Updated (August 2010): Compare the Canon EOS 500D vs Nikon D3100

Nikon D3100 vs Canon EOS 500D

Tie
Nikon D3100

100
Canon EOS 500D

99

Tie

Reasons to buy the Nikon D3100

Full HD
Movie format
1080p @ 24fps
24p movies
Supports 24p
For that film look
Movie continuous focus
Movie continuous focus
Makes it easy to get in-focus movies
Has live view
Live view
Preview your photos
 

Reasons to buy the Canon EOS 500D

Screen resolution
 High resolution screen
920k dots
Startup delay
 Almost no delay when powering up
300 ms startup delay
Shutter lag
 Barely any delay taking photos
159 ms shutter lag
Size
 Really small
Prosumer size (129×98×62 mm)
More detailed differences and similarities →

galleries

Explore our gallery of 50 sample photos taken by the Canon EOS 500D.
Explore our gallery of 48 sample photos taken by the Nikon D3100.

competitors

Nikon D3100 Competitors

Nikon D3400

Nikon D3400

Entry-level DSLR

$326 body only

$397 - $497 with 18-55mm lens

Screen resolution Much higher resolution screen
Movie format Lower frame rate movies
Size Larger
Compare the D3400 vs the D3100
Canon EOS 1100D

Canon EOS 1100D

Entry-level DSLR

$328 body only

$642 with 18-55mm lens

Startup delay Much less startup delay
Shutter lag Much less shutter lag
Movie format Lower resolution movies
Compare the EOS 1100D vs the D3100
Canon EOS 1200D

Canon EOS 1200D

Entry-level DSLR

$354 body only

$446 with 18-55mm lens

Screen resolution Much higher resolution screen
True resolution Significantly higher true resolution
Size Larger
Compare the EOS 1200D vs the D3100

Canon EOS 500D Competitors

Canon EOS 1100D

Canon EOS 1100D

Entry-level DSLR

$328 body only

$642 with 18-55mm lens

Startup delay Much less startup delay
Shutter lag Much less shutter lag
Movie format Lower resolution movies
Compare the EOS 1100D vs the EOS 500D
Canon EOS 550D

Canon EOS 550D

Entry-level DSLR

$328 body only

$590 with 18-55mm, 55-250mm lenses

Supports 24p Supports 24p
Screen resolution Significantly higher resolution screen
Compare the EOS 550D vs the EOS 500D
Nikon D3200

Nikon D3200

Entry-level DSLR

$300 body only

Supports 24p Supports 24p
True resolution Much higher true resolution
Thickness Much thicker
Compare the D3200 vs the EOS 500D
More detailed differences and similarities →

discussion

Nikon D3100
D3100
Nikon

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Canon EOS 500D
EOS 500D
Canon

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Showing 5 comments

Avatar for Mark Stanley-Adams Mark Stanley-Adams (9:56 AM, November 22, 2012)
Two very good cameras which are so similar in so many ways as to be virtually indistinguishable from each other. I've fiddled with both and found the differences between them are not at all significant, so choosing between them comes right down to a matter of your personal preference.
 
An2ar (9:35 AM, April 27, 2012)
i use both, d3100 too sharp for colorful image, and at low light...its look too much noise at high iso.500d image looks more bright, less noise at high iso but blur the details of the image. Using daylight nikon the winner, but don't use flash with red eye reduction, it cause slow response for the shutter. The entire body i feel more comfort with canon and also the design.Nikon lens kit 18-55 looks  fragile especially when you turn the zoom fast. For video feature nikon is better, easy live view, and you can capture video in any mode with shortcut button.
 
Yanuarpooh (2:30 PM, January 11, 2012)
i had nikon D3100 and it's rock
 
Mike (8:20 PM, March 31, 2011)
Rumour has it Nikons are easier to use. Best thing to do is hold both in your hands and you should know which you want
 
Piyush_bond007 (5:55 PM, March 06, 2011)
what according to you wil be a right choice for a beginner?
 
More detailed differences and similarities →