D3100 upgrade: I love my 3100, but I know there have been a lot of changes since it came out (mine is at least seven years old). I would like to upgrade with a used or refurb that...

axiesdad Loc: Monticello, Indiana

I love my 3100, but I know there have been a lot of changes since it came out (mine is at least seven years old). I would like to upgrade with a used or refurb that would be compatible with my lenses and not spend a fortune, like less than a thousand bucks. Any suggestions?

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

axiesdad wrote:

I love my 3100, but I know there have been a lot of changes since it came out (mine is at least seven years old). I would like to upgrade with a used or refurb that would be compatible with my lenses and not spend a fortune, like less than a thousand bucks. Any suggestions?

Look for a D7000 or D7200.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313&_nkw=d7200&_sacat=0

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

axiesdad wrote:

I love my 3100, but I know there have been a lot of changes since it came out (mine is at least seven years old). I would like to upgrade with a used or refurb that would be compatible with my lenses and not spend a fortune, like less than a thousand bucks. Any suggestions?

How about a used D7000?

Dennis

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

Look for a good used/refurbed D5600 or step up to the D7xxx series with a used/refurbed D7200. Hard to beat the D7200, and it’s compatible with your lenses. You gain a better sensor and processor as well as a pentaprism rather than a pentamirror that’s in the D3100. The pentaprism viewfinder is larger and brighter than a pentamirror viewfinder. That’s a real plus.

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

Wingpilot wrote:

Look for a good used/refurbed D5600 or step up to the D7xxx series with a used/refurbed D7200. Hard to beat the D7200, and it’s compatible with your lenses. You gain a better sensor and processor as well as a pentaprism rather than a pentamirror that’s in the D3100. The pentaprism viewfinder is larger and brighter than a pentamirror viewfinder. That’s a real plus.

Great advice!

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Although normally I ask 'why' your D3100 isn't meeting your needs. But, at 7-years service and the opportunities to jump from the 14MP of the D3100, there are several opportunities for DX-style cameras:

D3500 - current model, 24MP
D5600 - current model, 24MP, with moveable rear screen
D7500 - current model, 21MP, with moveable read screen
Z50 - current model, 21MP, mirrorless

And, of course, one model back are equally good models, typically with the same or more megapixel resolution, and readily available used.

axiesdad Loc: Monticello, Indiana

Thank you all for the quick responses. My biggest problem was that there were just so many choices. You have narrowed the field so now I can start to finalize a selection.

kmielen Loc: Eastern NC

axiesdad wrote:

Thank you all for the quick responses. My biggest problem was that there were just so many choices. You have narrowed the field so now I can start to finalize a selection.

I have had the same dilemma as I deal with a persistent case of GAS.
In my case, moving up from the D5500.
I find the cameradecision.com site to be quite informative.
Just Type "Dxxx vs. D3100" into your favorite search engine, where Dxxx is the model you are interested in finding out about.

CO

Wingpilot wrote:

Look for a good used/refurbed D5600 or step up to the D7xxx series with a used/refurbed D7200. Hard to beat the D7200, and it’s compatible with your lenses. You gain a better sensor and processor as well as a pentaprism rather than a pentamirror that’s in the D3100. The pentaprism viewfinder is larger and brighter than a pentamirror viewfinder. That’s a real plus.

The pentaprism viewfinder is definitely superior to a pentamirror. The large, slightly brighter view helps with composition.

CO

The D3xxx and D5xxx series Nikons have a pentamirror viewfinder. If you go with a D7xxx series or above Nikon, you get a pentaprism viewfinder. The larger, slightly brighter view helps. The D500 is a DX camera but its viewfinder is almost as large as a full frame, FX camera.

Pentaprism viewfinder left, Pentamirror viewfinder right (Both DX cameras)

(Download)

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

First you should determine exactly what characteristics and/or features you want to upgrade. Then it will be easier for you to narrow down which cameras would be right for you.

BebuLamar

The D7200 is a good candidate but just checked Ebay and the price is kind of high.

CO

Here's one of the best things that Nikon has done with their latest cameras. They moved the ISO button to the top of the camera. This is the D7500. It's $996 right now. That's within your budget.

(Download)

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

What type of photography are you interested in?

kmielen Loc: Eastern NC

CO wrote:

Here's one of the best things that Nikon has done with their latest cameras. They moved the ISO button to the top of the camera. This is the D7500. It's $996 right now. That's within your budget.

So many choices..... I too, had (almost) settled on the D7500. Then I realized for about the same money I can get a refurb Z5 from Nikon. Only problem with that choice will be all the glass I'll need to eventually replace.