Nikon Coolpix 3100 Review: Page 3

Capture and Playback Modes

Setting the mode dial on the top of the camera to general Auto mode and pushing the menu button on the back of the camera , displays a 'Shooting Menu' on the camera's LCD screen:

The Auto mode 'Shooting Menu' includes settings for: Image Quality/Size, Exposure Compensation, Date Imprint and Memory Card Format.

Manual Mode
A more advanced 'Shooting Menu' is displayed if the camera's mode dial is set to Manual mode , before pushing the menu button.

The Manual mode 'Shooting Menu' includes settings for: Image Quality/Size, White Balance, Exposure Compensation, Date Imprint, Continuous, Best Shot Selector (BSS), Image Sharpening and Memory Card Format.

Playback Menu
As mentioned above, a simple press of the play button activates playback mode. Pushing the menu button while in playback mode displays two sub-menus on the LCD screen. One is the 'Playback Menu' and the other is the 'Pic Enhance Menu'.

The 'Playback Menu' provides options for setting; Print Set, Slide Show, Image Delete, Image Protect, and Auto Transfer.

• The Print Set feature allows the user to "tag" selected images for direct printing. (DPOF compatible printers).
  
  
• The Slide Show feature provides the option of selecting all images,or just selected images to playback as a slide show. (Can connect to TV with supplied video cable). Vertically captured images can also be rotated so that they will display properly when viewed on a monitor or TV.
  
  
• The Delete function allows the user to delete a selected image or all images on the memory card.
  
  
• The Image Protect feature can be set to safeguard an image (or multiple images) from accidental deletion.
  
  
• The Auto Transfer function allows the user to "tag" specific images or all images for easy transfer to a computer.

Pic. Enhance Menu
The 'Pic Enhance Menu' provides options for setting; Pic. Enhance, Small Pic, and Photo Trim.

• The Pic. Enhance function provides the ability to apply creative image effects such as B/W, sepia and halo filters, to captured images.

• The Small Picture function creates reduced-size pictures for web posting or e-mail attachments without altering the original image. Three image sizes are selectable-640 x 480, 320 x 240 and 160 x 120. You cannot apply the Small Picture function to an image that has already been reduced using this function. The Small Picture function also does not work for movies and images to which an image effect was already applied.
  
  
• The 'Photo trim' function allows users to crop an unwanted portion of any picture while it's still in the camera. The cropped image can then be saved as a copy while preserving the original image. Ideal if you want to show an image in a slide show straight from the camera, or if going direct to print. The Coolpix 3100 is direct print compatible via USB connection with select Epson Inkjet printers. (No computer required to print the image).
  
  

Set Up Menu
Turning the mode dial to 'Set Up' and pushing the menu button activitates the 'Set Up' menu. The options in this menu include settings for; Welcome Screen, Language, Date, LCD Brightness, Volume, Auto Off, CF Card Format, USB connection, Video Mode, and Reset All.

• Welcome Screen: A welcome image, selected by the user, can be displayed on the monitor when the camera is turned on. When this feature is selected, the chosen picture will appear at startup even when the memory containg the image is removed from the camera. It is possible to disable the Welcome Screen if so desired.
  
  
• Language: Allows the user to set the language of preference for all menus and settings. (German, English, French, Japanese, Spanish)
  
  
• Date: The date can be set to display by Year/Month/Day, Day/Month/Year or Month/Day/Year
  
  
• LCD Brightness : The LCD screen brightness level can be adjusted depending on viewing conditions. (5 steps)
  
  
• Volume: This option is used to enable or disable the sounds played when you turn the camera on, select a new mode, make a selection from menus, or release the shutter.
  
  
• Auto Off: When operated on battery power, the camera will enter standby mode if no operations are performed for the length of time selected in the Auto Off menu. Choose from 30s (default), 1 min, 5 min or 30 min.
  
  
• Video Mode: Before connecting the camera to a video device such as a TV or a VCR, the user can choose a video mode setting that matches the video standard used in their country. The Coolpix 3100 supports both PAL and NTSC broadcast standards.
  
  
• Reset All: Restores settings to default values.