Nikon D3100 Digital Camera Review

Dynamic Range

The D3100 gets more than 7.5 stops of clean dynamic range that is not affected by noise at ISO 100, with excellent range through ISO 400. At ISO 800 performance falls off by more than a full stop, however, and falls to just under two stops at the camera's maximum ISO of 12800. More on how we test dynamic range.

The Nikon D3100 puts up around a half stop greater range at ISO 100 through 400 than the D3000, which is a big positive given the fact that it offers greater image resolution as well. The D3100's hard falloff at ISO 800 and above brings its performance back in line with the D3000, however. We found the Sony NEX-5 offered the greatest range here, though its aggressive noise reduction settings (it can't be completely deactivated) lend it a little bonus in this test. The Pentax K-r and the Canon T3 also beat out the Nikon D3100, though by a much thinner margin.