Canon T1i vs Nikon D3000

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Canon T1i vs Nikon D3000

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APS-C 332.3mm²
15.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Canon T1i Review.
See real-world photos taken with the T1i.

APS-C 372.9mm²
10.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 1600

Go in depth with our full Nikon D3000 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the D3000.

Succeeded by the Canon T2i
Compare T1i vs T2i
Compare Canon T2i vs Nikon D3000

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Differences

Canon T1i advantages over Nikon D3000

Fast startup
~0.30 vs 0.7 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
T1i test data on DxO Mark D3000 test data on DxO Mark

663 vs 563 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Lighter weight
526g vs 800g
Lighter weight
More dots on screen
920k vs 230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
Less shutter lag
0.16 vs 0.26 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
15.1 vs 10.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Faster JPEG shooting
3.4 fps vs 3.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 16 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
12800 vs 3200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon D3000 advantages over Canon T1i

Larger sensor
APS-C vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Less expensive
$600 vs $900 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Bigger pixels
~ 6.10 vs 4.69 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

550 vs 400 shots
Capture more photos

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Pentaprism viewfinder
Neither provide
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

Read our Canon T1i Full Review

Read our Nikon D3000 Full Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon XSi

Canon T1i

Canon XSi

$900
APS-C

Fast startup
HDMI out

$649
APS-C

Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon T1i vs Canon XSi

Nikon D3000

Canon XSi

$450
APS-C

Larger sensor
Less expensive

$649
APS-C

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon D3000 vs Canon XSi

Compared to Sony DSLR-A350

Canon T1i

Sony DSLR-A350

$900
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$900
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon T1i vs Sony DSLR-A350

Nikon D3000

Sony DSLR-A350

$450
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$900
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Tiltable Screen

Compare Nikon D3000 vs Sony DSLR-A350

Compared to Pentax K2000

Canon T1i

Pentax K2000

$900
APS-C

HDMI out
More dots on screen

$556
APS-C

Larger sensor
Less expensive

Compare Canon T1i vs Pentax K2000

Nikon D3000

Pentax K2000

$450
APS-C

Less expensive
More AF points

$556
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
More cross-type AF points

Compare Nikon D3000 vs Pentax K2000

Compared to Sony DSLR-A230

Canon T1i

Sony DSLR-A230

$900
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$549
APS-C

Larger sensor
Less expensive

Compare Canon T1i vs Sony DSLR-A230

Nikon D3000

Sony DSLR-A230

$450
APS-C

Lens selection
Faster JPEG shooting

$549
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
HDMI out

Compare Nikon D3000 vs Sony DSLR-A230

Compared to Sony DSLR-A330

Canon T1i

Sony DSLR-A330

$900
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$530
APS-C

Larger sensor
Less expensive

Compare Canon T1i vs Sony DSLR-A330

Nikon D3000

Sony DSLR-A330

$450
APS-C

Lens selection
More viewfinder magnification

$530
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Tiltable Screen

Compare Nikon D3000 vs Sony DSLR-A330

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