• APS-C 355.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 1200.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Nikon D3100
  • Canon PowerShot SX540 HS
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website
Nikon D3100 webpage
Manufacturer website
Predecessor:   Canon SX530 HS
SX530 HS vs SX540 HS
Successor: Nikon D3200
D3100 vs D3200
 
General
Model Number: D3100 SX540 HS
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: SLR Mid-Sized
Currently Manufactured: No Yes
Retail Price: $699.95 $399.99
Street Price:   $364.00
Date Available: 2010-09-15 2016-03-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 27.4 oz (777 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
15.6 oz (442 g)
includes batteries
Size: 4.9 x 3.8 x 2.9 in.
(125 x 97 x 74 mm)
4.7 x 3.2 x 3.6 in.
(120 x 82 x 92 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:    
Effective Megapixels: 14.2 20.3
Sensor Format: APS-C 1/2.3 inch
Sensor size: 355.74mm2 (23.10mm x 15.40mm) 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.01 microns 1.19 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x n/a
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 4:3
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed None
Self-Cleaning: Yes No
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 67  
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 22.5  
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 11.3  
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 919  
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4608 x 3072 (14.2 MP, 3:2),
3456 x 2304 (8.0 MP, 3:2),
2304 x 1536 (3.5 MP, 3:2)
5184 x 3888 (20.2 MP, 4:3),
5184 x 3456 (17.9 MP, 3:2),
5184 x 2912 (15.1 MP, 16:9),
3888 x 3888 (15.1 MP, 1:1),
3648 x 2736 (10.0 MP, 4:3),
3648 x 2432 (8.9 MP, 3:2),
3648 x 2048 (7.5 MP, 16:9),
2736 x 2736 (7.5 MP, 1:1),
2048 x 1536 (3.1 MP, 4:3),
2048 x 1368 (2.8 MP, 3:2),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
1536 x 1536 (2.4 MP, 1:1),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3),
640 x 424 (0.3 MP, Other),
640 x 360 (0.2 MP, 16:9),
480 x 480 (0.2 MP, 1:1)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.21), RAW (12-bit .NEF), RAW+JPEG JPEG (EXIF 2.3)
Continuous-mode frames/second: 2.9 5.9
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (24)
1280x720 (30/​25/​24)
640x424 (24)
1920x1080 (60p/​30p)
1280x720 (30p)
640x480 (30p)
Movie File Format: MOV H.264/MPEG-4 MP4 (Image: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264; Audio: MPEG-4 AAC-LC (Stereo))
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: No
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Nikon F n/a
Lens: Nikkor AF-S DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR Canon Zoom Lens
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 27 - 83mm 24 - 1,200mm
Focal Length (actual): 18 - 55mm 4.3 - 215mm
Zoom Ratio: 3.00x 50.00x
Aperture Range: f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - 38 (T) f/3.4 (W) / f/6.5 (T) - ??
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 28 cm to Infinity
11.0 in to Infinity
5 cm to Infinity
2.0 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:   0 - 50 cm
0.0 - 19.7 in
Filter Thread: 52.0mm n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom: No Yes
Digital Zoom Values: n/a Up to 4x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Nikon Multi-CAM 1000 11-Area Phase Detection, 1 cross-type, 9 line-type Contrast Detection; Face Detect AiAF, Single AF point (center or face select and track)
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD No / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.80x mag., 18mm eyepoint, -1.7 to +0.5 diopter  
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.53x  
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.80x  
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 230,000 dots 461,000 dots (153,600 px)
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 27.0x 10.0x
Top Deck Display: No No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 3200 3200
Minimum ISO (native): 100 80
ISO Settings: 100 - 3,200; expandable to 12800 Auto, ISO 80 - 3200
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Incandescent, Fluorescent (7 types), Direct Sunlight, Flash, Cloudy, Shade, Preset Manual;all except Preset Manual with fine tuning Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Custom
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 30 sec 1/2000 - 15 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes No
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 420 segment 3D color matrix metering II, color matrix metering II, center-weighted, spot (3.5mm) Evaluative, Center-weighted average, Spot; Facial brightness is evaluated in Face Detection AF
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Child, Sports, Close up, Night portrait Live View Control, Creative Shot (Auto, Retro, Monochrome, Special and Natural effects), Portrait, Smart Shutter (Smile, Wink Self-timer, Face Self-timer), Handheld Night Scene, Low Light, Fish-eye Effect, Miniature Effect, Toy Camera Effect, Soft Focus, Monochrome Super Vivid, Poster Effect, Fireworks
Self Timer: 10 or 2 seconds 2, 10, Custom seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Red-Eye Reduction, Red-Eye Reduction with Slow Sync, Slow Sync, Rear-Curtain Sync. Auto, Manual Flash On / Off, Slow Synchro; Red-Eye Reduction available
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. n/a
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent Auto ISO: 1.6 ft. - 18 ft. (W), 4.3 - 9.8 ft. (T) (50cm - 5.5m (W), (1.3 - 3.0m (T))
Max Flash Sync: 1/200  
Flash Exposure Compensation: -3 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: ISO hot shoe n/a
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:   No
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC / SDXC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   UHS-I
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes No
Uncompressed Format: RAW (12-bit .NEF), RAW+JPEG  
Movie File Format: MOV H.264/MPEG-4 MP4 (Image: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264; Audio: MPEG-4 AAC-LC (Stereo))
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No Yes
NFC: No Yes
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional, MC-DC2 corded Via Wi-Fi
Connections (extended): Type C mini-HDMI with CEC, Accessory Terminal (MC-DC2 remote cord or GP-1 GPS unit) Mini HDMI (Type-C), Mini-B USB
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.55  
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.54  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): Unlimited  
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 2.9 5.9
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 100  
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):    
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):    
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.28 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.200 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.30 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.117 seconds  
Shutter Lag (notes): Live View: Full AF lag (AF-S or AF-F) = 1.5s Prefocused lag = 0.479s  
Startup Time: 0.4 seconds  
Play -> Record Time: 0.3 seconds  
Flash cycle time, full power: 3.5 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   205 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 550 shots  
Battery Life, Video:   45 minutes
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary EN-EL14 Proprietary NB-6LH
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary EN-EL14 Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NB-6LH Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software: Nikon Software Suite CD-ROM  
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS  
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: 1080p HD movies, Quiet Shutter mode, new full-time AF in Movie mode.