• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 15.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • APS-C 355.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Detailed specifications
  • Canon EOS 50D
  • Nikon D3100
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Nikon D3100 webpage
Predecessor: Canon 40D
40D vs 50D
 
Successor: Canon 60D
50D vs 60D
Nikon D3200
D3100 vs D3200
General
Model Number: 50D D3100
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Pro SLR SLR
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $1399.00 $699.95
Street Price: $999.95  
Date Available: 2008-10-15 2010-09-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 29.0 oz (822 g)
includes batteries
27.4 oz (777 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 5.7 x 4.2 x 2.9 in.
(146 x 108 x 74 mm)
4.9 x 3.8 x 2.9 in.
(125 x 97 x 74 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Canon  
Effective Megapixels: 15.1 14.2
Sensor Format: APS-C APS-C
Sensor size: 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm) 355.74mm2 (23.10mm x 15.40mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 4.99 microns 5.01 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.6x 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 63 67
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 21.8 22.5
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 11.4 11.3
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 696 919
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4752 x 3168 (15.1 MP, 3:2),
3456 x 2304 (8.0 MP, 3:2),
2352 x 1568 (3.7 MP, 3:2)
4608 x 3072 (14.2 MP, 3:2),
3456 x 2304 (8.0 MP, 3:2),
2304 x 1536 (3.5 MP, 3:2)
Image File Format: JPEG, 14-bit RAW, sRAW1, sRAW2 JPEG (EXIF 2.21), RAW (12-bit .NEF), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 6.3 2.9
Video Capture
Can take movies: No Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (24)
1280x720 (30/​25/​24)
640x424 (24)
Movie File Format:   MOV H.264/MPEG-4
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: Yes No
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Canon EF/EF-S Nikon F
Lens: Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Nikkor AF-S DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 45 - 216mm 27 - 83mm
Focal Length (actual): 28 - 135mm 18 - 55mm
Zoom Ratio: 4.82x 3.00x
Aperture Range: f/3.5-22 (W), f/5.6-36 (T) f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - 38 (T)
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 50 cm to Infinity
19.7 in to Infinity
28 cm to Infinity
11.0 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: 72.0mm 52.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom: No
Digital Zoom Values:   n/a
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: AF-dedicated CMOS Sensor, 9 cross-type AF points, f/2.8 rotated cross center point Nikon Multi-CAM 1000 11-Area Phase Detection, 1 cross-type, 9 line-type
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD Optical / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentaprism, 95% coverage, 0.95x mag., 22mm eyepoint. -3 to +1 diopter SLR type; eye-level pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.80x mag., 18mm eyepoint, -1.7 to +0.5 diopter
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.59x 0.53x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.95x 0.80x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 920,000 dots 230,000 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 10.0x 27.0x
Top Deck Display: Yes No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 3200 3200
Minimum ISO (native): 100 100
ISO Settings: Auto, 100 - 3200 in 1/3 or 1EV steps, H1=6400, H2=12800 100 - 3,200; expandable to 12800
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom, Kelvin 2800K - 10,000K Auto, Incandescent, Fluorescent (7 types), Direct Sunlight, Flash, Cloudy, Shade, Preset Manual;all except Preset Manual with fine tuning
Shutter Speed Range: 1/8000 - 30 sec 1/4000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 35-zone Evaluative, Center-weighted, Partial (9%), Spot (3.8%) 420 segment 3D color matrix metering II, color matrix metering II, center-weighted, spot (3.5mm)
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Creative Auto, Green Zone, Portrait, Landscape, Close-up, Action, Night Portrait, Flash Off, User1, User2 Portrait, Landscape, Child, Sports, Close up, Night portrait
Self Timer: 10 or 2 seconds 10 or 2 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: E-TTL II Red-Eye Reduction, Red-Eye Reduction with Slow Sync, Slow Sync, Rear-Curtain Sync.
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 13.0 m / 42.7 ft. 12.0 m / 39.4 ft.
Flash Range Description: Lens aperture dependent Lens dependent
Max Flash Sync: 1/250 1/200
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps -3 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot Shoe, PC Sync ISO hot shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: CF1 / CF2 SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: 14-bit RAW, sRAW1, sRAW2 RAW (12-bit .NEF), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format:   MOV H.264/MPEG-4
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional Optional, MC-DC2 corded
Connections (extended): N3-type push-in terminal, HDMI mini out Type C mini-HDMI with CEC, Accessory Terminal (MC-DC2 remote cord or GP-1 GPS unit)
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): <0.3 0.55
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): <0.3 0.54
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): Unlimited Unlimited
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 6.3 2.9
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 43 100
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):    
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):    
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.13 seconds 0.28 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.120 seconds 0.200 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.24 seconds 0.30 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.063 seconds 0.117 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Live View: Full AF, Quick Mode: 0.85s Prefocus, Quick Mode: 0.108s Full AF, Face Detect: 1.97s Full AF, Live Mode: 2.06s Live View: Full AF lag (AF-S or AF-F) = 1.5s Prefocused lag = 0.479s
Startup Time: 0.3 seconds 0.4 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.5 seconds 0.3 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 1.9 seconds 3.5 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):    
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 640 shots 550 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary BP-511/A, BP-512; BG-E2N Battery Grip Proprietary EN-EL14
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeble Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary BP-511A Lithium-ion rechargeble 1 x Proprietary EN-EL14 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software: Digital Photo Professional, EOS Utility, ZoomBrowser EX and ImageBrowser Nikon Software Suite CD-ROM
OS Compatibility: Windows XP/Vista, Mac OS X. Windows, Mac OS
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: 15.1-megapixel upgrade to 40D: APS-C, DIGIC IV, 920K LCD, HDMI Out, Vignetting Correction, AF Microadjustment for up to 20 lenses, new Creative Auto exposure mode, 4-step adjustable high-ISO NR, 4-step adjustable ALO, 6.3 fps, Face Detection in LV mode. Native ISO range, 1/3 stop adjustable up to 3,200. H1 is 6,400, H2 is 12,800. Variable RAW (15.1MP (L), 7.1MP(M), 3.8MP(S) in RAW). 1080p HD movies, Quiet Shutter mode, new full-time AF in Movie mode.