11 Best lenses for Nikon D3100 [updated 2024]

The Nikon D3100 is popular among beginner photographers due to its DX format and compatibility with F-mount lenses of varying focal lengths, from wide-angle to telephoto.

We have compiled a list of the best lenses for Nikon D3100 users, regardless of budget or skill level. From affordable options to professional-grade products – you can be sure we have something that meets your needs.

Read more: How to Choose a Camera Lens That Fits Your Needs.

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This comprehensive list of Nikon D3100 lenses has been organized by type and outlines details such as cost range, specifications, and performance capacity. The prices are categorized as follows:

• 0 – 400$ – Budget $
• 401 – 800$ – Average $$
• 801+ $ – Expert $$$

The list of lenses for Nikon D3100:

PORTRAIT lenses
1. Nikon AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.8G
2. Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G
3. Sigma 30mm f/1.4 ART DC HSM Lens

WIDE-ANGLE lenses
4. Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED
5. Tokina AT-X PRO 11-16mm F2.8 DXII Lens

TELEPHOTO lenses
6. Tamron Auto Focus 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 Di LD Macro Zoom
7. Sigma 150-600mm 5-6.3 Contemporary DG OS HSM

ZOOM lenses
8. Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM
9. Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 Contemporary DC Macro OS HSM
10. Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED

MACRO lens
11. Nikon AF-S VR Micro-NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED

portrait lenses

1. Nikon AF S Nikkor 85mm f/1.8G

The Nikon 85mm lens is one of the top contenders among photographers who want to capture high-quality images on a limited budget. This prime lens makes it easy to play with different portrait compositions.

Build and handling: The Nikon 85mm f/1.8G is the ideal combination of form and function. Its protective plastic casing and metal lens mount safeguard your lens from external dust particles. It may look bulkier than most, but it’s surprisingly lightweight, perfect for long shooting sessions.

Performance: Its wide f/1.8 aperture provides excellent results in low-light environments, while its shallow depth of field allows for a clean separation between subject and background elements. You can choose from two focus modes: manual priority AF or traditional manual focus. It also relies on super-fast wave motor autofocus technology, which is ideal for capturing videos.

Best for: This multi-use tool offers exceptional images when used for product photography and other special occasions, in addition to capturing portrait photographs.

With its fantastic bokeh effect, rich contrast, and shallow depth of field capabilities, this lens will give you beautiful images that will stand out.

2. Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G

Delivering almost as many benefits as the previous option, this affordable portrait lens features a 50mm focal length and f/1.8 aperture, making it a reliable and valuable addition to any camera kit.

Build and handling: Designed with consumers in mind, this portrait lens has all the necessary buttons and information. The weight of 6.6 oz (185 g) makes it ideal for extended hand-held photography sessions. Its lightweight design makes it an excellent choice for anyone seeking an easy-to-use, portable lens.

Performance: This lens provides remarkable image quality with its wide f/1.8 aperture, offering stunning bokeh and excellent subject separation from the background, even in low-light photography conditions. Although the autofocus speed is not that fast, it delivers outstanding performance overall. The only drawback of this lens is the slight softness that may occur at the corners and edges of your shots when using larger apertures.

Best for: This lens is tailored to portrait photography. Thanks to its smaller focal length, it requires less space around the subject compared to the 85mm version. It’s also suitable for indoor settings with limited space, as its versatile features allow for capturing beautiful product shots, landscapes, and various events.

Its image quality, lightweight design, and wide aperture make it an ideal choice for beginners seeking to venture into portrait photography. With its numerous advantages at a low price, this lens guarantees stunning results.

3. Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC HSM Fit Lens

The compact and affordable 30mm lens, boasting an impressive f/1.4 aperture, delivers exceptional performance with its HSM autofocus and high-quality build. It’s ideal for amateurs and professionals, providing reliable and outstanding results throughout your photographic journey.

Build and handling: The Sigma lens radiates a professional aura with its metallic appearance and thermally stable composite (TSC) construction. The lens features an elegant design, complete with clear and easy-to-read indicators. The focusing ring glides smoothly, providing appropriate resistance without feeling too tight or loose. The AF/Manual switch can be changed effortlessly with just a glance.

Performance: Sigma’s Hypersonic Motor’s internal autofocus system is remarkable, swift and near-silent. The lens also allows for manual focus while autofocus is engaged, as it keeps the front element in place at all times. With its 8-blade aperture, this Sigma lens delivers a stunning bokeh effect, and chromatic aberration is present but well-controlled, requiring minimal post-production adjustments.

Best for: It is an excellent option for capturing flawless indoor portraits, thanks to its short focal length and wide f/1.4 aperture, which delivers sharp results in low-light conditions. This exceptional lens is also versatile enough to capture stunning street architecture, landscapes, and travel images.

This Sigma lens for Nikon D3100 users delivers outstanding quality construction and beautiful bokeh effects in out-of-focus areas. Although not weather-sealed, it produces stunning pictures at an unbeatable price point.

wide-angle lenses

4. Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED

This wide-angle zoom lens is a fantastic option for hobby photographers, delivering exceptional quality at an affordable price. With its rapid autofocus motor and various focal lengths, you can explore the expansive world of photography.

Build and handling: The Nikon consumer-level lens is the perfect choice for those just starting, as it weighs a mere 16.2 oz (458 g) and is effortless to maneuver hand-held. Also, you can make quick changes between M/A and M focusing modes by simply flipping its convenient switch.

Performance: It is an excellent feat at its price range, with a maximum aperture of f/3.5. However, good lighting is essential for optimal shooting results; without it, photos may be noisy and grainy. Fortunately, the Silent Wave Motor ensures that captured videos maintain clarity and vibrancy.

Best for: With its wide-angle abilities and multiple focal lengths, this lens is an excellent choice for real estate photography, gathering events, group shots, or street photography in restrictive spaces. Its ability to capture many subjects within one picture makes it perfect for quickly capturing all the details from any area.

The budget-friendly wide-angle lens is an ideal choice for amateur photographers searching for a wide range of perspectives without spending a fortune on additional camera equipment.

5. Tokina AT-X PRO 11-16mm F2.8 DXII Lens

This ultra wide-angle f/2.8 aperture zoom creates crisp images from any distance with its consistent aperture control, making it an excellent choice for indoor and outdoor photography.

Build and handling: The Tokina lens is ideal for photographers of all levels, thanks to its robust plastic casing and a rubber grip ring that enhances handling. It features a nine-blade aperture that creates stunning bokeh effects and includes two Super Low Dispersion glass elements and two aspherical elements to decrease chromatic aberration and enhance contrast and sharpness. Furthermore, its multi-layer coating effectively reduces reflections, ensuring optimal optical quality.

Performance: The autofocus system offers fast, silent performance with its internal motor that allows you to capture sharp images with minimal blurring around the edges. While shooting in bright natural light, there may be some mild chromatic aberration or fringing along the corners of your shots. Nevertheless, this can easily be edited during post-production.

Best for: With its wide-angle capability and large aperture, this lens is perfect for shooting in tight spaces like real estate interiors and indoor events. It’s a versatile tool that lets you capture expansive landscapes or ensure everyone fits into group photos without missing anyone. Its features make it great for photographing the night sky, adding a stunning dimension to your images with beautiful nightscapes.

The Tokina 11-16mm F/2.8 lens stands out for its exceptional value and superior quality. It features a consistently fast aperture throughout its zoom range, delivering remarkable optical performance. This lens is guaranteed to fulfill your photography needs.

telephoto lenses

6. Tamron Auto Focus 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 Di LD Macro Zoom

The Tamron 70-350mm lens is an affordable option that is hard to beat in price. Despite being a budget lens, Tamron has managed to maintain decent build quality, with tight build tolerances, a metal mount, and decent quality plastic.

Build and handling: Despite its low price, the Tamron lens feels remarkably sturdy and operates smoothly. This Di-type lens features an optical system with enhanced multi-coating designed explicitly for use with digital SLR cameras. It can achieve a maximum magnification ratio of 1:2, providing detailed close-up shots that fill the viewfinder.

Performance: While the Tamron lens performs well throughout the 70-200mm zoom range, it struggles at the maximum 300mm focal length, decreasing sharpness. Additionally, handheld shooting without stabilization becomes difficult. When taking sharp macro shots, the resolution declines significantly if you choose a small aperture to increase the depth of field.

Best for: Photographers looking to capture distant sports or wildlife subjects and close-range details will find the lens’s macro function particularly useful. Available at focal lengths ranging from 70mm to 300mm, this wildlife lens for the Nikon D3100 is perfect for outdoor adventures on a minimal budget.

Although it falls within the lower price range, the Tamron lens delivers good image quality, has a long zoom range, and has decent build quality. If you need a long zoom lens without breaking the bank, the Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro 1:2 AF is worth considering.

7. Sigma 150-600mm 5-6.3 Contemporary DG OS HSM

This lens is excellent for capturing lively wildlife and sports action, providing quality at an affordable price. It is ideal for those pursuing careers in these photography genres.

Build and handling: This lens offers professional-grade performance and is lighter than many competitors at just 68.1 oz (1,930 g). Its sturdy grip and compact design will elevate your photography experience.

Performance: Photographers seeking long focal lengths, large apertures, and professional features will find this product satisfying. Its outstanding performance in low light, smooth autofocusing thanks to a hypersonic motor, and built-in image stabilization technology make it a perfect choice for photographers of any level.

Best for: This telephoto lens is an excellent option if you want to take breathtaking photos of distant subjects. It offers a maximum focal length of 600mm, ensuring sharp images, especially when used with a tripod. This lens is perfect for photographing wildlife in their natural surroundings, capturing thrilling moments in sports, or getting stunning close-up views of landscapes.

Though it may be costlier than other options, this lens’s extraordinary qualities and performance make its price tag worthwhile.

zoom lenses

8. Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM

Its large aperture simplifies photographing subjects both near and distant. Additionally, this affordable lens delivers outstanding performance, making it an excellent choice for beginners.

Build and handling: Although it weighs only 19.9 oz (565 g), this lens features robust optical stabilization. It incorporates advanced technology, including two Fluorite Low Dispersion components, two glass-molded aspherical elements, and one hybrid aspherical element, all contributing to superior image quality. Additionally, its Super Multi-Layer Coating enhances picture clarity and reduces glare.

Performance: This zoom lens’s constant f/2.8 aperture allows you to capture outstanding visuals, even in low–light conditions. It maintains a fixed aperture across all focal lengths, producing clear and crisp images from corner to corner, except for at mid-zoom settings, where just slight blurring can be noticed.

Best for: This lens meets your requirements if you’re always on the move and passionate about photography. Offering an impressive 17-50mm focal length range, it’s perfect for capturing everything from wide landscapes to bustling street scenes.

This zoom lens is an excellent choice for daily photography, offering remarkable features like a wide f/2.8 aperture and built-in optical stabilization at an affordable price.

9. Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 Contemporary DC Macro OS HSM

If you need a reliable, cost-effective lens that covers a wide range of focal lengths, consider Sigma’s 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS Lens. It boasts precise HSM autofocus, sophisticated optical stabilization, and an impressively close minimum focusing distance, making it an ideal option.

Build and handling: This lens features a blend of metal and plastic parts, with a sturdy brass bayonet mount and high-quality glass optics, offering excellent construction quality at a low price. Its Thermally Stable Composite material maintains performance across different temperatures. Additionally, it has a slim manual focus ring near the front element and a 7-blade rounded diaphragm, creating beautiful bokeh effects.

Performance: This multipurpose lens offers a minimum focus distance of 8.6 inches, allowing Nikon D3100 users to access remarkable 1:2.9 macro magnification at its 70mm setting. Also, it results in stunning shallow depth-of-field shots with an f/2.8 aperture on the DSLR camera sensor. It is also equipped with Vibration Reduction technology for up to 3 stops of compensation.

Best for: This highly affordable lens, with its 17-70mm focal range, is ideal for everyday and travel photography. It excels in capturing wide shots in low-light conditions and effortlessly photographs streetscapes and landscape details when fully zoomed out.

It will deliver superior image quality and versatile macro performance, making your photographs stand out.

10. Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED

This lens captures stunning photos thanks to its wide aperture, allowing for beautiful shots of subjects, whether near or distant. It’s also affordable and user-friendly, making it an excellent choice for those new to photography.

Build and handling: The Nikon 16-80mm strikes a glorious balance between size and power. Its lightweight polycarbonate body is just 3.3 x 3.1 inches, yet it still houses technology such as four ED elements for optimal resolution. Rubberized rings regulate zoom and focus functions, and Nano Crystal Coat technology minimizes ghosting or flare from bright light sources.

Performance: This zoom lens may not provide a constant f/2.8 aperture, but it’s impressive f/2.8-4 still offers great speed and is coupled with 4-stop Vibration Reduction. You might experience some chromatic aberration or distortion at a shorter range; however, these can be easily adjusted during post-production editing.

Best for: If you’re a travel photographer, this lens will be your ideal accessory for your Nikon D3100. It can capture scenes ranging from wide landscapes to closeup candids, and its impressive range of focal lengths makes this one item all you need for any travel photography endeavor.

Its lightweight design and remarkable f/2.8-4 zoom range make shooting on long trips a breeze without compromising image quality or clarity. While slight distortions and soft edges at high aperture levels may occur in lenses of this type, it will continue to astound you with excellent performance.

macro lens

11. Nikon AF-S VR Micro-NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED Lens

Macro photographers will be delighted with this lens, as it is small and efficient enough to render life-size images from DSLR sensors. Adding the f/2.8 aperture and integrated optical stabilization system further enhances its capability by allowing you to take gorgeous photos even in dim lighting.

Build and handling: It measures 4.6 x 3.3 inches (116 x 83 mm) and weighs 27.9 ounces (790 grams). It is constructed of black composite and has an ergonomic rubberized grip around its manual focus ring and toggle switches for easy access to autofocus/manual mode. Also, an Optical Stabilization system’s on/off functions are on the lens.

Performance: Equipped with SWM Technology, this lens offers fast and quiet autofocus, enabling seamless switching between autofocus and manual focus. Its Internal Focusing (IF) system keeps the front element fixed, simplifying the use of circular polarizing filters. The enhanced Vibration Reduction (VR II) system also ensures sharp images at shutter speeds up to four stops slower than required.

Best for: If capturing the beauty of small subjects, such as insects, is your ambition, this macro lens should be considered. With its 105mm focal length, you can capture the perfect shot from a safe distance without any potential shading that will ruin your capture.

This lens has an optical stabilization feature and is perfect for capturing sharp images and focusing up close at 1:1 magnification.

Conclusion

When selecting the best lenses for the Nikon D3100, making an informed decision is vital as it can significantly impact the quality of your photographs. Rather than opting for a generic option that may not meet your needs, we advise carefully evaluating the features of each lens before making a purchase. There is no single “perfect” choice for everyone. We hope our curated selection will aid your decision-making process, enabling you to choose the ideal lens for your photographic journey.

Read more: Best Nikon DX lenses.

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