Nikon D3100 vs Canon SL1

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Nikon D3100 vs Canon SL1

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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
18.0 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Canon SL1 Review.
How does it shoot? Canon SL1 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the SL1.
Compare Canon SL1 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon SL1 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Nikon D3200
Compare D3100 vs D3200

Succeeded by the Canon SL2
Compare SL1 vs SL2

Compare NIKON D3200 vs CANON SL2

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Differences

Nikon D3100 advantages over Canon SL1

Bigger pixels
~ 5.01 vs 4.30 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.40 vs 0.6 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 380 shots
Capture more photos

Canon SL1 advantages over Nikon D3100

Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
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
3.9 fps vs 2.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
1140 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

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
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
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

User reviews

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Adorama
Read D3100 User Reviews

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Adorama
Read SL1 User Reviews

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Review Excerpt

Read our Nikon D3100 Full Review

Extremely compact and lightweight for a DSLR; Delivers good image quality that's virtually identical to the Canon T4i/T5i; Accurate and relatively fast autofocus with improved Live View and Movie Hybrid CMOS II AF; Full 1080p HD movie recording; Better-than average kit lens (EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM).
Still not as compact as most mirrorless cameras; Slightly worse than average dynamic range and high ISO performance; Poor battery life.
Read our Canon SL1 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 SL1

Sony DSLR-A380

$549
APS-C

Lens selection
Touchscreen

$849
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon SL1 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 SL1

Sony A33

$549
APS-C

Lens selection
Touchscreen

$540
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon SL1 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 SL1

Pentax K-r

$549
APS-C

Touchscreen
Higher effective ISO

$850
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon SL1 vs Pentax K-r

Compared to Sony A58

Nikon D3100

Sony A58

$700
APS-C

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

$598
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D3100 vs Sony A58

Canon SL1

Sony A58

$549
APS-C

Lens selection
Touchscreen

$598
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon SL1 vs Sony A58

Compared to Pentax K-S1

Nikon D3100

Pentax K-S1

$700
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Bigger JPEG buffer

$502
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-S1

Canon SL1

Pentax K-S1

$549
APS-C

Touchscreen
On-sensor phase detect

$502
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon SL1 vs Pentax K-S1

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