• APS-C 355.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Medium format 1,350.0mm2
  • 64.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 50,000

Buy From

Differences

Nikon D3100 advantages over Leica S3

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/200 vs 1/125 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • More AF points
    11 vs 1
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Leica S3 advantages over Nikon D3100

  • Less expensive
    $19 vs $700 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    Medium format vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (DCI) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • Newer
    5 years vs 14 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More viewfinder magnification
    1.09x vs 0.53x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    64.0 vs 14.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Longer exposure
    125 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 100 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    50000 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Your purchases support this site

Review Excerpt

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
Leica S3
Sony DSLR-A380
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

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
Leica S3
Sony A33
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

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
Leica S3
Pentax K-r
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Canon 5DS R

Nikon D3100
Canon 5DS R
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Internal flash
  • $1499
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Higher effective ISO
Leica S3
Canon 5DS R
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $1499
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • More cross-type AF points

Compared to Pentax K-1

Nikon D3100
Pentax K-1
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Leica S3
Pentax K-1
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Compare Other Cameras?