Updated (March, 2012): Compare the Nikon D3200 vs Olympus PEN E-PL2

Nikon D3100
Winner
Nikon D3100

64

vs
Olympus PEN E-PL1

31

Olympus PEN E-PL1
Runner-up
 
 
 
 

Reasons to buy the Nikon D3100

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
 

Reasons to buy the Olympus PEN E-PL1

Size
 Really small
Mid size 115x72x42 mm
Image stabilization
 Image stabilization
Sensor shift
External mic jack
 External mic jack
Record higher quality audio with a microphone
Badge
 Autofocuses shooting video
Contrast detection
 
Differences | Recommendations | Similarities | Competitors | Appearance | Discussion

differences

Advantages of the Nikon D3100
Autofocus Faster autofocus Phase detection vs Contrast detection
Help
 Catch candid moments easily
Screen size Significantly larger screen 3.0" vs 2.7"
Help
 More than 10% larger screen
Supports 24p Supports 24p Yes vs No
Help
 Get that real film feel
Overall image quality Better image quality 67.0 vs 54.0
Help
 More than 20% better image quality
Lens availability Much more lenses available 169 lenses vs 26 lenses
Help
 6.5x more lenses available
Startup delay Significantly less startup delay 400 ms vs 2200 ms
Help
 5.5x less delay when turning on
Movie continuous focus Continuous video focus Yes vs No
Help
 Record movies without worrying about focus
Movie format Higher resolution movies 1080p @ 24fps vs 720p @ 30fps
Help
 Shoots higher resolution Full HD (1080p) video but at a lower frame rate
Battery life Longer battery life 550 shots vs 290 shots
Help
 Around 90% more shots per battery charge
Shutter lag Less shutter lag 279 ms vs 820 ms
Help
 2.9x less delay when taking photos
Dynamic range More dynamic range 11.3 EV vs 10.1 EV
Help
 1.2 f-stops more dynamic range
Color depth Better color depth 22.5 bits vs 21.5 bits
Help
 Distinguishes 1 more bits of color
Sensor size Larger sensor APS-C 23.1x15.4mm vs Four thirds 17.3x13.0mm
Help
 Around 60% larger sensor
Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO 919 ISO vs 487 ISO
Help
 The D3100 has a slight edge (0.9 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
Viewfinder Has a viewfinder Pentamirror vs None
Help
 A viewfinder can help save battery life by keeping the screen turned off
True resolution Higher true resolution 14.2 MP vs 12.2 MP
Help
 Capture around 20% more detail in your photos
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
Fastest shutter speed Faster max shutter speed 1/4000s vs 1/2000s
Help
 2x faster max shutter speed
Nikon D3100 Learn more about
the Nikon D3100

Advantages of the Olympus PEN E-PL1
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
External mic jack Has an external mic jack Yes vs No
Help
 Record high quality audio with an external microphone
Size Significantly smaller 115x72x42 mm vs 124x96x73 mm
Help
 2.5x smaller
Thickness Thinner 1.7" vs 2.9"
Help
 More than 40% thinner
Weight Lighter 334 g vs 505 g
Help
 More than 30% lighter
Longest exposure Longer exposures 60s vs 30s
Help
 2x longer exposures
Olympus PEN E-PL1 Learn more about
the Olympus PEN E-PL1
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent digital cameras, and ignoring price

Nikon D3100 Nikon D3100
64 vs 31
Explain scores
Olympus PEN E-PL1 Olympus PEN E-PL1
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.

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
Supports RAW Supports RAW Help
Better editing
Sensor size Large sensors Help
D3100:APS-C 23.1x15.4mm
PEN E-PL1:Four thirds 17.3x13.0mm
Sensor cleaning Both have self cleaning sensors, which is uncommon in cameras similar to these Help
Avoids dust in your photos
External flash Support external flash Help
Better lighting
Sensor type Better sensor types Help
Better in low light
Panorama Neither camera stitches together panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
Cross type focus points Few cross-type focus points Help
D3100:1
PEN E-PL1:0
HDR Neither has in-camera HDR Help
You could do HDR manually
3D Neither camera can take 3D photos Help
No 3d support
Focus points Few focus points Help
11
Dynamic range Poor dynamic range Help
D3100:11.3 EV
PEN E-PL1:10.1 EV
Screen resolution Low resolution screens Help
230k dots

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Canon Rebel T3

Canon Rebel T3

Entry-level DSLR

$328 body only

$449 with 18-55mm lens
Battery life Has a slightly longer battery life
Sensor cleaning Lacks a self cleaning sensor
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the Rebel T3 vs the D3100
Compare the Rebel T3 vs the PEN E-PL1

Nikon D3100 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon D3200

Nikon D3200

Entry-level DSLR

$547 with 18-55mm lens
Screen resolution Much higher resolution screen
External mic jack Has an external mic jack
Lowest price Slightly more expensive
Compare the D3200 vs the D3100
Nikon D5100

Nikon D5100

Entry-level DSLR

$497 body only

$585 - $805 with 18-55mm lens
Screen resolution Much higher resolution screen
External mic jack Has an external mic jack
Size Slightly larger
Weight Slightly heavier
Compare the D5100 vs the D3100
Canon Rebel T3i

Canon Rebel T3i

Entry-level DSLR

$549 body only

$595 - $599 with 18-55mm lens
Lens focus motor Has a built-in focus motor
Screen resolution Much higher resolution screen
Autofocus Lacks video autofocus
Startup delay Significantly more startup delay
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the D3100
Nikon D90

Nikon D90

Entry-level DSLR

$600 - $899 body only

$739 - $1,099 with 18-105mm lens
Lens focus motor Has a built-in focus motor
Screen resolution Much higher resolution screen
Autofocus Lacks video autofocus
Movie format Lower resolution movies
Compare the D90 vs the D3100
Canon EOS Rebel T2i

Canon Rebel T2i

Entry-level DSLR

$540 body only

$609 with 18-55mm lens
Lens focus motor Has a built-in focus motor
Screen resolution Much higher resolution screen
Autofocus Lacks video autofocus
Battery life Shorter battery life
Compare the Rebel T2i vs the D3100

Olympus PEN E-PL1 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Olympus PEN E-PM1

Olympus PEN E-PM1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$279 - $299 with 14-42mm lens
Screen size Significantly larger screen
3D Takes 3D photos
External mic jack Lacks an external mic jack
Built-in flash No built-in flash
Compare the PEN E-PM1 vs the PEN E-PL1
Olympus PEN Lite E-PL3

Olympus PEN Lite E-PL3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$329 with 14-42mm lens
Screen size Significantly larger screen
Screen flips out Has a flip-out screen
External mic jack Lacks an external mic jack
Built-in flash No built-in flash
Compare the PEN Lite E-PL3 vs the PEN E-PL1
Olympus PEN E-PL2

Olympus PEN E-PL2

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens
Screen size Significantly larger screen
Movie continuous focus Continuous video focus
External mic jack Lacks an external mic jack
Color depth Worse color depth
Compare the PEN E-PL2 vs the PEN E-PL1
Olympus PEN E-P1

Olympus PEN E-P1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$285 body only

$399 with 14-42mm lens
Screen size Significantly larger screen
Dynamic range More dynamic range
External mic jack Lacks an external mic jack
Shutter lag More shutter lag
Compare the PEN E-P1 vs the PEN E-PL1
Nikon 1 J1

Nikon 1 J1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$299 - $348 with 10-30mm lens
Continuous shooting Shoots much faster
Focus points Many more focus points
Image stabilization No image stabilization
External mic jack Lacks an external mic jack
Compare the 1 J1 vs the PEN E-PL1

appearance

Nikon D3100 Olympus PEN E-PL1
Nikon D3100 Olympus PEN E-PL1
Nikon D3100 Olympus PEN E-PL1

discussion

Showing 0 comments