Updated (April, 2012): Compare the Nikon D3200 vs Olympus PEN E-P1

Nikon D3100

65

Winner

Nikon D3100

"The D3100 offers little to complain about in terms of image quality, and its new 14Mp sensor delivers very good results."
dpreview.com | talking about the D3100's image-quality
"It's almost impossible to pick up without your hand falling into a sensible position with the key controls at your fingertips."
dpreview.com | talking about the D3100's button-layout

Reasons to buy the Nikon D3100

Movie format
Full HD
1080p @ 24fps
Supports 24p
24p movies
For that film look
Movie continuous focus
Movie continuous focus
Makes it easy to get in-focus movies
Badge
Autofocuses shooting video
Contrast detection
Live view
Has live view
Preview your photos
Olympus PEN E-P1

35

Runner-up

Olympus PEN E-P1

Reasons to buy the Olympus PEN E-P1

Size
Really small
Mid size 121x70x36 mm
Image stabilization
Image stabilization
Sensor shift
Badge
Built-in focus motor
Autofocuses with more lenses
Thickness
Thin
1.4"
Weight
Light-weight
355 g
Live view
Has live view
Preview your photos

differences

Advantages of the Nikon D3100

Movie format Higher resolution movies 1080p @ 24fps vs 720p @ 30fps
Help
Shoots higher resolution Full HD (1080p) video but at a lower frame rate
Autofocus Faster autofocus Phase detection vs Contrast detection
Help
Catch candid moments easily
Supports 24p Supports 24p Yes vs No
Help
Get that real film feel
Lens availability Much more lenses available 169 lenses vs 26 lenses
Help
6.5x more lenses available
Overall image quality Better image quality 67.0 vs 55.0
Help
More than 20% better image quality
Color depth Better color depth 22.5 bits vs 21.4 bits
Help
Distinguishes 1.1 more bits of color
Dynamic range More dynamic range 11.3 EV vs 10.4 EV
Help
0.9 f-stops more dynamic range
Built-in flash Built-in flash Yes vs No
Help
A built-in flash is useful for taking indoor shots where there is little light
Sensor size Larger sensor APS-C 23.1x15.4mm vs Four thirds 18.0x13.5mm
Help
Around 50% larger sensor
Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO 919 ISO vs 536 ISO
Help
The D3100 has a slight edge (0.8 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
True resolution Higher true resolution 14.2 MP vs 12.2 MP
Help
Capture around 20% more detail in your photos
Viewfinder Has a viewfinder Pentamirror vs None
Help
A viewfinder can help save battery life by keeping the screen turned off
Light sensitivity (boost) Has boost ISO 12,800 ISO vs None
Help
Allows taking photos in darker situations, often at the cost of additional noise in the image
Nikon D3100 Learn more about
the Nikon D3100

Advantages of the Olympus PEN E-P1

Lens focus motor Has a built-in focus motor Yes vs No
Help
Autofocuses with all autofocus lenses
Image stabilization Image stabilization Sensor shift vs None
Help
Helps eliminate blur caused by small camera movements
Size Significantly smaller 121x70x36 mm vs 124x96x73 mm
Help
2.9x smaller
Thickness Significantly thinner 1.4" vs 2.9"
Help
2x thinner
Weight Lighter 355 g vs 505 g
Help
Around 30% lighter
Longest exposure Significantly longer exposures 60s vs 30s
Help
2x longer exposures
Lowest price Slightly cheaper $184.49 vs $499.99
Help
The best price we've seen is $316 cheaper (2.7x less)
Olympus PEN E-P1 Learn more about
the Olympus PEN E-P1
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent digital cameras, and ignoring price

Nikon D3100 Nikon D3100
65 vs 35
Explain scores
Olympus PEN E-P1 Olympus PEN E-P1
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Nikon D3100. This recommendation, however, should be taken with a grain of salt since it doesn't always make sense to compare a entry-level DSLR with a mirrorless interchangeable-lens.

advice

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0
votes
by drrazariz last month
Nikon D3100 vs Sony NEX-3

Am a beginner. Want to get a camera for my wedding and honeymoon pictures. Preferably camera tha...

1
votes
by Lance-Villanueva-Ramos last month
Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D90

Beginner,capturing the moment of different events

2 people recommend the Nikon D3100:

" D3100 is going to have better video capabilities which you outlined as a need, image quality wil..."

"The D3100 is better for beginners because it has a great guide that will help you set up the camer..."

1
votes
by Kate-Hughes 4 days ago
Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D90

I am a beginner is DSLR photography & have been researching entry level models. I kep coming bac...

One person recommends the Nikon D3100:

" Hi Kate, Since you are a beginner in DSLR photography and it seems you have a budget, I would..."

0
votes
by Larisa-Dragan this month
Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D90

beginner/want to start a studio for newborn/children pictures/i think shooting in low light is i...

0
votes
by Cathy-Bodie last month
Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D90

Not beginner, but not novice, want also to use for family gatherings and holidays, night shots, sc...

similarities

Compared to recent digital cameras

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Interchangeable lenses Both support interchangeable lenses, which is uncommon in cameras similar to these Help
Many lenses to choose from
Sensor size Large sensors Help
D3100:APS-C 23.1x15.4mm
PEN E-P1:Four thirds 18.0x13.5mm
Supports RAW RAW support Help
Better editing
External flash Support external flash Help
Better lighting
Sensor type Better sensor types Help
D3100:CMOS
PEN E-P1:NMOS
Fastest shutter speed Fast max shutter speeds Help
1/4000 of a second
Longest exposure Long exposures Help
D3100:30s
PEN E-P1:60s
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
Screen resolution Low resolution screens Help
230k dots

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Canon Rebel T3i

Canon Rebel T3i

Entry-level DSLR

$619 - $700 body only

$745 - $1,000 with 18-55mm lens

Screen resolution Has a much higher resolution screen
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is slightly heavier
Nikon D90

Nikon D90

Entry-level DSLR

$897 body only

$1,047 with 55-200mm lens

Screen resolution Has a much higher resolution screen
Dynamic range Has significantly wider dynamic range
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Thickness Is thicker
Nikon 1 J1

Nikon 1 J1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$547 with 10-30mm lens

Screen resolution Has a slightly higher resolution screen
High-speed framerate Records high-speed movies
External flash Doesn't support an external flash
Sensor size Has a marginally smaller sensor
Fujifilm FinePix HS20 EXR

Fujifilm FinePix HS20

Super zoom

$299 - $335

Screen resolution Has a slightly higher resolution screen
High-speed framerate Records high-speed movies
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is significantly heavier

Nikon D3100 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Canon Rebel T3

Canon Rebel T3

Entry-level DSLR

$333 body only

$489 - $500 with 18-55mm lens

Lens focus motor Has a built-in focus motor
Battery life Longer battery life
Movie format Lower resolution movies
Screen size Significantly smaller screen
Nikon D5100

Nikon D5100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $597 body only

$600 - $697 with 18-55mm lens

Screen resolution Much higher resolution screen
External mic jack Has an external mic jack
Size Slightly larger
Weight Slightly heavier
Canon EOS Rebel T2i

Canon Rebel T2i

Entry-level DSLR

$544 - $949 body only

$649 - $867 with 18-55mm lens

Screen resolution Much higher resolution screen
Lens focus motor Has a built-in focus motor
Autofocus Lacks video autofocus
Battery life Shorter battery life
Nikon D3200

Nikon D3200

Entry-level DSLR

$699 - $700 with 18-55mm lens

Screen resolution Much higher resolution screen
True resolution Much higher true resolution
Thickness Slightly thicker
Lowest price Slightly more expensive
Nikon D3000

Nikon D3000

Entry-level DSLR

$449 with 18-55mm lens

Size Slightly smaller
Thickness Thinner
Movie format Does not take movies
Autofocus Lacks video autofocus

Olympus PEN E-P1 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Olympus PEN E-PL1

Olympus PEN E-PL1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$260 - $279 with 14-42mm lens

External mic jack Has an external mic jack
Built-in flash Built-in flash
Screen size Significantly smaller screen
Size Slightly larger
Olympus PEN E-P2

Olympus PEN E-P2

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$480 with 17mm lens

Color depth Better color depth
Lowest price Slightly more expensive
Olympus PEN E-P3

Olympus PEN E-P3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$849 - $900 with 17mm lens

Screen type Has an OLED screen
Movie format Higher resolution movies
Overall image quality Slightly worse image quality
Color depth Worse color depth
Olympus PEN E-PM1

Olympus PEN E-PM1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$500 with 14-42mm lens

Movie format Higher resolution movies
3D Takes 3D photos
Overall image quality Slightly worse image quality
Color depth Worse color depth
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$376 with 14-42mm lens

Movie format Higher resolution movies
Touch screen Has a touch screen
Image stabilization No image stabilization
Color depth Worse color depth

appearance

Nikon D3100 Olympus PEN E-P1
Nikon D3100 Olympus PEN E-P1
Nikon D3100 Olympus PEN E-P1

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