d3100 V d90 V 550d - High ISO Question

Steelfish

Steelfish

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Hi,

I did a quick search but couldn't find the answer. Does anyone know if the high ISO modes of the d3100 are better or worse than say the d90?

I used to own a d90, stupidly selling it a couple of months back, and as I've been failing to find a supplier with keenly priced 550ds in stock my eye has been turned by the d3100.

I'm not bothered by the fact that I'm one control wheel down going to the d3100, nor the relatively low res display on the back, or even the loss of built in focus motor. What I am really keen on is a decent battery life, great high ISO performance, and a small(ish) body size.

I'd plan to run it with the kit lens for a while, and get another 35mm 1.8 AFS, perhaps the 50mm AFS (when it becomes available) and further down the line the 16-85mm.

EDIT: I should also mention that I've googled, but I can't seem to find a definitive opinion as to whether or not the d3100 in high ISO can cut it v the other two cameras I mentioned.

Does this sound like a plan or am I crazy?
 
I think the Nikon D3100 has a ISO range of 100-1600 which can be extended up to 3200, the Canon 550D has ISO from 100-6400 which can be extended to 12800, if its any help i went from the D90 to the 550D and i have not regretted it since....
 
scottthehat said:
this might help on the pics at 6400 the d90 looks better than both.
http://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM
Click to expand...

Brilliant link, thanks.

Martylaa said:
I think the Nikon D3100 has a ISO range of 100-1600 which can be extended up to 3200, the Canon 550D has ISO from 100-6400 which can be extended to 12800, if its any help i went from the D90 to the 550D and i have not regretted it since....
Click to expand...

Trouble is I can't find the 550d new or almost new for less than about £530. Almost bagged one on the hot uk deals tip for 519, but they cancelled the order as it was out of stock. Aargh!! Only kit I can find in stock, not at crazy prices is the d3100. Prices seem to be going up on a daily basis now.

I did actually order a d5100 from digital rev, then cancelled as I wouldn't be in to receive it next week - and the price has already gone up again.

Might have to think again. Luckily the dude who was buying my GF1 has gone incommunicado, so I won't be left without a camera whilst I continue the hunt. Cheers.
 
The D90 looks a little better at 100%, but downsize the 550D to the same size (12mp) and they would probably look near Identical. Same for the D3100 vs. 550D
 
I don't know what the budget is but the new D5100 should be substantially better than all three at high iso
 
gad-westy said:
I don't know what the budget is but the new D5100 should be substantially better than all three at high iso
Click to expand...

The 5100 is pretty much top of the budget at present but it would have to be my only camera. If i could get a 550d, or if the 3100 can cut it I can keep my gf1 and pancake lens as the more pocketable camera.
 
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Steelfish said:
The 5100 is pretty much top of the budget at present but it would have to be my only camera. If i could get a 550d, or if the 3100 can cut it I can keep my gf1 and pancake lens as the more pocketable camera.
Click to expand...

Why not just buy a 2nd hand D90? Prob pick a decent one up for around £400. You know where you are with it and have some cash for a lens.
 
Dr_O said:
Why not just buy a 2nd hand D90? Prob pick a decent one up for around £400. You know where you are with it and have some cash for a lens.
Click to expand...

I guess it would be slightly annoying as I flogged off my Nikon lenses quite cheap recently - I did get £410 for the body though, and I'd have to rebuy them again at the inflated prices of this month. IIRC I bought the 35mm 1.8 AFS for £130 brand new, no chance of getting that again without a wallet squeeze!!

Although I really loved my d90 and the controls, I found it annoyingly heavy and a bit of a b****r to cart about on family days out. I wanted something with the same functionality but in the d3100 size/weight.

Anyway - I just bagged a nearly new 550d & 18-55 for a decent price - which I know is quite a handy size, weight and decent ISO, so I can keep my GF1 and pancake lens. yay ;-)

Thanks for all the advice on the thread though.
 
squishy said:
hope you like it :)
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Thank you.

I am now so bored of checking charts, Flickr groups and forums that it'll feel like a holiday when it arrives and i can just take some more bloody pics ;-)
 
Durn missed this thread, D5100 isn't worth buying when the D3100 exists unless you want a swivle screen. The D7000 is the upgrade from the D3100, but you may really miss the build and display of the D90 if you go that way The D3100 goes up to ISO 3200 and then can be boosted twice after that to ISO 12,800

I don't mind people recommending canon but keep yer grubby mitts off our iso ;)
 
Well I guess it wasn't to be after all. Bought second hand (not off here), supposedly only a week's use. And yes it looked decidedly 2nd hand! Funnily enough for a week's use they'd left an SD card in the camera with 4 gb worth of pics from last June/July, and sadly it was missing the charger.

Sadly they weren't even exciting pics either!!! It's gone back, and I'm still hunting.
 
Decca said:
Durn missed this thread, D5100 isn't worth buying when the D3100 exists unless you want a swivle screen. The D7000 is the upgrade from the D3100, but you may really miss the build and display of the D90 if you go that way The D3100 goes up to ISO 3200 and then can be boosted twice after that to ISO 12,800

I don't mind people recommending canon but keep yer grubby mitts off our iso ;)
Click to expand...

ay the d7000 is better built than the d90, and has a better display.
 
Finally sorted out with a d3100 after getting a refund. Ordered new from a reputable dealer - should be with me tomorrow or Monday.

Noticed the 550d I returned is back up on Amazon for almost 600 quid - a huge amount more than I paid for it, no mention of missing chargers. I think I'll be steering clear of Amazon market place sellers in future.
 
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