What will i miss with my D3100?

I read a lot of answers on here and a couple of reviews saying don't get an entry level DSLR camera as you will grow out of it. What will I miss with my Nikon D3100? Are there really that many more ways to use a more expensive camera? Are we talking gimmicks? Is there a lot of equipment envy and snobbery in the photography world (like folk who like to squeeze 2 more BHP out their car so they can bore folk in the pub). Or are there real genuine, usable real world advantages.

If you learn how to properly operate this camera you won't miss anything unless it happens while you're pointed the other way. 95% of any good photo is because the photographer had the skills to get the shot.

Without the proper skills you could spend the family fortune on a camera and never get the results you want - get my meaning?

The higher end cameras, starting at the D90 add features. The D5100 is in the same class as the D3100, and they are both "entry level". Entry level is not bad, but you may indeed grow out of it as you find you need more features.

Most notably your camera lacks the ability to use AF lenses. The D3100 can only use AF-S lenses, which means you won't be able to have access to about 50% of the new lenses on the market, and many discontinued lenses as well.

These lenses will work on your D3100, but they won't autofocus.

The other major difference is the D3100 does not have an advanced flash control system.

Other than that, there's the typical small features that make it easier to take a photo (but not necessarily a better photo).

http://www.althephoto.com

Lack of auto-focus? Oh! Goody, rarely works properly. Lack of features? Learn how to take pictures, not rely on the features. What I would love is a fully manual digital camera.

Higher range cameras mean

1) Better noise performance at a high ISO… D90~D7000 performs good even at ISO 3200 (though you can feel the noise at around 1600 ISO too)

2) More lens options to use… For example see if you use a 'g' lens (eg 50mm 1.4G), you have to pay more… You don't have the 'D' option goin for D3100 but with cams starting from D90 you can also use 'D' lenses and that saves quite a few 100$ in the other way round…

3) If you go even higher say FX format cameras then they have the option where you can save the settings so that for taking 2-3 different shots you don't need to change settings again & again

4) U also get Improved VDO option in D90&D7000 though i'm not one of those VDO persons…

5) Tougher Mg alloy body giving a study feeling…

I have seen excellent pics coming from even D40… So never mind… Exhaust your D3100 (100, 000 clicks) then you can get a new camera which is out then…

The most important thing the D3100 is missing is a second control wheel. Having a second control wheel allows for much quicker camera manipulation, and is essential for anybody who shoots in manual mode.

The lack of a pentaprism is also a problem, it means the viewfinder is on the small side, and makes it difficult for anybody who needs to manual focus.

For professionals who want specialist lenses having a built in AF motor is useful as it allows them to use certain lenses more cost effectively. For example the AF Nikkor 85mm f1.4 is half the price of the AF-S version, that's a a huge amount of money. Same goes for the AF Nikkor 80-200mm f2.8 which is considerably cheaper than the AF-S 70-200mm f2.8 VR.

Wireless CLS (AWL) is useful, while not essential, it's handy for any photographer who needs to use lights as it saves you from shelling out for pocketwizards.

Your D3100 (as well the 40/50/60/70/80/90/3000/5000/5100) requires a CPU lens for metering, this restricts you to only AF, AF-S and AI-P lenses, and once more for specialists who need specialist macro lenses it helps to meter with AI lenses.