Canon 500D vs Nikon D3100

Explore 12 sample photos taken by the Canon EOS 500D

Much higher resolution screen

920k dots vs 230k dots

4x higher resolution screen

Significantly less shutter lag

159 ms vs 279 ms

More than 40% less delay when taking photos

More dynamic range

11.5 EV vs 11.3 EV

0.2 f-stops more dynamic range

Larger viewfinder

0.54x vs 0.51x

More than 10% larger viewfinder

Much thinner

2.4" vs 2.9"

Around 20% thinner

Smaller

129x98x62 mm vs 124x96x73 mm

More than 10% smaller

Shoots slightly faster

3.4 fps vs 3 fps

More than 10% faster continuous shooting

Slightly higher true resolution

15.1 MP vs 14.2 MP

Capture around 10% more detail in your photos

Slightly less startup delay

300 ms vs 400 ms

Around 30% less delay when turning on

Learn more about
the Canon 500D

Lower noise at high ISO

919 ISO vs 663 ISO

The D3100 has a slight edge (0.5 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance

Better color depth

22.5 bits vs 21.7 bits

Distinguishes 0.8 more bits of color

Video autofocus

Contrast detection vs None

Automatically focuses shooting video

Supports 24p

Yes vs No

Get that real film feel

Better image quality

67.0 vs 63.0

Around 10% better image quality

Longer battery life

550 shots vs 400 shots

Around 40% more shots per battery charge

Higher frame rate movies

1080p @ 24fps vs 1080p @ 20fps

Both shoot Full HD (1080p) video, but 500D does so at a lower frame rate

Significantly cheaper

$233.22 vs $623.64

The best price we've seen is $390 cheaper (2.7x less)

Slightly more lenses available

205 lenses vs 197 lenses

Almost the same

Slightly more focus points

11 vs 9

Set focus accurately within the frame

Slightly lighter

505 g vs 520 g

Almost the same

Learn more about
the Nikon D3100

Which camera do we recommend? Relative to the best recent entry-level DSLRs, and ignoring price

Canon EOS 500D 53

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54 Nikon D3100

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Compared to recent entry-level DSLRs

Common Strengths

Minimal startup delay

500D:	300 ms
D3100:	400 ms

Many lenses available

500D:	197 lenses
D3100:	205 lenses

Fairly small

500D:	129x98x62 mm
D3100:	124x96x73 mm

Common Weaknesses

	Slow max shutter speed
	1/4000 of a second

	Poor boost ISO
	12,800 ISO

	Neither has in-camera HDR
	You could do HDR manually

	Below average viewfinder coverage
	95%

	Neither has an external mic jack
	Limited to the in-camera mic

Slow continuous shooting

500D:	3.4 fps
D3100:	3 fps

Capture low resolution images

500D:	15.1 MP
D3100:	14.2 MP

	Few cross-type focus points
	1

	Poor maximum light sensitivity
	3,200 ISO

	No flip-out screens
	Less flexible

Few focus points

500D:	9
D3100:	11

	No image stabilization
	Risk of blur

Poor dynamic range

500D:	11.5 EV
D3100:	11.3 EV

	No touchscreens
	More buttons

	Neither is weather sealed
	Need to shelter it from weather

Full HD (1080p) video

500D:	1080p @ 20fps
D3100:	1080p @ 24fps

Below average viewfinder size

500D:	0.54x
D3100:	0.51x

Low image quality

500D:	63.0
D3100:	67.0

Above average noise at high ISO

500D:	663 ISO
D3100:	919 ISO

Image quality data for the Canon 500D provided by DxOMark
Image quality data for the Nikon D3100 provided by DxOMark

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Nikon D3200

Entry-level DSLR

$302 - $557 body only

$379 - $447 with 18-55mm lens

Is slightly less noisy at high ISO

Has significantly better image quality

Is thicker

Is significantly larger

Compare the D3200 vs the EOS 500D

Compare the D3200 vs the D3100

Canon EOS 1100D

Entry-level DSLR

$374 with 18-55mm lens

Has slightly less shutter lag

Has a slightly longer battery life

Is slightly more expensive

Is thicker

Compare the EOS 1100D vs the EOS 500D

Compare the EOS 1100D vs the D3100

Canon EOS 1200D

Entry-level DSLR

$400 body only

Takes slightly higher resolution photos

Is slightly more expensive

Is thicker

Compare the EOS 1200D vs the EOS 500D

Compare the EOS 1200D vs the D3100

Canon EOS 600D

Entry-level DSLR

$521 - $651 with 18-55mm lens

Has a slightly higher resolution screen

Takes slightly higher resolution photos

Is significantly more expensive

Is thicker

Compare the EOS 600D vs the EOS 500D

Compare the EOS 600D vs the D3100

Nikon D5100

Entry-level DSLR

$334 body only

$847 with 18-55mm lens

Is slightly less noisy at high ISO

Has significantly better image quality

Is thicker

Is significantly larger

Compare the D5100 vs the EOS 500D

Compare the D5100 vs the D3100

Canon EOS 550D

Entry-level DSLR

Has a slightly higher resolution screen

Takes slightly higher resolution photos

Is significantly more expensive

Has significantly more shutter lag

Compare the EOS 550D vs the EOS 500D

Compare the EOS 550D vs the D3100

Nikon D3300

Entry-level DSLR

$429 - $497 with 18-55mm lens

Is significantly less noisy at high ISO

Has significantly better image quality

Is slightly more expensive

Is thicker

Compare the D3300 vs the EOS 500D

Compare the D3300 vs the D3100

Canon EOS 500D Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Canon EOS 500D.

Nikon D3100 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Nikon D3100.

EOS 500D

Canon

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D3100

Nikon

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Showing 5 comments

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?

Nikon D3100 vs Canon EOS 500D

Reasons to buy the Nikon D3100

Reasons to buy the Canon EOS 500D

galleries

differences

Advantages of the Canon 500D

Advantages of the Nikon D3100

recommendations

Which camera do we recommend? Relative to the best recent entry-level DSLRs, and ignoring price

similarities

Compared to recent entry-level DSLRs

dxomark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Nikon D3200

Canon EOS 1100D

Canon EOS 1200D

Canon EOS 600D

Nikon D5100

Canon EOS 550D

Nikon D3300

Canon EOS 500D Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Nikon D3100 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

appearance

discussion

Showing 5 comments