• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • APS-C 355.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200

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Differences

Olympus E-600 advantages over Nikon D3100

  • Less expensive
    $600 vs $700 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • More cross-type AF points
    5 vs 1
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.0 fps vs 2.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Nikon D3100 advantages over Olympus E-600

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.01 vs 4.29 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Higher effective ISO
    919 vs 541 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • 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
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.53x vs 0.48x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    14.2 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • More AF points
    11 vs 7
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 3200 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
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Neither provide
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • 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

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-420

Olympus E-600
Olympus E-420
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $400
  • 4/3

Compare Olympus E-600 vs Olympus E-420

Nikon D3100
Olympus E-420
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $400
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compare Nikon D3100 vs Olympus E-420

Compared to Olympus E-520

Olympus E-600
Olympus E-520
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Olympus E-600 vs Olympus E-520

Nikon D3100
Olympus E-520
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Less shutter lag

Compare Nikon D3100 vs Olympus E-520

Compared to Olympus E-620

Olympus E-600
Olympus E-620
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • $800
  • 4/3

Compare Olympus E-600 vs Olympus E-620

Nikon D3100
Olympus E-620
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Nikon D3100 vs Olympus E-620

Compared to Sony DSLR-A380

Olympus E-600
Sony DSLR-A380
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • More cross-type AF points
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-600 vs 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

Compared to Sony A33

Olympus E-600
Sony A33
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-600 vs 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

Compare Other Cameras?