D100

Released June 2002

A 6.1-megapixel DX digital SLR with a Nikon F mount, five-area autofocus and CompactFlash storage.

Type: DSLR
Sensor: APS-C
Megapixels: 6.1
Lens: Nikon F mount
Video: –
Body weight: 700.2 g

What reviewers say

Both praise image quality, extensive controls and long battery life, but find some settings awkward to access. Both notice soft JPEGs; Macworld considers this readily corrected in editing, while DPReview finds lost detail and recommends RAW for sharper results. DPReview also praises responsive operation and ergonomics but criticises slow compressed-RAW writing and inconsistent D-TTL flash exposure.

From dpreview.com and macworld.com

Specifications

Report a wrong or missing spec

Image and sensor

Camera type: DSLR
Sensor format: APS-C
Sensor type: CCD
Sensor dimensions: 23.7 × 15.6 mm
Effective resolution: 6.1 MP
Largest image: 3008 × 2000
RAW recording: Yes
Standard ISO range: 200–1600
Sensor detail: 23.7 × 15.6 mm RGB CCD, 6.1 million effective and 6.31 million total pixels; 12-bit sampling. Optical low-pass filter, with cleaning mirror lock requiring optional EH-5 mains adapter
Image formats: Uncompressed or lossless-compressed 12-bit NEF RAW; uncompressed TIFF-RGB; JPEG Fine/Normal/Basic. Three colour modes for sRGB or Adobe RGB, adjustable sharpening, tone and hue; no simultaneous RAW/JPEG mode
ISO detail: Standard ISO 200–1600 in one-third stops; Hi-1 and Hi-2 approximately ISO 3200 and 6400; automatic ISO control available
Image processor: High-speed image processing using a single-chip system LSI; no EXPEED designation in original maker sheet

Lens and shooting

Lens mount: Nikon F mount
Stabilisation: Optical lens stabilisation
Maximum continuous burst: 3 fps
Lens detail: Nikon F mount with autofocus coupling and contacts; body autofocus motor. G/D AF Nikkor, other compatible AF lenses and AI-P supported with restrictions; non-CPU lenses only in M with no exposure meter. Current US page also claims AI metering and A mode, conflicting with its own non-CPU entry and original manual; original manual compatibility controls. E-type lenses incompatible
Autofocus: Nikon Multi-CAM900 TTL phase detection; five selectable areas, single-area or dynamic AF with closest-subject priority; single/continuous servo and predictive tracking; -1 to +19 EV at ISO 100, 20°C; AF-assist illuminator
Shutter: Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter, 1/4000 to 30 seconds plus Bulb; flash synchronisation up to 1/180 second. Optional mirror anti-shock delay; cleaning mirror lock is distinct
Burst detail: Approximately 3 fps under Nikon's manual-focus, manual-exposure, 1/250-second-or-faster test. Manual buffer up to six frames or four RAW images; with noise reduction enabled, three frames or two RAW images; single-frame and self-timer modes
Stabilisation detail: Optical VR depends on the attached lens; no sensor-shift stabilisation
Flash: Built-in manually raised D-TTL Speedlight; manual guide number 18 m at ISO 200 or 12.7 m at ISO 100 in original manual; D-TTL guide number 17 m at ISO 200. Compatible external Speedlights, rear-curtain/slow/red-eye modes; no i-TTL; sync socket requires optional AS-15 shoe adapter
Exposure controls: P/S/A/M, 3D matrix, centre-weighted and spot metering; ±5 EV compensation; exposure/flash and white-balance bracketing. Original maker sheet specifies ten-segment SPD matrix meter; current US page says 1005-pixel CCD, a source conflict

Screen and viewfinder

Viewfinder: Optical
Screen size: 1.8″
Screen dots: 118,000
Touchscreen: No
Tilting screen: No
Display detail: Fixed 1.8-inch TFT for menus and image playback; current US specification and original sheet give 118000 dots, original manual approximately 120000. BM-2 protective cover and illuminated top status panel
Viewfinder detail: Fixed pentaprism, approximately 95% coverage and 0.8× magnification with 50mm lens at infinity; selectable grid and depth-of-field preview. Current US and original sheet give 20 mm eyepoint; original manual 24 mm, retained as a source conflict

Connections and design

Battery life (maker's claim): 370 photographs
Body weight: 700.2 g
Release detail: Nikon's 2002 annual report retrospectively records launch in June 2002; no actual retail day claimed
Recording media: Single CompactFlash Type I/II slot, Microdrive compatible; original approved capacities and models in manual, no inferred UDMA speed support
Ports: USB 1.1, switchable NTSC/PAL playback video output and EH-5 DC input. Optional MB-D100 adds ten-pin remote terminal; current US ten-pin listing does not distinguish this accessory
Wireless connections: No built-in wireless connectivity; optional Nikon Capture software provides USB remote camera control
Battery life detail: EN-EL3 lithium-ion battery; main 370 shots is the manual's single-frame Nikon test, not CIPA, at 20°C with AF-S 24–85mm, Large/Normal JPEG, flash every other shot and shutdown after ten shots. Separate continuous Medium/Basic JPEG test approximately 1600 shots. Optional MB-D100 takes one or two EN-EL3 batteries or six AA cells
Charging: External MH-18 charger; optional MH-19 or EH-5 mains adapter
Dimensions: Original manual and sheet approximately 144 × 116 × 80.5 mm; current US metric width 114.78 mm conflicts with its 5.7-inch width and original maker dimensions
Weight detail: Current US approximately 700.2 g; original manual approximately 700 g without battery or memory card
Colours: Black

Video

Video detail: No movie recording or live-view shooting; NTSC/PAL output is for playback
Audio: Voice-memo recording and playback require optional MB-D100 grip; no built-in movie audio