Updated (February, 2011): Compare the Nikon Coolpix P500 vs Nikon D3100

Nikon Coolpix P100

52

vs
Nikon D3000

36

Nikon D3000
Runner-up
 
 
 
 

Reasons to buy the Nikon Coolpix P100

Movie format
 Full HD
1080p @ 30fps
Screen size
 Large screen
3.0"
Image stabilization
 Image stabilization
Sensor shift
Continuous shooting
 Rapid fire
10 fps
 

Reasons to buy the Nikon D3000

Screen size
 Large screen
3.0"
Badge
 Phase detection autofocus
fast and accurate
 
Differences | Recommendations | Similarities | Competitors | Appearance | Discussion

differences

Advantages of the Nikon P100
Image stabilization Image stabilization Sensor shift vs None
Help
 Helps eliminate blur caused by small camera movements
Movie format Shoots movies 1080p @ 30fps vs None
Help
 Shoots Full HD (1080p) video as well as still pictures
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
Screen resolution Higher resolution screen 460k dots vs 230k dots
Help
 2x higher resolution screen
Continuous shooting Shoots faster 10 fps vs 3 fps
Help
 Around 3.5x faster continuous shooting
Sensor type Has a CMOS-family sensor CMOS vs CCD
Help
 CMOS-family sensors often produce better quality images
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 3,200 ISO vs 1,600 ISO
Help
 The P100's maximum light sensitivity is 1 f-stop better
Shutter lag Slightly less shutter lag 190 ms vs 262 ms
Help
 Around 30% less delay when taking photos
Weight Slightly lighter 481 g vs 536 g
Help
 More than 10% lighter
Nikon Coolpix P100 Learn more about
the Nikon P100

Advantages of the Nikon D3000
Autofocus Faster autofocus Phase detection vs Contrast detection
Help
 Catch candid moments easily
Sensor size Significantly larger sensor APS-C 23.6x15.8mm vs 1/2.3" 6.2x4.6mm
Help
 More than 13x larger sensor
Interchangeable lenses Has interchangeable lenses Yes vs No
Help
 Can take advantage of a variety of lenses
Supports RAW Shoots RAW Yes vs No
Help
 Digitally develop your own photos with precise image control
Size Smaller 126x97x64 mm vs 114x83x99 mm
Help
 Around 20% smaller
Thickness Significantly thinner 2.5" vs 3.9"
Help
 Around 40% thinner
External flash Supports an external flash Yes vs No
Help
 An external flash often produces better looking flash images
Viewfinder Has an optical viewfinder Pentamirror vs Digital
Help
 Optical viewfinders save battery life and are more detailed
Fastest shutter speed Faster max shutter speed 1/4000s vs 1/2000s
Help
 2x faster max shutter speed
Longest exposure Longer exposures 30s vs 8s
Help
 Around 4x longer exposures
Nikon D3000 Learn more about
the Nikon D3000
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent digital cameras, and ignoring price

Nikon Coolpix P100 Nikon Coolpix P100
52 vs 36
Explain scores
Nikon D3000 Nikon D3000
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Nikon Coolpix P100. This recommendation, however, should be taken with a grain of salt since it doesn't always make sense to compare a super zoom with a entry-level DSLR.

similarities

Compared to recent digital cameras

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Viewfinder Viewfinders Help
P100:Digital
D3000:Pentamirror
Weight Heavy Help
P100:481 g
D3000:536 g
Thickness Quite thick Help
P100:3.9"
D3000:2.5"
Panorama Neither camera stitches together panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
HDR Neither has in-camera HDR Help
You could do HDR manually
3D Neither camera can take 3D photos Help
No 3d support
Size Large Help
P100:114x83x99 mm
D3000:126x97x64 mm

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon D3100

Nikon D3100

Entry-level DSLR

$447 - $740 with 18-55mm lens
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Supports 24p Records movies in 24p
Compare the D3100 vs the Coolpix P100
Compare the D3100 vs the D3000
Nikon D3200

Nikon D3200

Entry-level DSLR

$547 with 18-55mm lens
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Screen resolution Has a significantly higher resolution screen
Compare the D3200 vs the Coolpix P100
Compare the D3200 vs the D3000
Nikon D5100

Nikon D5100

Entry-level DSLR

$497 body only

$595 - $805 with 18-55mm lens
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Screen resolution Has a significantly higher resolution screen
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the D5100 vs the Coolpix P100
Compare the D5100 vs the D3000
Nikon Coolpix P510

Nikon Coolpix P510

Super zoom

$345
Zoom Has way more more zoom
Wide angle Has a slightly wider wide angle lens
Thickness Is thicker
Battery life Has a significantly shorter battery life
Compare the Coolpix P510 vs the Coolpix P100
Compare the Coolpix P510 vs the D3000

Nikon Coolpix P100 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon Coolpix P500

Nikon Coolpix P500

Super zoom

$596
Zoom Significantly more zoom
Screen resolution Significantly higher resolution screen
Aperture Significantly narrower aperture
Size Slightly larger
Compare the Coolpix P500 vs the Coolpix P100
Nikon Coolpix L810

Nikon Coolpix L810

Super zoom

$180 - $249
Screen resolution Significantly higher resolution screen
3D Takes 3D photos
Screen flips out Screen does not flip out
Aperture Narrower aperture
Compare the Coolpix L810 vs the Coolpix P100
Canon PowerShot SX30 IS

Canon PowerShot SX30 IS

Super zoom

$595
Zoom Significantly more zoom
Wide angle Better wide angle
Screen size Significantly smaller screen
Movie format Lower resolution movies
Compare the PowerShot SX30 IS vs the Coolpix P100
Nikon Coolpix L820

Nikon Coolpix L820

Super zoom

$197 - $277
Screen resolution Significantly higher resolution screen
3D Takes 3D photos
Screen flips out Screen does not flip out
Aperture Narrower aperture
Compare the Coolpix L820 vs the Coolpix P100
Nikon Coolpix P90

Nikon Coolpix P90

Super zoom
Image stabilization Better image stabilization
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity
Movie format Lower resolution movies
Screen resolution Lower resolution screen
Compare the Coolpix P90 vs the Coolpix P100

Nikon D3000 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Canon Rebel T3

Canon Rebel T3

Entry-level DSLR

$328 body only

$449 with 18-55mm lens
Lens focus motor Has a built-in focus motor
Live view Has live view
Screen size Significantly smaller screen
Size Larger
Compare the Rebel T3 vs the D3000
Nikon D60

Nikon D60

Entry-level DSLR
Overall image quality Slightly better image quality
Dynamic range More dynamic range
Screen size Much smaller screen
Autofocus Slower autofocus
Compare the D60 vs the D3000
Nikon D5000

Nikon D5000

Entry-level DSLR

$642 with 18-55mm lens
Screen flips out Has a flip-out screen
Live view Has live view
Screen size Significantly smaller screen
Size Larger
Compare the D5000 vs the D3000
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS

Entry-level DSLR

$459 with 18-55mm lens
Lens focus motor Has a built-in focus motor
Live view Has live view
Screen size Much smaller screen
Autofocus Slower autofocus
Compare the EOS Digital Rebel XS vs the D3000

appearance

Nikon Coolpix P100 Nikon D3000
Nikon Coolpix P100 Nikon D3000
Nikon Coolpix P100 Nikon D3000

discussion

Showing 2 comments

Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (1:07 AM, August 30, 2010)
You have a good point, we have thought about this a bit, see the comment at the top of the comparison:

"This recommendation, however, should be taken with a grain of salt since it doesn't always make sense to compare a super zoom with a entry-level DSLR."

I'd definitely agree that image quality would be much better with any DSLR, but thats not the only criteria when buying a camera, for example try finding a 30x lens for the D3000, you'd need something like a 18mm-540mm lens, giving the P100 a big advantage if that is important to you.
 
Dfr (4:11 PM, August 29, 2010)
please watch out how you compare models on this site, Is a SLR is worse than a bridge?? It is misleading for those who are new to cameras....

Have you ever seen pictures from a Nikon D3000 and a P100?