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

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-PL1

33

Runner-up

Olympus PEN E-PL1

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
Badge
Built-in focus motor
Autofocuses with more lenses
Thickness
Thin
1.7"

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
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
Movie continuous focus Continuous video focus Yes vs No
Help
Record movies without worrying about focus
Startup delay Significantly less startup delay 400 ms vs 2200 ms
Help
5.5x less delay when turning on
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
Battery life Longer battery life 550 shots vs 290 shots
Help
Around 90% more shots per battery charge
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
Shutter lag Less shutter lag 279 ms vs 820 ms
Help
2.9x less delay when taking photos
Sensor size Larger sensor APS-C 23.1x15.4mm vs Four thirds 18.0x13.5mm
Help
Around 50% larger sensor
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
Fastest shutter speed Significantly 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
External mic jack Has an external mic jack Yes vs No
Help
Record high quality audio with an external microphone
Image stabilization Image stabilization Sensor shift vs None
Help
Helps eliminate blur caused by small camera movements
Size Significantly smaller 115x72x42 mm vs 124x96x73 mm
Help
2.5x smaller
Thickness Significantly 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 Significantly longer exposures 60s vs 30s
Help
2x longer exposures
Lowest price Slightly cheaper $259.99 vs $499.99
Help
The best price we've seen is $240 cheaper (around 50% less)
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
65 vs 33
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.

advice

Need help deciding?

Ask the community!

I am considering either the Nikon D3100 or the Olympus PEN E-PL1,
For example: Taking photos in low light or great family photos or ability to take great photos underwater

Select aspects that are most important to you: (max 3)

Popular tags:

Are you a camera expert? Share your knowledge!

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...

0
votes
by Stacy-Smith-Prater last month
Nikon J1 vs Nikon D3100

I want to capture my son out on the soccer field and my daughter at swim meets in low light in ind...

2 people recommend the Nikon D3100:

" Get the Nikon D3100, you should only consider the J1 if its really important for the camera to b..."

"Go with the Nikon D3100, DSLRs are a proven technology, Mirrorless cameras will one day be better ..."

1
votes
by bobby-loomba last month
Nikon J1 vs Nikon D3100

I love photography, lighting and taking artistic snaps. Not new to it but not a pro yet.

One person recommends the Nikon D3100:

"The D3100 offers you more range, than the J1, because there are more lenses."

0
votes
by tdlorimer last week
Nikon J1 vs Nikon D3100

Years ago I used to take professional pictures for portraits, modeling (people just starting out...

One person recommends the Nikon D3100:

" it would be great to use Fuji Velvia dia slide film with F100 nikon as it's the best 35 mm after..."

0
votes
by trixie-bird last week
Olympus PEN E-PL1 vs Panasonic DMC-GF2

Intermediate.  Want to take pictures or people and landscapes.

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-PL1:Four thirds 18.0x13.5mm
Supports RAW RAW support Help
Better editing
External flash Support external flash Help
Better lighting
Sensor cleaning Self cleaning sensors Help
Avoids dust in your photos
Sensor type Better sensor types Help
Better in low light
Longest exposure Long exposures Help
D3100:30s
PEN E-PL1:60s
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
Screen resolution Low resolution screens Help
230k dots

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Canon Rebel T3

Canon Rebel T3

Entry-level DSLR

$333 body only

$489 - $500 with 18-55mm lens

Light sensitivity Slightly higher maximum light sensitivity
Battery life Has a slightly longer battery life
Sensor cleaning Lacks a self cleaning sensor
Thickness Is thicker
Canon EOS Rebel T2i

Canon Rebel T2i

Entry-level DSLR

$544 - $949 body only

$649 - $867 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 D3000

Nikon D3000

Entry-level DSLR

$449 with 18-55mm lens

Live view Doesn't let you preview your photos on the screen
Sensor type Has a CCD-family sensor
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
Sony Alpha NEX-5

Sony Alpha NEX-5

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$569 with 18-55mm lens

Screen resolution Has a much higher resolution screen
Light sensitivity Significantly higher maximum light sensitivity
Built-in flash Doesn't have a built-in flash
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

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
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
Canon Rebel T3i

Canon Rebel T3i

Entry-level DSLR

$619 - $700 body only

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

Screen resolution Much higher resolution screen
Lens focus motor Has a built-in focus motor
Autofocus Lacks video autofocus
Startup delay More startup delay
Nikon D90

Nikon D90

Entry-level DSLR

$897 body only

$1,047 with 55-200mm lens

Screen resolution Much higher resolution screen
Lens focus motor Has a built-in focus motor
Movie format Lower resolution movies
Autofocus Lacks video autofocus

Olympus PEN E-PL1 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Olympus PEN E-PL2

Olympus PEN E-PL2

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$485 with 14-42mm 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
Olympus PEN E-PM1

Olympus PEN E-PM1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$500 with 14-42mm lens

Movie format Higher resolution movies
Screen size Significantly larger screen
External mic jack Lacks an external mic jack
Built-in flash No built-in flash
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$433 body only

Movie format Higher resolution movies
Screen size Significantly larger screen
External mic jack Lacks an external mic jack
Image stabilization No image stabilization
Olympus PEN Lite E-PL3

Olympus PEN Lite E-PL3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$589 - $600 with 14-42mm lens

Movie format Higher resolution movies
Screen size Significantly larger screen
External mic jack Lacks an external mic jack
Built-in flash No built-in flash
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$376 with 14-42mm lens

Movie format Higher resolution movies
Screen size Significantly larger screen
External mic jack Lacks an external mic jack
Image stabilization No image stabilization

appearance

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

discussion

Showing 0 comments