Updated (April, 2012): Compare the Nikon D3200 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1

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-G1

29

Reasons to buy the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1

Size
Really small
Standard size 124x84x45 mm
Badge
Built-in focus motor
Autofocuses with more lenses
Thickness
Thin
1.8"
Weight
Light-weight
430 g
Live view
Has live view
Preview your photos
Longest exposure
Long exposures
60 seconds

differences

Advantages of the Nikon D3100

Movie format Shoots movies 1080p @ 24fps vs None
Help
Shoots Full HD (1080p) video as well as still pictures
Autofocus Faster autofocus Phase detection vs Contrast detection
Help
Catch candid moments easily
Overall image quality Better image quality 67.0 vs 53.0
Help
Around 30% better image quality
Lens availability Much more lenses available 169 lenses vs 26 lenses
Help
6.5x more lenses available
Autofocus Video autofocus Contrast detection vs None
Help
Automatically focuses shooting video
Color depth Better color depth 22.5 bits vs 21.1 bits
Help
Distinguishes 1.4 more bits of color
Dynamic range More dynamic range 11.3 EV vs 10.3 EV
Help
1 f-stop more dynamic range
Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO 919 ISO vs 463 ISO
Help
The D3100 has a slight edge (1 f-stop) in low noise, high ISO performance
True resolution Higher true resolution 14.2 MP vs 12 MP
Help
Capture around 20% more detail in your photos
Sensor size Larger sensor APS-C 23.1x15.4mm vs Four thirds 18.0x13.5mm
Help
Around 50% larger sensor
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
Viewfinder Has an optical viewfinder Pentamirror vs Digital
Help
Optical viewfinders save battery life and are more detailed
Light sensitivity (boost) Better boost ISO 12,800 ISO vs 3,200 ISO
Help
The D3100's boost ISO is 2 f-stops better
Nikon D3100 Learn more about
the Nikon D3100

Advantages of the Panasonic DMC-G1

Lens focus motor Has a built-in focus motor Yes vs No
Help
Autofocuses with all autofocus lenses
Size Smaller 124x84x45 mm vs 124x96x73 mm
Help
Around 50% smaller
Screen resolution Higher resolution screen 460k dots vs 230k dots
Help
2x higher resolution screen
Thickness Thinner 1.8" vs 2.9"
Help
Around 40% thinner
Weight Lighter 430 g vs 505 g
Help
More than 10% lighter
Longest exposure Significantly longer exposures 60s vs 30s
Help
2x longer exposures
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 Learn more about
the Panasonic DMC-G1
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent digital cameras, and ignoring price

Nikon D3100 Nikon D3100
65 vs 29
Explain scores
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1
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
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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
DMC-G1:Four thirds 18.0x13.5mm
Supports RAW RAW support Help
Better editing
External flash Support external flash Help
Better lighting
Viewfinder Viewfinders Help
D3100:Pentamirror
DMC-G1:Digital
Sensor type Better sensor types Help
Better in low light
Fastest shutter speed Fast max shutter speeds Help
1/4000 of a second
Longest exposure Long exposures Help
D3100:30s
DMC-G1:60s
Weight Heavy Help
D3100:505 g
DMC-G1:430 g
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur
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

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
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 significantly higher resolution screen
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is slightly heavier
Canon EOS Rebel T2i

Canon Rebel T2i

Entry-level DSLR

$544 - $949 body only

$649 - $867 with 18-55mm lens

Screen resolution Has a significantly higher resolution screen
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is slightly heavier
Canon Rebel T3i

Canon Rebel T3i

Entry-level DSLR

$619 - $700 body only

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

Screen resolution Has a significantly 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 significantly higher resolution screen
Dynamic range Has significantly wider dynamic range
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is significantly 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
Sony Alpha NEX-5

Sony Alpha NEX-5

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$569 with 18-55mm lens

Screen resolution Has a significantly higher resolution screen
Size Is slightly smaller
Viewfinder Doesn't have a viewfinder
Built-in flash Doesn't have a built-in flash

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

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$500 body only

$700 with 14-42mm lens

Movie format Shoots movies
Screen flips out Has a flip-out screen
Sensor size Slightly smaller sensor
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$615 - $642 with 14-42mm lens

Screen flips out Has a flip-out screen
Movie format Shoots movies
Size Larger
Thickness Thicker
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G10

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G10

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$330 with 14-42mm lens

Movie format Shoots movies
Autofocus Video autofocus
Size Larger
Thickness Thicker
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$1,125 with 14-45mm lens

Movie format Shoots movies
Autofocus Video autofocus
Viewfinder No viewfinder
Lowest price More expensive
Olympus PEN E-PL1

Olympus PEN E-PL1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$260 - $279 with 14-42mm lens

Image stabilization Image stabilization
Movie format Shoots movies
Screen size Significantly smaller screen
Screen resolution Lower resolution screen

appearance

Nikon D3100 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1
Nikon D3100 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1
Nikon D3100 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1

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