 1st came out (maybe 2 or 2 1/2 years ago). but i think it's still worth it. i only know how to work 2 of the knob settings, yet i still love it.
the life of a "stored recharged battery is short and unpredictable, but after reading "mermaid 2663's" reveiw, i'll take her advise and charge them the day before use.
the pictures come out great. i've taken pictures of pictures and the outcome is pretty good.
i got the perfect little nikon case on e-bay for $7.
sometimes i wonder if it's now obsolete, but
i still get compliments on my camera and pictures.

I got this camera Christmas 2003. Right away I noticed that I got about 5 pictures on regular batteries, but then I got the rechargeable batteries and have had no problem with battery life as long as I charge it the day I want to take pictures. You can't charge it and then use it a couple days later.

A couple months ago, the battery door basically broke. I can still use it, but it doesn't really close all the way. This hasn't affected the usability of my camera but it does get annoying.

Just tonight I was trying to delete a picture and found that my 'up' and 'right' buttons don't work anymore. I don't press these hard or anything so I have NO idea why they would stop working, but I think maybe this camera is just not very reliable.

On the plus side: it takes great high-quality pictures, the flash isn't too dark or bright, has lots of scene/flash options if you want to change them, and is a good camera especially for the new cheaper price (not worth the old, more expensive price).

The auto focus is broken in less than a year. It is totally unusable and cannot be repaired. Don't buy this item!

This camera is a great choice for a first digital camera. The picture quality is great, and with the museum mode, will allow great indoor pictures using existing light. You can take great shots, day and night, as long as you utilize the proper scene modes that are built into the camera.

The problems others seem to have are likely due to wrong battery choice. Make sure you purchase the correct nimh rechargeables as recommended by the manufacturer. With mine, I can take 150+ pictures on a single charge; turning the camera off when not in use.

The low price makes this camera a great deal; it's a good first camera or makes a great gift. I've had mine for over a year and have taken roughly 1800 pictures. Definitely recommended!

I have had my Nikon 3100 for almost two years now, and I take it wherever I go. I am a real photo and video enthusiast and I have owned cameras since my father gave me my first Kodak Brownie (I wish I still had it) when I was a kid. Although I own quite a collection of SLR cameras and camcorders, this is by far the camera I use the most because of it's versatility and superb picture quality. It's size is definitely a plus and it is really cute. Anywhere I have ever showed it off people compliment it's good looks and small size, even if there are other cameras around, such as sonys, minoltas or canons.
I agree with most of the pros that other users state in their reviews, but I have to be honest and say that there are a few of the flaws that most of the reviewers mention that I agree with also, such as poor picture quality in low light or indoors. A lot of the pictures taken when the flash goes off are definitely over-lighted. But I have gotten used to that and I still recommend the little camera overall. More expensive cameras with advanced features do not have this problems.
There is however one more con which I want to mention which is a major one for me and I am very surprised that I have never seen anybody say it before in any of the hundreds of reviews I've read: the LCD display on this camera scratches easily, no matter how much you take care of it. And I know what I am talking about! I take care of my cameras how you would'nt believe. Both my son and daughter own different digital cameras, a Fuji and a Canon, and their LCD screens are'nt a bit scratched no matter how much they throw them around. I carry my Nikon in a case and I have been really careful about the LCD screen since I noticed the first little scratch appear, but it is more scratched every day. This, I know, is a cosmetic detail, but it does affect the looks of the camera, and everyone notices it.
I would like to know if anybody else has noticed this. I've been thinking about buying another Nikon, maybe a Coolpix 4600 or 5600 just to upgrade to 4MP or 5MP, but I want to know if this happens to all of this little Nikons.
Nikon please take note.

Note: As of December 2005, there is a Service Advisory out of the 3100. Please see:

http://www.nikonusa.com/email_images/nikonusa/service_advisory/coolpix.html

My camera began showing problems a little after a year after purchase. The pictures had horizontal lines across them. I sent the camera in for the service advisory, in which they fix the camera free of charge.

I got the camera back a few weeks later, but there were even more problems! All pictures taken were unnaturally blue and no amount of ajusting of color fixed this. The horizontal lines also returned a day after they returned the camera. And lastly, the camera began showing a blank monitor when turned on. I called Nikon Tech Support, they told me to send it back in again.

That was three weeks ago. They have not responded to any of my emails for a status inquiry. I have no idea what is going on with my camera.

This has been a huge pain. Not only did we miss my daughter's second Christmas photos, but Nikon has not been in contact with us.

Also: Listen to the other reviews about the battery life. This Camera just eats them up, you have to constantly change the batteries, and the recharable ones last for just a few shots.

For the first year we were pretty happy. Now that the warrenty expired, it's a different story.

Good luck! I'll chose another camera the next time around.

I've been able to get some awesome closeup pictures of flowers, insects, and other things in my gardens with this camera (visit my website and you'll see what I mean). The color quality is excellent--the pictures are clear and sharp--and I've literally taken thousands of pictures with it in the last couple of years. I also use it on a daily basis in my classroom, photographing student artwork, and it's been great for that, too. I use rechargeable NiMH batteries and don't have any complaints about battery life.

Its low-light capabilities leave something to desired, however, and the 3x zoom is now inadequate for my personal and professional photographic needs. Still, it's a camera I'd definitely recommend to someone who wants to enter the world of digital photography and doesn't have a lot of money to spend. It's a good, affordable, entry-level, take everywhere camera.

The picture quality, size, weight all are excellent but the biggest problem is with battery consumption. The whole idea of a sleek camera ends when you have to keep a dozen batteries with you all the time.

I have used it alot but many times it died when I needed it most. I strongle recommend to look for another product.

I purchased this camera at least 3 years ago, so I have quite a bit of experience with it. I use it mainly now for eBay pics. When I do use it recreationally I find it aggreviating. When you take a pic you have to wait for the camera, at least 5 seconds to come back and sometimes mine actually goes to sleep! When you press the shutter button, the camera takes at least 2 seconds before the flash flashes and the pic is taken. I spent a lot, when I purchased this camera, a lot more than it is priced today. I bought it respecting the Nikon name. I wouldn't recommend this camera to anyone.

We have two Nikon Coolpixs 3100's in the family - both with serious problems. On the plus side, the camera takes good pictures when it works.

One has the lens mechanism failure (System Error shows, lens won't retract) and is unusable. The second was dropped, and the catch on the battery door broke. Unfortunately, the catch is part of the body, and so it's uneconomic to service. It's still usable on a tripd! I still use a 40 year old Nikkormat, but these cameras are built to a poor standard.

I really do not reccommend this camera. Frst of all, the battery life is extremely low. I can usualy go no more than 1/2 hour before I need to put in fresh batteries.
The print quality is terrible: all my mictures come out with muddy colors, no matter where I get them printed.
and the time it takes the shutter to open after I press the button is about 1.5 seconds: way too long if you are trying to capture a picture of a moving subject (like my two year old daughter).
I do not reccommend this camera at all.

I purchased this camera because of Nikon's past reputation. However, this camera started eating batteries after 3 months of operation. Further, the menu feature and delete features functioned erratically from the first day of use. I sent the camera in for repair under warranty. When returned, the camera was marginally better, with the menu feature as erratic as ever. And recently, the camera simply died. Total use was perhaps 300 pictures. I would not buy this camera again.

when I bought this camera about 3 years ago, it was more like $300 and a year after I bought it, the bottom part of it, the latch that holds the batteries in broke!
I tried bringing it back to the store and they could not do a thing------I see that it has been discontinued and I think that is for a very good reason!
don't waste your money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My Coolpix 3100 and I have been to a lot of places, many memorable photos taken. This is an excellent P&S digicam, much better than the Coolpix 4600 I initially bought to replace it.

Since then, I've owned the 4600, a Canon S2 IS, and a Pentax K100D. In the end, I keep coming back to my 3100. Call me crazy, but I've bought a second 3100 as a backup - I plan to keep this little critter for a long time.

My Coolpix 3100 and I have been to a lot of places, and many memorable photos were taken. This is an excellent P&S digicam, much better than the Coolpix 4600 I initially bought to replace it.

Since then, I've owned the 4600, a Canon S2 IS, and a Pentax K100D. In the end, I keep coming back to my 3100. Call me crazy, but I've bought a second 3100 as a backup - I plan to keep this little critter for a long time.

I have had this camera for 2 years now, I have not had a problem. Picture quality is very good! For the money, you cant beat it!

Initially we were happy with this camera even though it only shot 20 pics until the NiMH AA rechargeables ran out of juice. But then it dwindled down to about 2-3 pics so we got a CR-V3 Lithium Ion rechargeable which increased it up to 20 pics again - for about 2 months. Then it dwindled back down to 2 pics per charge. In that time, on a trip to BC Canada the camera got stuck in that it wouldn't open its lens but wouldn't shut off either. It got really warm, fried the digital picture memory chip with all our trip pics on it. Then 3 months later, it died altogether. What a waste of money, time, and trip pics which we will never get to see.