Canon Rebel
T3i
 vs
Nikon
D3100

Updated (March, 2012): Compare the Canon Rebel T3i vs Nikon D3200

Canon Rebel T3i

59

  
Nikon D3100

55

  

Reasons to buy the Canon Rebel T3i

Movie format
 Full HD
1080p @ 30fps
Screen resolution
 High resolution screen
1,040k dots
Screen flips out
 Flip-out screen
Great for movies
External mic jack
 External mic jack
Record higher quality audio with a microphone
Badge
 Built-in focus motor
Autofocuses with more lenses
 
Runner-up

Nikon D3100

Reasons to buy the Nikon D3100

Movie format
 Full HD
1080p @ 24fps
Sensor size
 Large sensor
APS-C 23.1x15.4mm
Movie continuous focus
 Movie continuous focus
Makes it easy to get in-focus movies
Size
 Really small
Prosumer size 124x96x73 mm
Thickness
 Thin
2.9"
Weight
 Light-weight
505 g
 

differences

Advantages of the Canon T3i
Screen resolution Much higher resolution screen 1,040k dots vs 230k dots
Help
 More than 4.5x higher resolution screen
External mic jack Has an external mic jack Yes vs No
Help
 Record high quality audio with an external microphone
Screen flips out Has a flip-out screen Yes vs No
Help
 Flip-out screens can be helpful when composing tricky shots or taking movies
True resolution Higher true resolution 17.9 MP vs 14.2 MP
Help
 Capture around 30% more detail in your photos
Dynamic range More dynamic range 11.5 EV vs 11.3 EV
Help
 0.2 f-stops more dynamic range
Lens focus motor Has a built-in focus motor Yes vs No
Help
 Autofocuses with all autofocus lenses
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 6,400 ISO vs 3,200 ISO
Help
 The T3i's maximum light sensitivity is 1 f-stop better
Continuous shooting Shoots faster 3.7 fps vs 3 fps
Help
 More than 20% faster continuous shooting
Viewfinder size Slightly larger viewfinder 0.53x vs 0.51x
Help
 Around 10% larger viewfinder
Canon Rebel T3i Learn more about
the Canon T3i

Advantages of the Nikon D3100
Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO 919 ISO vs 793 ISO
Help
 The D3100 has a slight edge (0.2 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
Startup delay Significantly less startup delay 400 ms vs 1500 ms
Help
 3.7x less delay when turning on
Autofocus Video autofocus Contrast detection vs None
Help
 Automatically focuses shooting video
Sensor size Significantly larger sensor APS-C 23.1x15.4mm vs APS-C 22.3x14.9mm
Help
 Around 10% larger sensor
Size Significantly smaller 124x96x73 mm vs 133x99x79 mm
Help
 Around 20% smaller
Overall image quality Slightly better image quality 67.0 vs 65.0
Help
 Almost the same
Battery life Longer battery life 550 shots vs 440 shots
Help
 Around 30% more shots per battery charge
Color depth Better color depth 22.5 bits vs 22.1 bits
Help
 Distinguishes 0.4 more bits of color
Thickness Significantly thinner 2.9" vs 3.1"
Help
 Around 10% thinner
Lens availability Slightly more lenses available 169 lenses vs 162 lenses
Help
 Almost the same
Focus points Slightly more focus points 11 vs 9
Help
 Set focus accurately within the frame
Lowest price Cheaper $399.00 vs $549.00
Help
 The best price we've seen is $150 cheaper (around 30% less)
Weight Lighter 505 g vs 570 g
Help
 More than 10% lighter
Nikon D3100 Learn more about
the Nikon D3100
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent entry-level DSLRs, and ignoring price

Canon Rebel T3i Canon Rebel T3i
59 vs 55
Explain scores
Nikon D3100 Nikon D3100
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Canon Rebel T3i.

similarities

Compared to recent entry-level DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Lens availability Many lenses available Help
T3i:162 lenses
D3100:169 lenses
Supports 24p 24p support Help
For that film look
Fastest shutter speed Slow max shutter speed Help
1/4000 of a second
Light sensitivity (boost) Poor boost ISO Help
12,800 ISO
Viewfinder coverage Below average viewfinder coverage Help
95%
HDR Neither has in-camera HDR Help
You could do HDR manually
Cross type focus points Few cross-type focus points Help
1
Light sensitivity Poor maximum light sensitivity Help
T3i:6,400 ISO
D3100:3,200 ISO
Continuous shooting Slow continuous shooting Help
T3i:3.7 fps
D3100:3 fps
Shutter lag Significant shutter lag Help
T3i:283 ms
D3100:279 ms
Panorama Neither camera stitches together panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
Autofocus Lacks video autofocus Help
T3i:None
D3100:Contrast detection
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur
3D Neither camera can take 3D photos Help
No 3d support
Viewfinder size Below average viewfinder size Help
T3i:0.53x
D3100:0.51x
Weather sealed Neither is weather sealed Help
Need to shelter it from weather
Dynamic range Poor dynamic range Help
T3i:11.5 EV
D3100:11.3 EV
Overall image quality Low image quality Help
T3i:65.0
D3100:67.0

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon D5100

Nikon D5100

Entry-level DSLR

$497 body only

$597 - $805 with 18-55mm lens
Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has significantly better image quality
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is slightly heavier
Compare the D5100 vs the Rebel T3i
Compare the D5100 vs the D3100
Nikon D3200

Nikon D3200

Entry-level DSLR

$547 with 18-55mm lens
Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has significantly better image quality
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the D3200 vs the Rebel T3i
Compare the D3200 vs the D3100
Canon Rebel T3

Canon Rebel T3

Entry-level DSLR

$332 body only

$449 - $499 with 18-55mm lens
Battery life Has a slightly longer battery life
Thickness Is thicker
Sensor cleaning Lacks a self cleaning sensor
Compare the Rebel T3 vs the Rebel T3i
Compare the Rebel T3 vs the D3100
Canon EOS Rebel T2i

Canon Rebel T2i

Entry-level DSLR

$550 body only

$609 with 18-55mm lens
Size Is slightly smaller
Thickness Is thinner
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Compare the Rebel T2i vs the Rebel T3i
Compare the Rebel T2i vs the D3100
Canon EOS 60D

Canon EOS 60D

Pro DSLR

$699 - $899 body only

$999 - $1,279 with 18-135mm lens
Viewfinder size Slightly larger viewfinder
Weather sealed Has a weather sealed body
Lowest price Is significantly more expensive
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the EOS 60D vs the Rebel T3i
Compare the EOS 60D vs the D3100
Canon 650D / T4i

Canon EOS 650D

Entry-level DSLR

$580 - $797 body only

$650 - $1,144 with 18-55mm lens
Light sensitivity Slightly higher maximum light sensitivity
Touch screen Has a touch screen
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the EOS 650D vs the Rebel T3i
Compare the EOS 650D vs the D3100
Nikon D90

Nikon D90

Entry-level DSLR

$675 - $899 body only

$799 - $1,099 with 18-105mm lens
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Dynamic range Has significantly wider dynamic range
Lowest price Is significantly more expensive
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the D90 vs the Rebel T3i
Compare the D90 vs the D3100

Canon Rebel T3i Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Canon Rebel T3i.

Nikon D3100 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon D3000

Nikon D3000

Entry-level DSLR

$436 with 18-55mm lens
Sensor size Larger sensor
Size Smaller
Movie format Does not take movies
Low light performance Significantly more noise at high ISO
Compare the D3000 vs the D3100

appearance

Canon Rebel T3i Nikon D3100
Canon Rebel T3i Nikon D3100
Canon Rebel T3i Nikon D3100

discussion

Showing 14 comments

Shanvtk (11:59 AM, August 11, 2012)
As a beginner Nikon D3100 0r D5100 is best or Canon 550D?
 
Kaveh2k (7:55 PM, December 18, 2011)
no the 3100 is cheaper. Right now I believe you can have the D3100 shipped for about $490.00 through AAFES. But you would have to have eligiiblity as AAFES is a military exchange website
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (7:07 PM, December 09, 2011)
Canon has a big sale on right now for Christmas so some stores are selling it for a really good deal. Unfortunately there was some major flooding in Thailand, which has caused Nikon to close its factory for the past several months, so they have not been able to produce enough D3100 to have a major sale like Canon has. The D3100 is still a good price at $699 on Amazon and the T3i is $720. 

You could also check out our pricing page for both of these cameras. D3100 and the T3i.
 
mld (6:55 PM, December 09, 2011)
Multiple times there have been references to the Nikon 3100 being cheaper than the Canon t3i, but from my research online and in stores, I'm findeing the Canon to be about $150 cheaper than the Nikon.  Does anyone have a website or store you recommend?
 
Ghost-comet-141 (10:45 PM, October 08, 2011)
Pilky, it's best to try out the T3i and decide for yourself. Do some research, and you'll get to know the camera before you buy it. I hope you find a good replacement for the D3100.
 
Ghost-comet-141 (10:43 PM, October 08, 2011)
@ All people who are comparing the two cameras. Both cameras are magnificent, and personally, I believe they can't be truthfully compared. Sure they're both entry-level DSLRs. Thing is though, most opinions are based on personal preference. However, to contribute to this thread, I'll put in my own opinion. I have tried both cameras, and although the Nikon D3100 has an expanded ISO 12300 ceiling whereas the Canon EOS 600D has a lower, somewhat non-expandable ISO 6400 ceiling, the Canon does produce more usable photos at higher ISO ranges. The 600D's flip-out screen enables the user to explore multiple angles that might not have been accessible to the user of a D3100. Both take relatively decent to high resolution pictures, where the D3100 has a 14.2 megapixel sensor, and the 600D has a 18.0 megapixel sensor. These numbers are relatively insignificant to a beginning DSLR photographer, unless you're planning to use the pictures for large-scale prints. The weight difference is rather unnoticeable. There is one major factor though. The Nikon lens mount is in fact a plastic mount. From experience, this isn't a really good thing because your lenses have the possibility of snapping off with extended, rugged use (hiking, etc.). The Canon mount is of metal construction, and it's focus motor allows for more autofocus lenses to be used, but this fact is irrelevant to a starting photographer. The D3100 does feature autofocus for video shooting, but if you're buying the camera to expand your photography skills, it's a rather useless aspect. Both do have a type of "guide" menu. The Nikon has a dedicated guide setting, which helps a budding photographer get to know the camera a little bit more. The 600D provides descriptions of each preset, and is a lot less menu-reliant than the Nikon. I own the Canon EOS Rebel T3i, and I think it's a magnificent precision instrument. I do have the same feel for the Nikon D3100. The D3100 is about $250 cheaper and is easier to access for a person looking for a first DSLR. The 600D, however, is more applicable to someone looking to upgrade from either a four-thirds body camera, or someone looking for a second DSLR either as a backup body or as a primary body. The 600D enables the user to take it past his or her previous limit because of the limitless capabilities of the 600D. If you were to put a capability limit graph up, the T3i does surpass the D3100. But this is obvious knowing that the D3100 is the low entry-level DSLR of Nikon whereas the 600D is the highest real-entry-level DSLR.
 
Kusshal (5:40 AM, September 28, 2011)
Yes Nikon D3100 is better than Canon T3i, as it has longer battery life, continuous video focus in video recording, lighter in weight & easier to use, whereas canon t3i has high mega pixel & Higher ISO, but the lens of both the cameras are same i.e. 18-55mm. The ISO of Nikon is 3200 but it also has options like Hi1 & Hi2, which clearly matches the cameras with ISO upto 6400.

So in my opinion Nikon D3100 is better. But before you buy any, just go, take a demo & click some pictures during the demo & then decide according to your need. People here can give you their opinions but final call is yours.
So all the best. CHEERS
 
Thomasdice (10:02 PM, September 22, 2011)
Is the d3100 better for photography vs the t3i?
 
Ezgrande_1498 (5:09 AM, September 04, 2011)
hi, i need help in choosing between these cameras.. i want to buy a camera which captures fast-moving objects in the best quality of photo if possible.. or, it could be the best suggested camera for photojournalists. thks..
 
Matt.Me (6:57 AM, August 10, 2011)
The Canon t3i can record 1920x1080 video at either 30 or 24fps. It can also record 1280x720 at 60fps as well.
 
Avatar for dexterior dexterior (5:46 AM, August 10, 2011)
oops typo:  meant to say Snapsort!

hi Snapsort - love your site! can you help?   I want to video music
performers in high def 1080p so (unless you have a work-around for the
lack of external mics on the D3100) it seems I'm left with the Canon t3i
for better audio than the D3100 -- but I'm not thrilled the Canon
doesn't record at 24fps (only 30fps)  - would be happy (or not too
unhappy) to spend a few hundred more for what you'd recommend given my
concerns if it's nott one of these 2  -- do you have other
recommendations please?
 
Avatar for dexterior dexterior (5:43 AM, August 10, 2011)
hi Snapshot - love your site! can you help?   I want to video music performers in high def 1080p so (unless you have a work-around for the lack of external mics on the D3100) it seems I'm left with the Canon t3i for better audio than the D3100 -- but I'm not thrilled the Canon doesn't record at 24fps (only 30fps)  - would be happy (or not too unhappy) to spend a few hundred more for what you'd recommend given my concerns if it's nott one of these 2  -- do you have other recommendations please? 
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (1:26 AM, March 13, 2011)
Hi Pilky, what don't you like about the D3100 that you hope the T3i might do better at?
 
Pilky1of4 (0:03 AM, March 13, 2011)
Looking for some advice about making a change from Nikon to Canon?? In November I bought the new Nikon D3100 and I am not loving it....now Canon has out the T3i??? What advice can anyone give me????