Nikon D3100 vs Canon EOS M3

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Nikon D3100 vs Canon EOS M3

Leave Feedback

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.

APS-C 332.3mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Canon EOS M3 Review.
How does it shoot? Canon EOS M3 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the EOS M3.
Compare Canon EOS M3 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon EOS M3 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Nikon D3200
Compare D3100 vs D3200

Succeeded by the Canon EOS M6
Compare EOS M3 vs EOS M6

Compare NIKON D3200 vs CANON EOS M6

Buy From

Differences

Nikon D3100 advantages over Canon EOS M3

Lens selection
Excellent vs Limited
Better lens selection gives you more options
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Bigger pixels
~ 5.01 vs 3.72 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.40 vs 2.4 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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 250 shots
Capture more photos

Canon EOS M3 advantages over Nikon D3100

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
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.
EOS M3 test data on DxO Mark D3100 test data on DxO Mark

1,169 vs 919 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Thinner
44 mm vs 74 mm
Thinner
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Newer
9 years vs 14 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
More dots on screen
1040k vs 230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Less shutter lag
0.13 vs 0.28 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
24.2 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
4.2 fps vs 2.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 100 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 12800 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

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
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
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
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
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
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D3100 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read EOS M3 User Reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D3100

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon EOS M3

Body Only (Black)

Body Only (Black)
Kit with 18-55mm and 55-200mm lens (Black)
Kit with 18-55mm lens (Black)
Kit with 18-55mm lens (White)

All EOS M3 Deals

Review Excerpt

Read our Nikon D3100 Full Review

DSLR image quality & resolution in a mirrorless body; Higher-res 24MP APS-C sensor; Much improved AF performance; Better ergonomics with full PASM dial; Built-in Wi-Fi & NFC; Tilting LCD.
No built-in EVF; Limited native lens selection; Slow burst mode; Shallow buffer depth with RAW files; No 60p video frame rate or 4K video option.
Read our Canon EOS M3 Review

The Competition

Compared to 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

Canon EOS M3

Sony DSLR-A380

$1049
APS-C

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

$849
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Sony DSLR-A380

Compared to 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

Canon EOS M3

Sony A33

$1049
APS-C

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

$540
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Sony A33

Compared to Pentax K-r

Nikon D3100

Pentax K-r

$700
APS-C

Less expensive
Higher effective ISO

$850
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Fast startup

Compare Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-r

Canon EOS M3

Pentax K-r

$1049
APS-C

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

$850
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Pentax K-r

Compared to Samsung NX3000

Nikon D3100

Samsung NX3000

$700
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

$950
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon D3100 vs Samsung NX3000

Canon EOS M3

Samsung NX3000

$1049
APS-C

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

$950
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Samsung NX3000

Compared to Fujifilm X-E3

Nikon D3100

Fujifilm X-E3

$700
APS-C

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

Compare Nikon D3100 vs Fujifilm X-E3

Canon EOS M3

Fujifilm X-E3

$1049
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
NFC

$699
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Fujifilm X-E3

Compare Other Cameras?