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

Canon EOS 500D vs Nikon D3100

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Reasons to buy the Canon EOS 500D

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

Reasons to buy the Nikon D3100

Movie format
 Full HD
1080p @ 24fps
Color depth
 Great color depth
22.5 bits
Supports 24p
 24p movies
For that film look
Movie continuous focus
 Movie continuous focus
Makes it easy to get in-focus movies
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

Canon EOS 500D Competitors

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Canon EOS 1100D

Entry-level DSLR

$629 with 18-55mm lens

Color depth Better color depth
Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO
Movie format Lower resolution movies
Compare the EOS 1100D vs the EOS 500D
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Canon EOS 550D

Entry-level DSLR

$708 with 18-135mm lens

Color depth Better color depth
Supports 24p Supports 24p
Shutter lag Much more shutter lag
Compare the EOS 550D vs the EOS 500D
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Canon EOS 100D

Entry-level DSLR

$891 with 18-55mm lens

Supports 24p Supports 24p
Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO
Dynamic range Less dynamic range
Compare the EOS 100D vs the EOS 500D

Nikon D3100 Competitors

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Nikon D3200

Entry-level DSLR

$675 with 18-55mm lens

Dynamic range More dynamic range
Screen resolution Much higher resolution screen
Thickness Thicker
Compare the D3200 vs the D3100
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Canon EOS 1200D

Entry-level DSLR

$404 - $634 with 18-55mm lens

Screen resolution Much higher resolution screen
True resolution Significantly higher true resolution
Color depth Worse color depth
Compare the EOS 1200D vs the D3100
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Canon EOS 1100D

Entry-level DSLR

$629 with 18-55mm lens

Shutter lag Much less shutter lag
Startup delay Much less startup delay
Movie format Lower resolution movies
Compare the EOS 1100D vs the D3100
More detailed differences and similarities →

discussion

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EOS 500D
Canon

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D3100
Nikon

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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 →