• APS-C 328.6mm2
  • 12.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • APS-C 372.9mm2
  • 10.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 1600

Buy From

Differences

Canon XSi advantages over Nikon D3000

  • Fast startup
    ~0.40 vs 0.7 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    692 vs 563 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Lighter weight
    539g vs 800g
    Lighter weight
  • Less shutter lag
    0.16 vs 0.26 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    12.2 vs 10.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    3.5 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    53 vs 16 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Nikon D3000 advantages over Canon XSi

  • 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 5.20 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Higher extended ISO
    3200 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

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
  • HDMI out
    Neither provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon XSi

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D3000

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D60

Canon XSi
Nikon D60
  • $649
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Less shutter lag
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon XSi vs Nikon D60

Nikon D3000
Nikon D60
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • More AF points
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Lighter weight

Compare Nikon D3000 vs Nikon D60

Compared to Pentax K2000

Canon XSi
Pentax K2000
  • $649
  • APS-C
  • More pixels
  • More AF points
  • $556
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon XSi 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 Canon T1i

Canon XSi
Canon T1i
  • $649
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • HDMI out

Compare Canon XSi vs Canon T1i

Nikon D3000
Canon T1i
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon D3000 vs Canon T1i

Compared to Sony DSLR-A230

Canon XSi
Sony DSLR-A230
  • $649
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon XSi 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 XSi
Sony DSLR-A330
  • $649
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $530
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon XSi 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

Compare Other Cameras?