Nikon D3100 vs Canon SX40 HS

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Nikon D3100 vs Canon SX40 HS

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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.

1/2.3 inch 28.1mm²
12.1 megapixels
24.00mm - 840.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Canon SX40 HS Review.
See real-world photos taken with the SX40 HS.

Succeeded by the Nikon D3200
Compare D3100 vs D3200

Succeeded by the Canon SX50
Compare SX40 HS vs SX50

Compare NIKON D3200 vs CANON SX50

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Differences

Nikon D3100 advantages over Canon SX40 HS

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 5.01 vs 1.54 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 2.6 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
Thinner
74 mm vs 107 mm
Thinner
Less shutter lag
0.28 vs 0.46 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
14.2 vs 12.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Longer exposure
30 vs 15 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 8 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
12800 vs 3200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon SX40 HS advantages over Nikon D3100

Less expensive
$430 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
Higher max flash sync
1/2000 vs 1/200 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Faster JPEG shooting
10.3 fps vs 2.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

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
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

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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Buy the Nikon D3100

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon SX40 HS

Review Excerpt

Read our Nikon D3100 Full Review

Wide, long all-purpose zoom lens performs well; Very good image quality; Articulating LCD; Good grip; Excellent controls.
Rear scroll wheel is too sensitive; Low-res LCD; No lens hood included; Slow startup time; Slow cycle time.
Read our Canon SX40 HS Express 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 SX40 HS

Sony DSLR-A380

$342
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Higher max flash sync

$849
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon SX40 HS 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 SX40 HS

Sony A33

$342
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Longer stills battery life

$540
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon SX40 HS 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 SX40 HS

Pentax K-r

$342
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

$850
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon SX40 HS vs Pentax K-r

Compared to Canon SX30 IS

Nikon D3100

Canon SX30 IS

$700
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$440
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D3100 vs Canon SX30 IS

Canon SX40 HS

Canon SX30 IS

$342
1/2.3 inch

Shoots 24p video
Shoots 1080p video

$440
1/2.3 inch

More pixels
Higher extended ISO

Compare Canon SX40 HS vs Canon SX30 IS

Compared to Sony HX100V

Nikon D3100

Sony HX100V

$700
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$312
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D3100 vs Sony HX100V

Canon SX40 HS

Sony HX100V

$342
1/2.3 inch

Bigger pixels
Shoots 24p video

$312
1/2.3 inch

Built-in GPS
Integrated ND filter

Compare Canon SX40 HS vs Sony HX100V

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