• APS-C 355.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.5 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 12,800

Buy From

Differences

Nikon D3100 advantages over Samsung NX Mini

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.01 vs 2.41 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.40 vs 2.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 11 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Samsung NX Mini advantages over Nikon D3100

  • Less expensive
    $549 vs $700 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 74 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    269g vs 777g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    461k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    20.5 vs 14.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 27 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    6.0 fps vs 2.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D3100

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Samsung NX Mini
Samsung NX Mini
All NX Mini Deals

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

Compare Nikon D3100 vs Sony DSLR-A380

Samsung NX Mini
Sony DSLR-A380
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Samsung NX Mini 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

Samsung NX Mini
Sony A33
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Samsung NX Mini 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

Samsung NX Mini
Pentax K-r
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Samsung NX Mini vs Pentax K-r

Compared to Nikon J4

Nikon D3100
Nikon J4
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon D3100 vs Nikon J4

Samsung NX Mini
Nikon J4
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Higher-res screen

Compare Samsung NX Mini vs Nikon J4

Compared to Nikon J5

Nikon D3100
Nikon J5
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D3100 vs Nikon J5

Samsung NX Mini
Nikon J5
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Thinner
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compare Samsung NX Mini vs Nikon J5

Compare Other Cameras?