• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 14.7 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 355.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200

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Differences

Canon G10 advantages over Nikon D3100

  • Less expensive
    $500 vs $700 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Thinner
    45 mm vs 74 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/500 vs 1/200 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • More dots on screen
    461k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 100 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Nikon D3100 advantages over Canon G10

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/1.7 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.01 vs 1.72 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.40 vs 2.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Better color depth
    22.5 vs 19.0 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    919 vs 156 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    11.2 vs 10.0 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 550 vs 400 shots
    Capture more photos
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.28 vs 0.57 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    2.9 fps vs 1.4 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

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
  • 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSLR-A380

Canon G10
Sony DSLR-A380
  • $450
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Integrated ND filter
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Nikon D3100
Sony DSLR-A380
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Canon G11

Canon G10
Canon G11
  • $450
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Manual focus
  • More pixels
  • $577
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Tiltable Screen
Nikon D3100
Canon G11
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $577
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Sony A33

Canon G10
Sony A33
  • $450
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Nikon D3100
Sony A33
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Nikon P7000

Canon G10
Nikon P7000
  • $450
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Fast startup
  • Manual focus
  • $400
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • More telephoto lens reach
Nikon D3100
Nikon P7000
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $400
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Canon G12

Canon G10
Canon G12
  • $450
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Fast startup
  • Manual focus
  • $854
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Tiltable Screen
Nikon D3100
Canon G12
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $854
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
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