• APS-C 323.4mm2
  • 12.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400

Buy From

Differences

Canon T3 advantages over Nikon D7100

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.15 vs 3.92 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Lighter weight
    702g vs 1222g
    Lighter weight
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Nikon D7100 advantages over Canon T3

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Better color depth
    24.2 vs 21.9 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,256 vs 755 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    13.7 vs 11.0 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 950 vs 700 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    158 mm vs 88 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More cross-type AF points
    15 vs 1
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Higher-res screen
    307k vs 77k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.63x vs 0.50x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    24.1 vs 12.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • More AF points
    51 vs 9
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.8 fps vs 2.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    5.3 fps vs 2.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    5 vs 3 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D7100

Review Excerpt

  • Well-considered ergonomics and control layout; Solid build; Good image quality; Great battery life; High-def movie capture.

  • Frame rate and burst depth not the best, especially for raw; Weak flash for an SLR; No sensor cleaning function; No spot metering.

  • Solid, ergonomic body design; Stunning, highly detailed photos, thanks to 24.1MP sensor upgrade and removal of optical low-pass filter; Cool 1.3x crop mode extends reach to nearly 2x the full-frame equivalent; Records Full 1080p HD video at up to 30fps with full-time AF; Many pro-level features packed into a consumer-friendly body at reasonable price.

  • Shallow buffer that hampers continuous burst shooting; AF slightly slower than average for its class; No real-time aperture control while in Movie mode (among other quirks); More noticeable moire patterns and aliasing artifacts (but only found when shooting fabrics with strong, distinct patterns).

The Competition

Compared to Canon 70D

Canon T3
Canon 70D
  • $199
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
Nikon D7100
Canon 70D
  • $695
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Sony DSLR-A230

Canon T3
Sony DSLR-A230
  • $199
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Nikon D7100
Sony DSLR-A230
  • $695
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Nikon D3100

Canon T3
Nikon D3100
  • $199
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Higher effective ISO
Nikon D7100
Nikon D3100
  • $695
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Lighter weight

Compared to Sony A37

Canon T3
Sony A37
  • $199
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Nikon D7100
Sony A37
  • $695
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Pentax K-3

Canon T3
Pentax K-3
  • $199
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Nikon D7100
Pentax K-3
  • $695
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Compare Other Cameras?