• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 10.3 megapixels
  • 26.00mm - 678.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 355.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200

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Differences

Nikon P100 advantages over Nikon D3100

  • Less expensive
    $400 vs $700 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Less shutter lag
    0.17 vs 0.28 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 2.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Nikon D3100 advantages over Nikon P100

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.01 vs 1.69 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Fast startup
    ~0.40 vs 2.3 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 550 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    74 mm vs 98 mm
    Thinner
  • 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
    14.2 vs 10.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 8 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 6 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • 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
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Nikon P90

Nikon P100
Nikon P90
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Manual focus
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More pixels
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Nikon P100 vs Nikon P90

Nikon D3100
Nikon P90
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D3100 vs Nikon P90

Compared to Sony DSLR-A380

Nikon P100
Sony DSLR-A380
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Lighter weight
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon P100 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 X90

Nikon P100
Pentax X90
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Manual focus
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More pixels
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Nikon P100 vs Pentax X90

Nikon D3100
Pentax X90
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D3100 vs Pentax X90

Compared to Sony A33

Nikon P100
Sony A33
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon P100 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 Panasonic FZ47

Nikon P100
Panasonic FZ47
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Less shutter lag
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More pixels

Compare Nikon P100 vs Panasonic FZ47

Nikon D3100
Panasonic FZ47
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D3100 vs Panasonic FZ47

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