Is the Nikon D3100 good for SLR amateurs?

I'm a hiker, boatie and traveller so I have decided to get into SLR photography. However, i have had no experience with SLRs.

The things i want to be able to do with the camera are:
- take night time photos
- take close up photos of lizards and frogs
- take panoramic photos (however i heard that stitching the wide angle photos are much better than built in panorama)
- take photos of the stars

Added (1). I need to take several pictures on a tripod and then stitch them on photoshop, right?

Added (2). I need to take several pictures on a tripod and then stitch them on photoshop, right?

Yes. However, you can't take panoramic photos with it. You need another software.

You could do worse.

A d3100… No… Absolutely not. Same goes for the equivelant Canon. I mean they sell millions of them, people shoot superb pictures with them but there's still dozens of people asking about them here. Therefore there must be something wrong with them.

1. Night shots, get a tripod
2. You'll need a macro lens for that.
3. Easy. A tripod will make it easier but with a bit of practice you can even do it hand held. Wouldn't use photoshop to stich though, lousy program for that. Try Microsoft ICE instead.
4. Again, easy with a tripod.

I'd say try to find the kit with the nikon 18-105. Buy an 85mm macro lens and get yourself a tripod. Calumet's own brand has a decent and very affordable carbon tripod. Grab a remote from ebay and you're set.

That's a very, very good DSLR. Yes it is better to stitch the pictures.

Some say it's great for beginners because it has the on screen walkthrough of how to work the camera. I don't know anything about the camera except that it's a "good" beginner camera. I prefer the Canon EOS Rebel series because I trust Canon. It's just a trust thing I have with them. Some people say "You can pay more for the brand name, but you can get better for cheaper." I don't know what those better-for-cheaper cameras are, but I don't think I want to know because I like the look of the Rebels, good quality, and Canon is a stable and well-trusted company. I will be satisfied with a Canon Rebel. BUT, that's just me!

I think that for beginning, it's more about what DSLR is more comfortable for you. Amateurs won't be able to point out all of those specific things like a more advanced photographer can. Amateurs think ANY picture taken with a DSLR is good. Lol.

So you choose the camera that would be more comfortable for you and that you would be FULLY satisfied with. Then from there you can grow and decide what cameras you made need and such.

Now, I can tell you that you will need to do LOTS of research before buying a DSLR. Please do this. You don't want to get a DSLR and then have no clue on how to work it. If you don't know terms like aperture, ISO, shutter speed, f.stop, bokeh, depth of field, white balance, and just basic terms like that, I suggest you start researching right away! As an owner of a DSLR, you want to be able to use the camera to it's full ability. You can't just expect to flip it to Auto Mode and get great pictures. Manual controls is what you need to learn. You can find tutorials on YouTube on how to use DSLRs. Learn how to use them first, then you choose the camera you want and what will be necessary.

Don't forget to learn about different lens, also!

Yes - it's a good, entry level DSLR. It has 'scene modes' for those used to using a point & shoot camera, but also has fully manual controls for when you feel able to learn about the basics & move on.

It will do all the things you listed - and you are right - stitching several images is the right way to do panoramas.

You will need a tripod for long exposure shots (like night photography and stars) and for true macro (close-up) work, you would need a dedicated macro lens. Start with the kit lens for now though (usually the 18-55mm lens) and add lenses as you need them.