Canon T2i vs Nikon D3100

Cameras
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Canon T2i vs Nikon D3100

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APS-C 332.3mm²
18.0 megapixels
ISO 100 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Canon T2i Review.
See real-world photos taken with the T2i.

APS-C 355.7mm²
14.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 3200

Go in depth with our full Nikon D3100 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the D3100.

Succeeded by the Canon T3i
Compare T2i vs T3i

Succeeded by the Nikon D3200
Compare D3100 vs D3200

Compare CANON T3I vs NIKON D3200

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Differences

Canon T2i advantages over Nikon D3100

External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
More dots on screen
1040k vs 230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
More pixels
18.0 vs 14.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Faster JPEG shooting
3.6 fps vs 2.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Nikon D3100 advantages over Canon T2i

Less expensive
$700 vs $900 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Bigger pixels
~ 5.01 vs 4.30 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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.
D3100 test data on DxO Mark T2i test data on DxO Mark

919 vs 784 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
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 440 shots
Capture more photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
100 vs 10 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

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
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
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
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 T2i Full Review

Read our Nikon D3100 Full Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSLR-A380

Canon T2i

Sony DSLR-A380

$692
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$849
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon T2i vs Sony DSLR-A380

Nikon D3100

Sony DSLR-A380

$700
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$849
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Tiltable Screen

Compare Nikon D3100 vs Sony DSLR-A380

Compared to Pentax K-7

Canon T2i

Pentax K-7

$692
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

$1300
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon T2i vs Pentax K-7

Nikon D3100

Pentax K-7

$700
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

$1300
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-7

Compared to Sony A55

Canon T2i

Sony A55

$692
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$734
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon T2i vs Sony A55

Nikon D3100

Sony A55

$700
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$734
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon D3100 vs Sony A55

Compared to Sony A33

Canon T2i

Sony A33

$692
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$540
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Canon T2i vs Sony A33

Nikon D3100

Sony A33

$700
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$540
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon D3100 vs Sony A33

Compared to Nikon D5100

Canon T2i

Nikon D5100

$692
APS-C

Shoots 60p video

$650
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

Compare Canon T2i vs Nikon D5100

Nikon D3100

Nikon D5100

$700
APS-C

$650
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D5100

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