• APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 18.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 6400

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Differences

Canon T2i advantages over Nikon J3

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.30 vs 2.86 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Higher effective ISO
    784 vs 420 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/200 vs 1/60 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    18.0 vs 14.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon J3 advantages over Canon T2i

  • Less expensive
    $600 vs $900 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    28 mm vs 76 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    359g vs 736g
    Lighter weight
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    60.0 fps vs 3.6 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

  • We haven’t finished our review of the Nikon J3, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
  • See our Nikon J3 First Shots

The Competition

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 J3
Pentax K-7
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nikon J3 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 J3
Sony A55
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $734
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nikon J3 vs Sony A55

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 J3
Nikon D5100
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nikon J3 vs Nikon D5100

Compared to Nikon J1

Canon T2i
Nikon J1
  • $692
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $500
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compare Canon T2i vs Nikon J1

Nikon J3
Nikon J1
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dots on screen
  • $500
  • 1 inch
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon J3 vs Nikon J1

Compared to Nikon J2

Canon T2i
Nikon J2
  • $692
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $550
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compare Canon T2i vs Nikon J2

Nikon J3
Nikon J2
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More pixels
  • $550
  • 1 inch
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon J3 vs Nikon J2

Compare Other Cameras?