Nikon D3100 vs Samsung NX1100

Cameras
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Nikon D3100 vs Samsung NX1100

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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.

APS-C 369.0mm²
20.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Samsung NX1100 Review.

Succeeded by the Nikon D3200
Compare D3100 vs D3200
Compare Nikon D3200 vs Samsung NX1100

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Differences

Nikon D3100 advantages over Samsung NX1100

Lens selection
Excellent vs Limited
Better lens selection gives you more options
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 4.29 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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 320 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Wider angle kit lens
27 mm vs 30 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens
Bigger JPEG buffer
100 vs 11 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Samsung NX1100 advantages over Nikon D3100

Less expensive
$600 vs $700 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
NX1100 test data on DxO Mark D3100 test data on DxO Mark

12.5 vs 11.2 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
Thinner
37 mm vs 74 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
400g vs 777g
Lighter weight
More dots on screen
922k vs 230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
More pixels
20.3 vs 14.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Faster JPEG shooting
8.0 fps vs 2.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

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
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 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

Amazon
Adorama
Read D3100 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read NX1100 User Reviews

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Kit with 20-50mm Lens

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Review Excerpt

Read our Nikon D3100 Full Review

We haven’t reviewed the Samsung NX1100.
Read our Samsung NX1100 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

Samsung NX1100

Sony DSLR-A380

$450
APS-C

Less expensive
Built-in Wi-Fi

$849
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Samsung NX1100 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 NX1100

Sony A33

$450
APS-C

Less expensive
Built-in Wi-Fi

$540
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Samsung NX1100 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 NX1100

Pentax K-r

$450
APS-C

Less expensive
Built-in Wi-Fi

$850
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Samsung NX1100 vs Pentax K-r

Compared to Samsung NX1000

Nikon D3100

Samsung NX1000

$700
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

$413
APS-C

Built-in Wi-Fi
Thinner

Compare Nikon D3100 vs Samsung NX1000

Samsung NX1100

Samsung NX1000

$450
APS-C

$413
APS-C

Compare Samsung NX1100 vs Samsung NX1000

Compared to Sony NEX-3N

Nikon D3100

Sony NEX-3N

$700
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

$449
APS-C

Focus peaking
Less expensive

Compare Nikon D3100 vs Sony NEX-3N

Samsung NX1100

Sony NEX-3N

$450
APS-C

Built-in Wi-Fi
Higher-res screen

$449
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

Compare Samsung NX1100 vs Sony NEX-3N

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