Updated (April, 2012): Compare the Nikon D3200 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38

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
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38

52

Reasons to buy the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38

Image stabilization
Image stabilization
Lens
External mic jack
External mic jack
Record higher quality audio with a microphone
Badge
Autofocuses shooting video
Contrast detection
Weight
Light-weight
367 g
Longest exposure
Long exposures
60 seconds

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
Sensor size Much larger sensor APS-C 23.1x15.4mm vs 1/2.3" 6.1x4.6mm
Help
More than 12.5x larger sensor
True resolution Significantly higher true resolution 14.2 MP vs 9.8 MP
Help
Capture around 50% more detail in your photos
Interchangeable lenses Has interchangeable lenses Yes vs No
Help
Can take advantage of a variety of lenses
Sensor type Has a CMOS-family sensor CMOS vs CCD
Help
CMOS-family sensors often produce better quality images
External flash Supports an external flash Yes vs No
Help
An external flash often produces better looking flash images
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 3,200 ISO vs 1,600 ISO
Help
The D3100's maximum light sensitivity is 1 f-stop better
Battery life Longer battery life 550 shots vs 470 shots
Help
Around 20% more shots per battery charge
Thickness Thinner 2.9" vs 3.5"
Help
Around 20% thinner
Viewfinder Has an optical viewfinder Pentamirror vs Digital
Help
Optical viewfinders save battery life and are more detailed
Fastest shutter speed Significantly faster max shutter speed 1/4000s vs 1/2000s
Help
2x faster max shutter speed
Continuous shooting Shoots slightly faster 3 fps vs 2.3 fps
Help
More than 30% faster continuous shooting
Light sensitivity (boost) Better boost ISO 12,800 ISO vs 6,400 ISO
Help
The D3100's boost ISO is 1 f-stop better
Nikon D3100 Learn more about
the Nikon D3100

Advantages of the Panasonic DMC-FZ38

Image stabilization Image stabilization Lens 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 Slightly smaller 118x76x89 mm vs 124x96x73 mm
Help
Around 10% smaller
Weight Lighter 367 g vs 505 g
Help
Around 30% lighter
Longest exposure Significantly longer exposures 60s vs 30s
Help
2x longer exposures
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38 Learn more about
the Panasonic DMC-FZ38
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent digital cameras, and ignoring price

Nikon D3100 Nikon D3100
65 vs 52
Explain scores
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38
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 super zoom.

advice

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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...

0
votes
by Terence-Robertson this month
Fujifilm HS20 vs Nikon D3100

i am a beginer with £400 budget just want best alrounder for my money

similarities

Compared to recent digital cameras

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Supports RAW RAW support Help
Better editing
Battery life Great battery life Help
D3100:550 shots
DMC-FZ38:470 shots
Viewfinder Viewfinders Help
D3100:Pentamirror
DMC-FZ38:Digital
Longest exposure Long exposures Help
D3100:30s
DMC-FZ38:60s
Thickness Quite thick Help
D3100:2.9"
DMC-FZ38:3.5"
Weight Heavy Help
D3100:505 g
DMC-FZ38:367 g
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
Size Large Help
D3100:124x96x73 mm
DMC-FZ38:118x76x89 mm
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 EOS 1100D

Canon EOS 1100D

Entry-level DSLR

$489 - $546 body only

$546 - $643 with 18-55mm lens

Light sensitivity Slightly higher maximum light sensitivity
Lens focus motor Has a built-in focus motor
Sensor cleaning Lacks a self cleaning sensor
Autofocus Lacks autofocus
Nikon D5100

Nikon D5100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $597 body only

$600 - $697 with 18-55mm lens

Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Screen resolution Has a much higher resolution screen
Weight Is slightly heavier
Canon EOS 550D

Canon EOS 550D

Entry-level DSLR

$704 - $916 body only

$731 - $874 with 18-55mm lens

Screen resolution Has a much higher resolution screen
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Weight Is slightly heavier
Autofocus Lacks autofocus
Canon EOS 600D

Canon EOS 600D

Entry-level DSLR

$835 with 18-55mm lens

Screen resolution Has a much higher resolution screen
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Weight Is slightly heavier
Autofocus Lacks autofocus
Nikon Coolpix P510

Nikon Coolpix P510

Super zoom

$397 - $400

Zoom Has way more more zoom
Wide angle Has a slightly wider wide angle lens
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Longest exposure Significantly shorter exposures
Canon Powershot SX40

Canon Powershot SX40

Super zoom

$347 - $380

Zoom Has way more more zoom
Wide angle Has a slightly wider wide angle lens
Longest exposure Slightly shorter exposures
Thickness Is thicker
Fujifilm FinePix HS22 EXR

Fujifilm FinePix HS22

Super zoom

Zoom Has much more zoom
Wide angle Has a slightly wider wide angle lens
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is significantly heavier

Nikon D3100 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

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 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
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

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ150

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ150

Super zoom

$495 - $500

Movie format Higher resolution movies
Screen size Significantly larger screen
Size Larger
Weight Heavier
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ47

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ47

Super zoom

$285

Movie format Higher resolution movies
Screen size Significantly larger screen
External mic jack Lacks an external mic jack
Supports RAW No RAW support
Nikon Coolpix L120

Nikon Coolpix L120

Super zoom

$180 - $215

Screen resolution Much higher resolution screen
Screen size Significantly larger screen
External mic jack Lacks an external mic jack
Aperture Narrower aperture
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28

Super zoom

$136 - $151

Lowest price Cheaper
External mic jack Lacks an external mic jack
Weight Slightly heavier
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ45

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ45

Super zoom

$366 - $450

Screen size Significantly larger screen
Zoom More zoom
External mic jack Lacks an external mic jack
Size Slightly larger

appearance

Nikon D3100 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38
Nikon D3100 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38
Nikon D3100 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38

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