Nikon D3100
Competitors

As well as being compared against other entry-level DSLRs, the Nikon D3100 is also often compared to mirrorless, pro DSLRs and super zooms. The Nikon D3100's top rivals come from Canon (such as the Rebel T3 and the Rebel T2i) and Nikon (such as the D5100 and the D3200)

Generally, some of the advantages of the Nikon D3100 compared to other entry-level DSLR competitors include: it has slightly less startup delay (400 ms vs 1500 ms), can focus continuously while recording movies, focuses automatically while shootting video (contrast detection vs none), is slightly smaller (prosumer size 124x96x73 mm vs prosumer size 127x96x78 mm) and has a self cleaning sensor.

However, on average it has slightly narrower dynamic range (11.3 EV vs 12.5 EV), has a significantly lower resolution screen (230k dots vs 920k dots), takes slightly lower resolution photos (14.2 MP vs 17.9 MP), doesn't have a screen which flips out and lacks and external mic jack.

Canon Rebel T3 5 months newer $333 (body only) $489 - $500 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the T3 (vs the D3100) Longer battery life: 800 shots vs 550 shots Has a built-in focus motor Significant disadvantages of the T3 (vs the D3100) Much smaller screen: 2.7" vs 3.0" Lower resolution movies: 720p @ 30fps vs 1080p @ 24fps Worse color depth: 21.9 bits vs 22.5 bits common strengths of the T3 and D3100 Many lenses available: 162 lenses vs 169 lenses Light weight: 459 g vs 505 g Inexpensive: $333.00 vs $499.99
	Compare the Canon Rebel T3 vs the Nikon D3100
Nikon D5100 7 months newer $500 - $597 (body only) $600 - $697 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the D5100 (vs the D3100) Significantly better image quality: 80.0 vs 67.0 Significantly lower noise at high ISO: 1,183 ISO vs 919 ISO More dynamic range: 13 EV vs 11.3 EV Significant disadvantages of the D5100 (vs the D3100) None found common strengths of the D5100 and D3100 Full HD (1080p) video: 1080p @ 30fps vs 1080p @ 24fps Larger than average screens: 3.0" vs 3.0" 24p support
	Compare the D5100 vs the D3100
Canon Rebel T2i 6 months older $544 - $949 (body only) $649 - $867 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the T2i (vs the D3100) Much higher resolution screen: 1,040k dots vs 230k dots Has an external mic jack Significantly higher true resolution: 17.9 MP vs 14.2 MP Significant disadvantages of the T2i (vs the D3100) Lacks video autofocus: None vs Contrast detection common strengths of the T2i and D3100 Full HD (1080p) video: 1080p @ 30fps vs 1080p @ 24fps Larger than average screens: 3.0" vs 3.0" 24p support
	Compare the Canon EOS Rebel T2i vs the Nikon D3100
Nikon D3200 1 year newer $699 - $700 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the D3200 (vs the D3100) Much higher resolution screen: 921k dots vs 230k dots Much higher true resolution: 24.1 MP vs 14.2 MP Has an external mic jack Significant disadvantages of the D3200 (vs the D3100) None found common strengths of the D3200 and D3100 Full HD (1080p) video: 1080p @ 30fps vs 1080p @ 24fps Larger than average screens: 3.0" vs 3.0" 24p support
	Compare the D3200 vs the D3100
Canon Rebel T3i 5 months newer $619 - $700 (body only) $745 - $1,000 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the T3i (vs the D3100) Much higher resolution screen: 1,040k dots vs 230k dots Has an external mic jack Has a flip-out screen Significant disadvantages of the T3i (vs the D3100) Much more startup delay: 1500 ms vs 400 ms Lacks video autofocus: None vs Contrast detection Significantly larger: Professional size 133x99x79 mm vs Prosumer size 124x96x73 mm common strengths of the T3i and D3100 Full HD (1080p) video: 1080p @ 30fps vs 1080p @ 24fps Larger than average screens: 3.0" vs 3.0" 24p support
	Compare the Canon Rebel T3i vs the Nikon D3100
Nikon D90 2 years older $830 - $897 (body only) $1,047 55-200mm lens	Significant advantages of the D90 (vs the D3100) More dynamic range: 12.5 EV vs 11.3 EV Much higher resolution screen: 930k dots vs 230k dots Significantly larger viewfinder: 0.63x vs 0.51x Significant disadvantages of the D90 (vs the D3100) Lower resolution movies: 720p @ 24fps vs 1080p @ 24fps Lacks video autofocus: None vs Contrast detection Significantly larger: Professional size 132x103x77 mm vs Prosumer size 124x96x73 mm common strengths of the D90 and D3100 Larger than average screens: 3.0" vs 3.0" 24p support Minimal startup delay: 300 ms vs 400 ms
	Compare the D90 vs the D3100

Generally, some of the advantages of the Nikon D3100 compared to mirrorless interchangeable-lens competitors include: it is slightly less noisy at high ISO (919 ISO vs 372 ISO), has higher quality type of viewfinder (pentamirror vs none), has slightly more color depth (22.5 bits vs 21.5 bits), records movies in 24p and has much less startup delay (400 ms vs 1400 ms).

However, on average it has a much lower resolution screen (230k dots vs 920k dots), doesn't record high-speed movies (none vs 1,200 fps), has slightly narrower dynamic range (11.3 EV vs 12.2 EV), significantly lower maximum light sensitivity (3,200 ISO vs 12,800 ISO) and doesn't have a touch screen.

Nikon 1 J1 1 year newer $547 10-30mm lens	Significant advantages of the J1 (vs the D3100) Records high-speed movies: 1,200 fps vs None Has a built-in focus motor Shoots much faster: 60 fps vs 3 fps Significant disadvantages of the J1 (vs the D3100) Much fewer lenses available: 4 lenses vs 169 lenses Significantly more noise at high ISO: 372 ISO vs 919 ISO No viewfinder: None vs Pentamirror common strengths of the J1 and D3100 Full HD (1080p) video: 1080p @ 30fps vs 1080p @ 24fps Both use faster phase detection autofocus which is uncommon: Phase detection vs Phase detection Focus continuously recording movies
	Compare the 1 J1 vs the D3100
Sony Alpha NEX-5 3 months older $569 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the NEX-5 (vs the D3100) Much higher resolution screen: 920k dots vs 230k dots Has a built-in focus motor Much smaller: Compact 111x59x38 mm vs Prosumer size 124x96x73 mm Significant disadvantages of the NEX-5 (vs the D3100) Much fewer lenses available: 8 lenses vs 169 lenses Many fewer cross-type focus points: 0 vs 1 No viewfinder: None vs Pentamirror common strengths of the NEX-5 and D3100 Good image quality: 69.0 vs 67.0 Full HD (1080p) video: 1080p @ 30fps vs 1080p @ 24fps Good color depth: 22.2 bits vs 22.5 bits
	Compare the Sony Alpha NEX-5 vs the Nikon D3100
Sony NEX-5N 1 year newer $598 - $600 (body only) $698 - $700 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the NEX-5N (vs the D3100) Much higher resolution screen: 920k dots vs 230k dots Has a built-in focus motor Better maximum light sensitivity: 25,600 ISO vs 3,200 ISO Significant disadvantages of the NEX-5N (vs the D3100) Much fewer lenses available: 8 lenses vs 169 lenses Much more startup delay: 1900 ms vs 400 ms No viewfinder: None vs Pentamirror common strengths of the NEX-5N and D3100 Relatively low noise at high ISO: 1,079 ISO vs 919 ISO Good image quality: 77.0 vs 67.0 Full HD (1080p) video: 1080p @ 60fps vs 1080p @ 24fps
	Compare the Sony NEX-5N vs the Nikon D3100
Nikon 1 V1 1 year newer $797 - $947 10-30mm lens	Significant advantages of the V1 (vs the D3100) Records high-speed movies: 1,200 fps vs None Much higher resolution screen: 921k dots vs 230k dots Has a built-in focus motor Significant disadvantages of the V1 (vs the D3100) Much fewer lenses available: 4 lenses vs 169 lenses Significantly more noise at high ISO: 346 ISO vs 919 ISO Much more startup delay: 1300 ms vs 400 ms common strengths of the V1 and D3100 Full HD (1080p) video: 1080p @ 30fps vs 1080p @ 24fps Viewfinders: Digital vs Pentamirror Both use faster phase detection autofocus which is uncommon: Phase detection vs Phase detection
	Compare the 1 V1 vs the D3100

Generally, some of the advantages of the Nikon D3100 compared to pro DSLR competitors include: it has slightly better image quality (67.0 vs 50.0), records higher quality movies (1080p @ 24fps vs none), has significantly more color depth (22.5 bits vs 20.4 bits), has a much larger screen (3.0" vs 2.5") and takes slightly higher resolution photos (14.2 MP vs 10 MP).

However, on average it has a slightly lower resolution screen (230k dots vs 922k dots), slightly smaller viewfinder (0.51x vs 0.59x), it's body is not weather sealed, doesn't shoot as fast continuously (3 fps vs 5 fps) and lacks and external mic jack.

Canon EOS 60D similar age $848 - $1,304 (body only) $1,177 - $1,342 18-135mm lens	Significant advantages of the 60D (vs the D3100) Much higher resolution screen: 1,040k dots vs 230k dots Has an external mic jack Has a flip-out screen Significant disadvantages of the 60D (vs the D3100) Lacks video autofocus: None vs Contrast detection common strengths of the 60D and D3100 Many lenses available: 162 lenses vs 169 lenses Fairly small: Professional size 145x106x79 mm vs Prosumer size 124x96x73 mm Supports RAW
	Compare the Canon EOS 60D vs the Nikon D3100
Nikon D300 3 years older $2,000 (body only)	Significant advantages of the D300 (vs the D3100) Much higher resolution screen: 922k dots vs 230k dots More dynamic range: 12 EV vs 11.3 EV Weather sealed Significant disadvantages of the D300 (vs the D3100) Does not take movies: None vs 1080p @ 24fps Lacks video autofocus: None vs Contrast detection Significantly heavier: 925 g vs 505 g common strengths of the D300 and D3100 Many lenses available: 169 lenses vs 169 lenses Fairly small: Professional size 147x114x74 mm vs Prosumer size 124x96x73 mm Supports RAW
	Compare the D300 vs the D3100
Nikon D200 4 years older $1,300 (body only)	Significant advantages of the D200 (vs the D3100) Weather sealed Larger viewfinder: 0.62x vs 0.51x Has a built-in focus motor Significant disadvantages of the D200 (vs the D3100) Much smaller screen: 2.5" vs 3.0" No live view Does not take movies: None vs 1080p @ 24fps common strengths of the D200 and D3100 Many lenses available: 169 lenses vs 169 lenses Fairly small: Professional size 147x113x74 mm vs Prosumer size 124x96x73 mm Supports RAW
	Compare the D200 vs the D3100
Nikon D70 6 years older	Significant advantages of the D70 (vs the D3100) Has a built-in focus motor Much faster max shutter speed: 1/8000 of a second vs 1/4000 of a second Significant disadvantages of the D70 (vs the D3100) Much smaller screen: 1.8" vs 3.0" Worse color depth: 20.4 bits vs 22.5 bits Significantly worse image quality: 50.0 vs 67.0 common strengths of the D70 and D3100 Many lenses available: 169 lenses vs 169 lenses Fairly small: Professional size 140x111x78 mm vs Prosumer size 124x96x73 mm Supports RAW
	Compare the D70 vs the D3100

Generally, some of the advantages of the Nikon D3100 compared to super zoom competitors include: it has much better image quality (67.0 vs 40.0), is slightly smaller (prosumer size 124x96x73 mm vs professional size 123x92x108 mm), takes much higher resolution photos (14.2 MP vs 9.7 MP), records movies in 24p and has much more color depth (22.5 bits vs 19.4 bits).

However, on average it has a significantly lower resolution screen (230k dots vs 920k dots), doesn't record high-speed movies (none vs 220 fps), doesn't have image stabilization (none vs lens), significantly lower maximum light sensitivity (3,200 ISO vs 12,800 ISO) and doesn't shoot as fast continuously (3 fps vs 10 fps).

Nikon Coolpix P510 1 year newer $397 - $400	Significant advantages of the P510 (vs the D3100) Much higher resolution screen: 921k dots vs 230k dots Image stabilization: Lens vs None Has a flip-out screen Significant disadvantages of the P510 (vs the D3100) Much smaller sensor: 1/2.3" 6.2x4.6mm vs APS-C 23.1x15.4mm Much lower true resolution: 9.7 MP vs 14.2 MP Slower autofocus: Contrast detection vs Phase detection common strengths of the P510 and D3100 Full HD (1080p) video: 1080p @ 30fps vs 1080p @ 24fps Better sensor types: CMOS vs CMOS Viewfinders: Digital vs Pentamirror
	Compare the Coolpix P510 vs the D3100
Canon Powershot SX40 1 year newer $347 - $380	Significant advantages of the SX40 (vs the D3100) Image stabilization: Lens vs None Has a flip-out screen Records high-speed movies: 240 fps vs None Significant disadvantages of the SX40 (vs the D3100) Much smaller sensor: 1/2.3" 6.2x4.6mm vs APS-C 23.1x15.4mm Much lower true resolution: 9.7 MP vs 14.2 MP Slower autofocus: Contrast detection vs Phase detection common strengths of the SX40 and D3100 Both shoot high resolution HD movies: 1080p @ 24fps vs 1080p @ 24fps Both support 24p, which is uncommon in cameras similar to these Better sensor types: CMOS vs CMOS
	Compare the Canon Powershot SX40 vs the Nikon D3100
Fujifilm FinePix HS20 4 months newer $299 - $302	Significant advantages of the HS20 (vs the D3100) Has a flip-out screen Better maximum light sensitivity: 12,800 ISO vs 3,200 ISO Image stabilization: Sensor shift vs None Significant disadvantages of the HS20 (vs the D3100) Much smaller sensor: 1/2" 6.4x4.8mm vs APS-C 23.1x15.4mm Much lower true resolution: 10.6 MP vs 14.2 MP Slower autofocus: Contrast detection vs Phase detection common strengths of the HS20 and D3100 Full HD (1080p) video: 1080p @ 30fps vs 1080p @ 24fps Capture very high resolution images: 10.6 MP vs 14.2 MP Better sensor types: CMOS vs CMOS
	Compare the Fujifilm FinePix HS20 EXR vs the Nikon D3100
Nikon Coolpix P500 5 months newer $300	Significant advantages of the P500 (vs the D3100) Much higher resolution screen: 920k dots vs 230k dots Has a flip-out screen Image stabilization: Sensor shift vs None Significant disadvantages of the P500 (vs the D3100) Much smaller sensor: 1/2.3" 6.2x4.6mm vs APS-C 23.1x15.4mm Much lower true resolution: 9.7 MP vs 14.2 MP Slower autofocus: Contrast detection vs Phase detection common strengths of the P500 and D3100 Full HD (1080p) video: 1080p @ 30fps vs 1080p @ 24fps Better sensor types: CMOS vs CMOS Viewfinders: Digital vs Pentamirror
	Compare the Coolpix P500 vs the D3100
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ150 1 year newer $499	Significant advantages of the DMC-FZ150 (vs the D3100) Has an external mic jack Image stabilization: Lens vs None Has a flip-out screen Significant disadvantages of the DMC-FZ150 (vs the D3100) Much smaller sensor: 1/2.3" 6.2x4.6mm vs APS-C 23.1x15.4mm Much lower true resolution: 9.7 MP vs 14.2 MP Slower autofocus: Contrast detection vs Phase detection common strengths of the DMC-FZ150 and D3100 Full HD (1080p) video: 1080p @ 60fps vs 1080p @ 24fps Great battery life: 410 shots vs 550 shots Better sensor types: CMOS vs CMOS
	Compare the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ150 vs the Nikon D3100
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX200V 1 year newer $399	Significant advantages of the DSC-HX200V (vs the D3100) Much higher resolution screen: 921k dots vs 230k dots Image stabilization: Lens vs None Has a flip-out screen Significant disadvantages of the DSC-HX200V (vs the D3100) Much smaller sensor: 1/2.3" 6.2x4.6mm vs APS-C 23.1x15.4mm Much lower true resolution: 9.7 MP vs 14.2 MP Slower autofocus: Contrast detection vs Phase detection common strengths of the DSC-HX200V and D3100 Full HD (1080p) video: 1080p @ 60fps vs 1080p @ 24fps Great battery life: 450 shots vs 550 shots Better sensor types: CMOS vs CMOS
	Compare the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX200V vs the Nikon D3100