Nikon D3100 vs Leica M-E (Typ 220)

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Nikon D3100 vs Leica M-E (Typ 220)

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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.

35mm 864.0mm²
18.0 megapixels
ISO 160 - 2500

Go in depth with our full Leica M-E (Typ 220) Review.

Succeeded by the Nikon D3200
Compare D3100 vs D3200
Compare Nikon D3200 vs Leica M-E (Typ 220)

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Differences

Nikon D3100 advantages over Leica M-E (Typ 220)

Lens selection
Excellent vs Limited
Better lens selection gives you more options
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.
D3100 test data on DxO Mark M-E (Typ 220) test data on DxO Mark

919 vs 787 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Faster JPEG shooting
2.9 fps vs 2.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
12800 vs 2500 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Leica M-E (Typ 220) advantages over Nikon D3100

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 6.91 vs 5.01 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Thinner
37 mm vs 74 mm
Thinner
More viewfinder magnification
0.68x vs 0.53x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
18.0 vs 14.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
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
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
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
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
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
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Read D3100 User Reviews

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Review Excerpt

Read our Nikon D3100 Full Review

We haven’t reviewed the Leica M-E (Typ 220).
Read our Leica M-E (Typ 220) Preview

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

Leica M-E (Typ 220)

Sony DSLR-A380

$7999
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$849
APS-C

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Leica M-E (Typ 220) 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

Leica M-E (Typ 220)

Sony A33

$7999
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$540
APS-C

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Leica M-E (Typ 220) 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

Leica M-E (Typ 220)

Pentax K-r

$7999
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$850
APS-C

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Leica M-E (Typ 220) vs Pentax K-r

Compared to Leica M Monochrom

Nikon D3100

Leica M Monochrom

$700
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$7950
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D3100 vs Leica M Monochrom

Leica M-E (Typ 220)

Leica M Monochrom

$7999
35mm

Focus peaking

$7950
35mm

Higher extended ISO

Compare Leica M-E (Typ 220) vs Leica M Monochrom

Compared to Leica M (Typ 240)

Nikon D3100

Leica M (Typ 240)

$700
APS-C

Lens selection
Internal flash

$6995
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Nikon D3100 vs Leica M (Typ 240)

Leica M-E (Typ 220)

Leica M (Typ 240)

$7999
35mm

$6995
35mm

Higher effective ISO
More dynamic range

Compare Leica M-E (Typ 220) vs Leica M (Typ 240)

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